Does a home warranty cover furnaces?
Check furnace coverage to avoid costly surprises later.
Getting a good home warranty plan is an excellent way to save money on home appliance and system repairs and replacements. That’s good news since replacing a furnace can cost $2,817 to $6,812. The problem is that some things aren’t included in every home warranty plan. Often, furnaces are one of those items. Here’s what you need to know before your furnace needs work.
Home warranty plans can cover furnaces.
Jump to insightDon’t confuse HVAC and furnace coverage.
Jump to insightYour plan may not cover your furnace if it is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Jump to insightWhat furnace services does a home warranty cover?
Furnaces last around 13 to 15 years, so chances are, you’ll need to replace at least one while owning your home. Some home warranties cover furnace repair and replacement, but not all of them. It’s important to look over your contract to ensure it includes furnaces in your plan. When a home warranty company covers furnaces, it often includes baseboard heaters, ductwork, and other components of the furnace system.
Most home warranty companies do cover HVAC, but HVACs and furnaces are two different types of heating systems. Just because a home warranty plan covers HVAC, don’t assume it covers furnaces.
Potential exclusions to furnace home warranty coverage
Even if your home warranty plan covers furnaces, some limitations and exclusions may get your claim denied. Be sure to look for these stipulations in your contract.
Some things that may not be covered include:
- Pellet or wood furnaces
- Repairs not caused by normal wear and tear
- Repairing or replacing fuel tanks
- Repairing or replacing pipes that are not inside your home
- Cosmetic repairs
- Repairs made by an unauthorized technician
- Furnaces that are still under a manufacturer’s warranty
Your contract may also include coverage caps. This means the home warranty company will repair or replace your furnace up to a certain amount. After reaching that cap, you’ll be responsible for additional costs.
What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover furnaces
If your home warranty plan doesn’t cover furnaces, you may be able to add it as an a la carte option. If not, check to see if any higher-tier plans cover them.
Another option is to check your furnace’s manufacturer’s warranty. You may be able to get repairs or a replacement without filing a home warranty claim.
FAQ
What does a home warranty cover?
Home warranties usually cover large appliances, built-in microwaves, water heaters and systems like HVACs, plumbing, ductwork, pool heaters and well pumps. Some plans also cover additional items like pest control, septic systems, central vacuums, sump pumps and more.
What is typically included in a home warranty base package?
Home warranty plans typically include common home appliances and systems. Many base packages include built-in microwaves, ovens, dryers, washing machines, refrigerators, HVAC, pool pumps and more.
Do home warranties cover carbon monoxide?
Your home warranty will probably fix or replace the appliance or system causing the carbon monoxide problem, but it has to be covered in your contract.
Bottom line
While not all home warranties cover furnaces, it’s not hard to find a good company that does. Just be sure to look for limitations and caps in your home warranty plan’s contract to be sure you’re fully covered.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Cinch Home Services, “Do Home Warranties Cover Furnace Replacement or Repair?” Accessed March 14, 2024.
