Best Home Warranties for HVAC

Our picks for the best home warranties with HVAC coverage:

• Best overall: First American Home Warranty
• Best customer service: Cinch Home Services
• Best value: Old Republic Home Warranty
• Best plan variety: American Home Shield

Compare top HVAC home warranty plans

Compare our picks for the top HVAC home warranty plans:

Our home warranty picks for HVAC

Buyers guide to HVAC warranty coverage

If your HVAC system is no longer covered by the manufacturer, you may be concerned about high repair or replacement costs if your HVAC breaks down. For around $30 to $90 per month for coverage, home warranties for HVAC systems generally cover major components, such as central air conditioning, heating systems and ductwork components like condensers, burners and thermostats.

What does a home warranty cover for HVAC?

A home warranty for HVAC covers major heating, cooling and ventilation components that fail due to normal wear and tear. The exact components and conditions that are covered vary by provider and plan.

Cooling systems typically covered

The cooling systems that are typically covered with home warranty plans include:

• Central air conditioning systems
• Built-in wall units
• Mini-split systems
• Geothermal systems
• Water-source systems
• Evaporative (swamp) coolers

Heating and ventilation systems typically covered

The heating and ventilation systems that are typically covered include:

• Centrally ducted gas, electric, oil or gravity heating systems
• Furnaces
• Heat pumps
• Steam, hydronic or hot-water heating systems
• Geothermal and water-source heating systems
• Ductwork (often with limits)
• Thermostats (coverage varies by provider)

What does a home warranty for HVAC not cover?

A home warranty for HVAC typically does not cover preexisting conditions or damage caused by weather, natural disasters or improper maintenance, among other aspects.

Common HVAC exclusions

Common HVAC exclusions include:

• Preexisting conditions present before coverage began
• Damage caused by weather or natural disasters
• Issues caused by insufficient or improper maintenance
• Outside or underground piping
• Legally required testing, permits or inspections
• Modifications or upgrades required during a repair (such as code upgrades or relocating equipment)
• Window or portable AC units

HVAC coverage limits to watch for

When comparing plans, there are certain HVAC coverage limits and caps to watch for, such as:

• Per-item caps: There are often per-item caps of $1,500 to $3,000 per HVAC component, though some plans offer higher or unlimited caps.
• Annual aggregate limits: This is the maximum amount the plan will pay per year for repairs or replacements.
• Labor vs. parts limits: Some plans cap labor or parts separately.
• Refrigerant (Freon) caps: This is often limited or excluded entirely from plans.
• Ductwork limits: Coverage may exclude repairs that require structural modifications to ductwork.

Compare HVAC coverage by provider

Comparing HVAC coverage by provider will help you determine which components are covered. Not all providers cover the same components, and some benefits may require add-ons.

Here’s how our picks for the best home warranties for HVAC compare in terms of which HVAC components they cover:

How much does a home warranty for HVAC cost?

How much a home warranty for HVAC costs depends on the plan you choose, but home warranties with HVAC coverage typically cost around $350 to $900 a year, or about $30 to $90 per month.

On top of the plan cost, you’ll usually pay a service fee every time a technician is sent to your home. Service fees typically range from $75 to $150. A lower monthly premium may come with higher service fees or stricter coverage caps, so it’s important to compare the total potential cost and not just the upfront price.

HVAC repair and replacement costs

In addition to plan costs, it also helps to think about typical HVAC repair and replacement costs since home warranty plans may not cover every component or may only cover up to a certain dollar amount per year.

Here are some typical repair and replacement cost estimates for various HVAC systems and components:

HVAC maintenance considerations for home warranties

Home warranty coverage often depends on proper HVAC system maintenance. Failing to meet maintenance requirements can lead to denied claims.

To protect your eligibility:

• Follow manufacturer and provider maintenance guidelines.
• Keep service and maintenance records in case a claim is questioned.
• Know what routine maintenance you’re allowed to do yourself, such as changing air filters.
• Review your plan’s maintenance requirements so you understand what’s expected.

Regional considerations

Climate plays a big role in HVAC maintenance, according to John Gabrielli, the owner of Air Temp Solutions, an HVAC company in Delaware.

“In the mid-Atlantic region, we see humidity swings, freezing winters and hot summers,” Gabrielli said. “These giant swings strain equipment because it’s one end of the spectrum to the other.”

How where you live affects your HVAC system

Different weather patterns and climates can affect your HVAC system. For example:

• Eastern regions: High humidity can lead to mold growth, clogged condensation lines and heavier AC loads.
• Northern regions: Freezing winters can cause pipes to burst from ice and furnace parts work overtime.
• Coastal regions: Salt in the air can corrode metal faster.
• Western and southern regions: Hot and dry climates can strain AC systems and cause foundation stress from soil shifts.

How to choose an HVAC home warranty plan

Here are some tips to help you choose an HVAC home warranty plan:

1. Evaluate your needs

Evaluate your needs for a home warranty plan by assessing your current HVAC system’s age, condition and any recurring issues. Note that older systems might require more comprehensive coverage than newer systems.

2. Research home warranty companies

Research home warranty companies by reading customer reviews, checking their ratings and comparing their coverage options. Make sure the plans you’re interested in cover essential HVAC components like air conditioning, heating and ductwork. Also, check that the warranty provider has a reliable network of qualified HVAC technicians in your area.

Check coverage caps, add-on requirements and service call fees before choosing a plan.

3. Compare quotes and fine print

Collect and compare quotes from at least three home warranty companies that you researched so you can compare plan prices and service fees. It also helps to review the fine print, such as sample contracts and exclusions. Look for claim limits, replacement caps, cancellation terms and how disputes are handled before you sign up.

4. Choose a plan

Choose the provider and plan that offers the best balance between affordability and comprehensive coverage.

When a home warranty for HVAC is worth it

A home warranty for HVAC can be worth it if your manufacturer’s warranty has expired, your HVAC system is 10 years old or older or if you live in a region where HVAC systems run frequently due to extreme temperatures.

A home warranty may also be worth it if you are able to budget for a home warranty plan payment each month, but you wouldn’t be able to cover a large and unexpected HVAC repair or replacement out of pocket.

For example, a home warranty plan typically costs around $350 to $900 per year, while it typically costs anywhere from $100 to $1,500 to repair an HVAC system and $3,000 to $40,000 to replace an entire system. So, a single repair or replacement could make the cost of a home warranty worth it.

However, a home warranty for HVAC may not be worth it if your system is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or is new or was recently installed. It’s also generally not worth purchasing if you’re able to pay for major repairs out of pocket.

FAQ

Methodology

To find the best home warranty companies for HVAC coverage, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a data-driven approach guided by our expert editors.

We researched 49 home warranty companies and scored them using measurable criteria grouped into two main categories:

1. Key home warranty company features

Companies earned higher scores for offering:

• Multiple plans with HVAC coverage
• High coverage limits for heating systems
• High coverage limits for air conditioning
• High coverage limits for ductwork

2. Customer satisfaction metrics

We conducted sentence-by-sentence sentiment analysis of thousands of verified reviews to measure customer satisfaction with:

• Service technicians
• Customer service
• Coverage
• Punctuality and speed
• Pricing
• Refunds and payouts
• Claims handling

Each company received a score from zero to 10 for every metric, with 10 awarded to the top performer in that category. Metrics are weighted differently for each award calculation.

The company with the highest score in each category’s uniquely weighted formula was given the “Our pick for” designation. In some cases where a single company received the top score across multiple categories, the company with the second-highest score was named the winner.