“Buyer beware.” “Not worth the paper it’s written on.” Those are just a couple of negative things you might hear about warranties. While there is some truth behind those scare tactics, when you deal with a reputable HVAC company like Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, a warranty should be looked at as a good thing.
PART OF THE BUYING PROCESS
A warranty is especially important when you are buying and installing a new air conditioner or heating system. The key is to make sure you really understand the wording and what it means. Here are a few key tidbits to keep in mind:
The term of a warranty is simply how long it lasts.
Air conditioners and furnaces typically last 15-20 years, so a warranty that lasts only a couple of years doesn’t amount to much coverage. Look for a manufacturer’s agreement with a longer term but always know exactly what is covered. Many times the warranty will only pay for parts, but not the labor of the repair service. A reputable HVAC dealer will often cover labor for at least part of the warranty period.
Not all parts are created equal when it comes to warranties.
Major components such as AC compressors and furnace heat exchangers should be covered for a longer period of time than other parts. Some will even carry a lifetime guarantee, but again it may not cover the labor charge to install the new parts.
Extended warranties are often available.
They can come from the dealer or the manufacturer. Before plunking down the money make sure you know what is covered. Some questions to ask:
- When does the extended warranty coverage begin?
- Will repair service for warranty service be prioritized or will you be the low person on the totem pole?
- How long has the provider been in business? An extended warranty does you no good if the company is no longer around.
Read the fine print about how the warranty can be voided.
An innocent and minor mistake can void the entire warranty leaving you to foot the entire repair service bill. Some examples include:
- Using someone other than a certified licensed contractor to install the unit or make repairs.
- Failing to register the HVAC system and the warranty with the manufacturer in the required amount of time. NOTE: A reputable HVAC contractor will ALWAYS help with this process.
- Using replacement parts not approved by the manufacturer.
- Failing to schedule annual maintenance by a properly trained professional technician.
A HISTORY OF QUALITY SERVICE
So yes, those scary warnings at the beginning of this article should be taken seriously, but I assure you Kotz Heating, Cooling and Plumbing has been putting the needs of our customers in Waterford, MI and Oxford, MI first since 1929. We are proud of the warranties and guarantees we offer, as well as those provided by the manufacturers of the equipment we sell.
