How To Get Your Home Warranty To Replace The AC Unit?

Does A Home Warranty Provide Complete AC Replacement?

Home warranties offer repair and replacement of components of HVAC systems, not the complete unit. When your air conditioner malfunctions or breaks down, you can contact your warranty provider, and they’ll send a technician for an inspection. You can also call a technician of your preference (if your provider allows it). The warranty provider will cover the replacement or repair cost of components mentioned in the agreement. However, you need to pay the deductibles or service call fees that may range from $75 to $150.

A home warranty will cover the following components of an AC:

• Evaporator coil
• Compressor
• Condenser unit
• Blower motor
• Capacitors
• Ductwork
• Split AC parts
• Thermostats
• Split & packaged unit
• Geothermal
• Wall mounted units
• Heat pump

Though these components are covered by most warranty companies, some don’t include them in their coverage lists. You can find the details of your company’s coverage in the contract.

Note: In cases of malfunctioning of multiple components, some warranty providers offer replacement of the entire unit, but they usually bring a low-end product as a replacement. They try to get a unit that falls under their coverage cap. When the unit’s price is more than the coverage limit, the customer has to pay the excess amount.

When Will The Company Replace Your AC Unit?

When covered systems malfunction or break down, you can call the provider for a replacement. But, the decision to replace the HVAC system is at the company’s discretion.

Home warranty companies offer replacement under the following conditions:

• The components are beyond repair. 
• The cost of repairing the part(s) exceeds the coverage limit or unit’s price. 
• Failure of multiple components because of age 
• When a component or the unit becomes dangerous (explosive, inflammable, toxic gas leak)

You have to remember that the provider will cover the expenses up to their coverage limit, whether it’s repair or replacement. The homeowners are expected to pay for out-of-pocket expenses, including the service call fee.

Note: Usually, home warranty companies prefer repairs over replacement, as it costs them less.

Can The Company Deny Replacing My AC Unit?

Yes, the company can deny your replacement claim. There are two major reasons for denying the replacement of your regular or window AC. First, for the parts not covered under the warranty; and second, for specific reasons mentioned under your warranty contract.

Home warranty companies don’t cover the following parts of an air conditioner:

• Outside or underground piping for geothermal and water source heat pump
• Window units
• Water towers
• Gas AC ductwork
• Electric air cleaner/filter
• Humidifiers
• Chillers and water lines
• Energy management systems

Below are some of the components that are not covered by some of the top warranty companies.

• Well pump components
• Water evaporator coils
• Roof mount, jack stand and support
• Register and grills
• Non-ducted wall-units
• Cooler pads
• Drain pans
• Dampers
• Freon leaks and damages

Your claim will be denied for the following reasons as well:

• Issues other than normal wear and tear (e.g., damage due to a power surge) 
• Breakdown due to poor maintenance 
• Modification. For example, when you replace parts of an old AC, the new parts may need more space and power. Because of this, you will have to modify the unit for proper functioning.
• Problems caused by fire, weather, or a natural calamity.

What is the AC Replacement Process?

The homeowners need to follow certain steps to get their AC replaced. And this section will help you understand the process involved in it The procedure for claiming AC replacement is the same as for all systems, and the steps involved are listed below:

• The procedure starts when you call customer support and pay the service call fee.
• The company will assign a licensed contractor or technician for the inspection of your unit.
• After the inspection, the technician will inform the company about the faulty part. If that part/component is also covered under the warranty, he’ll fix it. 
• If the technician suggests a replacement of a component or the unit because it is beyond the repair option, the company will offer a replacement. In some cases, the company may offer a reimbursement instead of replacing the unit.