If you’re familiar with the sultry summer weather in Richmond, TX, you know that nothing beats a good AC system. Your HVAC system is one of the most useful appliances in your home, administering temperature control so that your house stays comfortable.
If your AC breaks while under warranty, you’ll probably breathe a sigh of relief. Not so fast, though: You may have voided your warranty without realizing it, meaning that you’ll be on the hook for the cost of repairs.
What voids an HVAC warranty? If you want to learn more about the fine print of your average warranty for HVAC systems, consider this brief explanation by BVS Home Experts, a leading AC and heating company in Richmond, TX.
What Are the Basics of an HVAC Warranty?
When you first purchased your HVAC system, it likely came with a warranty. Some HVAC manufacturers also allow you to buy warranties for longer periods.
Having a warranty for your HVAC system is smart, especially if you plan on staying in your house for an extended time. A good warranty can help cover any air conditioning repairs so that when you call in a licensed HVAC technician, you won’t need to pay for all of those costs out of pocket.
When you get an HVAC system, the manufacturer’s warranty will cover your unit for many years. Some warranties cover it for only five to 10 years, while others endure for the system’s lifetime unless voided. Another warranty you can get for your HVAC system is a labor warranty, which covers the labor for any service you need throughout your system’s lifetime.
Four Mistakes That Can Accidentally Void Your HVAC Warranty in Richmond, TX
When you install your HVAC system, paying attention to the kind of warranty you’re getting for your cooling and heating air units is very important. While there is a written assurance for your warranty, committing it to memory is a good way to keep tabs on what you should avoid. If you aren’t careful, you can make a handful of mistakes that may void your warranty.
1. Improper Installation
If you want your warranty to remain solid, you need to take special care to work with a verified contractor that ensures your installation is as close to perfect as possible. The proper training, experience, and licensing are essential to ensure that your system works how it’s supposed to once installed. If you have your system installed by an unlicensed contractor who doesn’t take the time and care to verify your installation, you may run the risk of having issues after your installation that require repairs.
If you choose to work with BVS Home Experts, you won’t need to worry about your technician since our team represents high-quality craftsmanship in the field. When you work with a professional HVAC technician, you don’t just ensure that your HVAC system is secure but that your warranty covers it for the foreseeable future.
2. Off-Brand Parts
If you use off-brand replacement parts, you could void your HVAC warranty even though you may save money during the replacement. While off-brand parts can be cheaper, they don’t hold up to the same quality as the rest of the unit. Ensuring that you get parts specifically made for your HVAC system can not only help it last longer but can ensure that your parts work well with the entire unit.
Mismatched and unauthorized parts are bad for your system, not because they actually cause malfunctions, but because they aren’t designed to work with your system in long-term situations. Unauthorized parts void your warranty because there’s no guarantee to your manufacturer that your off-brand parts will hold up as well as original parts, which means your system might need more frequent repairs.
3. A Lack of Maintenance
What voids HVAC warranty so often is a lack of regular maintenance. Not cleaning out your air filters, checking on weird smells, or addressing odd problems within your system doesn’t just have consequences for your HVAC machine’s long-term life but the warranty too.
Manufacturers recommend a maintenance check every few months and an air filter cleaning every three. At the very least, you should see a professional every year to ensure that everything within your HVAC system works correctly and is safe for your household.
This issue is so common because many homeowners ignore the HVAC unit after cleaning it, assuming they’re done with maintenance. However, if you live in a hot area like Richmond, Texas, odds are you use your HVAC system more than the average homeowner during the year. If you have multiple residents living in your home, your ductwork may have more dust in it than the average system.
4. Failing To Register Your Warranty
Did you know that in order to have coverage for your system, you need to register your warranty? This is possibly one of the most common reasons you’ll find a warranty is void—because it never existed in the first place. Depending on the manufacturer, you might have 30 to 90 days for registration, so register your warranty as soon as possible.
Consider BVS Home Experts For HVAC Installation in Richmond, TX
Now that you understand the key details behind the question, “What voids HVAC warranty?”, why not trust the professionals at BVS Home Experts with all your HVAC needs? Whether you want to inquire about what time of the year is the cheapest to buy an HVAC system replacement, or how to know when to clean your ductwork, our professionals in the business are happy to help Richmond residents.
We know that there’s no replacement for a good air conditioner in the heat of a Richmond summer, which is why we pride ourselves on speedy service when you need us the most. To schedule HVAC service, call us at 281-391-1510.
