Does a home warranty cover HVAC repair?

What HVAC services does a home warranty cover?

Home warranties usually cover various appliances and systems, including HVAC. In these plans, home warranty companies cover the most common causes of breakdowns, such as leaks or worn-out parts.

Here are some other things covered by a home warranty:

• Plenums
• Leaks
• Breaks
• Registers
• Grills
• Thermostats
• Wiring
• Combustion chambers
• Heat exchangers
• Cooling or heat pump systems

Potential exclusions to HVAC home warranty coverage

Many home warranty plans have limitations and exclusions in their contracts, meaning the company won’t cover certain things. Most companies only cover damage due to normal wear and tear and exclude things like acts of God and cosmetic damage.

Here are some other items not usually covered by a home warranty:

• Inaccessible ductwork
• Dampers
• Filters
• Acts of God
• Energy management systems
• Geothermal piping
• Preexisting conditions
• Commercial units
• Chillers and chiller components
• Well pumps
• Water lines
• Cosmetic damage
• Interconnecting refrigerant lines
• Flues
• Liners
• Gas feed lines
• Pressure regulators
• Solar heating devices

Coverage caps

Usually, home warranties have coverage caps on HVAC systems, meaning the company will only cover parts and repairs up to a certain amount. If the costs of repairs exceed the limit, then you are responsible for the rest.

HVAC systems typically have a limit of $5,000 per claim. For example, if your system's repair cost was $5,350, you would have to pay the remaining $350.

What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover HVAC repair

If your home warranty doesn’t cover your HVAC system, you can usually switch to a plan that does. Homeowners and builders insurance also usually cover HVAC systems. However, homeowners insurance will only cover your HVAC system if the damage is from a disaster.

Your system may even have a five or ten-year manufacturer warranty. Many HVAC systems come with a warranty on parts and equipment, so it might be worth double-checking your policy.

Bottom line

Unexpected breakdowns in your HVAC system can leave you with an uncomfortable home and costly expenses. Replacing an HVAC system can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $34,000, and repairing it can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,200. However, having the best coverage with a home warranty plan can keep your system humming along for 15 to 25 years.