Common Mistakes That Can Void an HVAC Warranty

Your new HVAC system is backed up by a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty is more than just a piece of paper; it is a way to protect your investment, and it allows the manufacturer to help you maintain the system for several years to come.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize that common mistakes and oversights can void this warranty. Here are a few of those mistakes you should avoid.

Forgetting To Register Your New Furnace
After your new furnace is expertly installed, you will be provided with warranty information by the HVAC technician or through the furnace’s manufacturer. Registering your new furnace only takes a few minutes and is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment.

Depending on the manufacturer, failing to register your new furnace can shorten the warranty’s coverage, limit the coverage, or you can completely void the warranty. The manufacturer will ask for your name, address, the contractor or HVAC company’s name, the installation date, and the unit’s serial number and model number.

In some cases, you will need to provide this information within a certain time frame, such as six months to one year after the unit is originally installed. Many manufacturers offer online registration, which makes this process even simpler.

Hiring an Unqualified Technician To Install the System
Your HVAC system is comprised of several top-of-the-line components and is tricky to install correctly. This is why the manufacturer will insist a qualified, licensed HVAC technician install your new furnace. If something goes wrong and you wind up hiring a professional to complete the job you started, any damage you caused or parts that were misplaced or broken will not be covered by the warranty.

Contact a licensed, experienced HVAC professional to help you purchase a furnace that fits your home’s needs and expertly install the unit. Putting this name on the warranty registration will ensure that your unit and its components are covered.

Looking for a qualified technician in Northern VA? C.B. Lucas is the team you can trust. Contact us today for service.

Forgoing Yearly Inspections and Regular Maintenance
Scheduling a yearly inspection allows an HVAC technician to pinpoint issues before they become a problem and ensures your system continues to run smoothly. Skipping this yearly inspection isn’t only placing your HVAC system’s efficiency in jeopardy, it can also affect your unit’s manufacturer’s warranty.

To continue receiving the benefits of the HVAC system’s warranty, the manufacturer will require you to schedule a yearly inspection. If any issues are discovered and a repair is necessary, a licensed professional will need to take on this task.

Throwing Away Receipts and Records
Maintaining a detailed record of when your HVAC system is serviced or inspected, who performed the inspection, and receipts or documentation of these inspections and repairs is a requirement of many HVAC manufacturers. When the repair is performed and you attempt to recoup any money you spend out of pocket, the manufacturer will ask for this documentation.

If you toss out the receipts, you will not be reimbursed. Depending on the repair, this could wind up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Installing Off-Brand Parts
If any components are faulty or require replacement or repair, purchasing parts directly from the furnace’s manufacturer and having them installed by a professional is not only the best option, it is the best way to ensure your warranty remains intact. Installing a part you pulled out of your old furnace or purchasing a part from an unauthorized online seller can void your warranty.

From failing to fill out the warranty card in a timely fashion to purchasing and installing aftermarket parts, there are several ways you can mistakenly void your furnace’s warranty. If you have any more questions, contact the professionals at C.B. Lucas.