Extended Warranttees, Air Conditioning etc.

[Paul T]

I'm about to pass up the opportunity to purchase and extended warrantee on my Air Conditioning and Heating installation. It's a bit pricy so I'm wondering if any of you have heard of a statistical failure rate on new installations. What’s the maximum some of you have paid for A/C service without a extended warrantee?

[villages07]

Paul,

I rarely buy extended warranties...but 10 years full parts and labor on my Trane heat/AC for $600 seemed like a no-brainer. But, the company that installed my system (Del-Air) first quoted me over $800. I had heard that Munns charged $600. $800 was too much...$600 seemed pretty fair. So, I called Munn's and arranged it through them (it is a manufacturer's warranty). This info is from 2 years ago on a house with gas heat and electric AC.

The heat side is not a big deal here. But, we run our A/C continuously from May til October. I fully expect to have at least one service call that will recoup the 'investment'.

For awhile in 2005-2007, many of the Trane A/Cs were experiencing a coil failure. If you were anywhere outside the first year or two of service, depending on the vendor, your out of pocket costs could have been significant. Hopefully, they've fixed this defect in later models.

Just some thoughts....

[downeaster]

I'm about to pass up the opportunity to purchase and extended warranty on my Air Conditioning and Heating installation. It's a bit pricey so I'm wondering if any of you have heard of a statistical failure rate on new installations. What’s the maximum some of you have paid for A/C service without a extended warranty?

Regardless of the statistical failure rate, if your unit fails you are looking at a big bill. I bought a 10 year warranty seven years ago and have not needed it yet. I won't regret it if I never use it. I purchased peace of mind along with that warranty.
If you do not purchase a warranty, have it serviced twice a year.

[dadspet]

When I first heard about the extended warranty and the price I said NO WAY! Then through some casual conversation several people mentioned their Trane AC went after only a few years and they had a big repair bill. That changed my mind and I bit the bullet. Hope I don't have to use it, I think?:shrug:
I think I paid more than $600 from Munns in Aug of this year???

[Paul T]

OK, after more consideration I may purchase an extended warrantee but now the question of “Do you get what you pay for” comes up. Yes, it’s a manufacturers warrantee but you need annual maintenance to keep it effective. Del-Air installed the unit in our place and Munn’s has been mentioned as an alternative. Any problems with either from a annual service standpoint etc.? And yes there are price differentials. That’s why I’m a bit concerned about the quality of service. The Del-Air folks that have checked our unit during the first year’s home warrantee have been very professional IMHO.

[JohnN]

who exactly offers the A/C extended warranty?? I don't recall reading anything about this other than this thread? thanks

[BarryB]

I have carrier a/c and heating. The sun Cool Company maintains it. The rep was here a couple of days ago. I've been told by friends it a god idea to get the 10 year warranty ($800)and I will. There are other thing that were offered but will pass on those

[Bogie Shooter]

I have the ten year with Munns. Had one problem and would have been about $200. You do have to have the yearly check that costs$69.95 but know the unit is working properly. But over the ten years you more that double the cost. I'm satisfied.

[golfnut]

Anyone know what it costs to replace the unit if it fails (ballpark of course, I know different size houses have different size units, let's start with a 1500 sf house)?....GN

[Bogie Shooter]

Anyone know what it costs to replace the unit if it fails (ballpark of course, I know different size houses have different size units, let's start with a 1500 sf house)?....GN
Why not call your company?
or do you want a number $1500 to $5000.

[bargee]

Just had to replace our 9 year old Trane compressor(leaking coil)Could have replaced the coil only for 900.00.Decided to replace the complete outside unit as we vacation for a couple of months in the summer and I didn't want any surprises.Total cost 2300.00(ouch)Munns did the job.

[Skip]

My understanding is the the Trane units come with a 10 year parts warranty already. So a 10 year extended warranty only gets you labor coverage. BTW Munns is one of the highest priced a/c service companies and DeSantis is the most deceptive.

Skip

[Bogie Shooter]

Skip, you are right about the parts,(see below) my extended warranty was already a part of the purchase price of my home.

Limited manufacturer’s warranties


A limited warranty is the warranty provided by the manufacturer. It's called "limited" because it's typically limited to a specific length of time and to specific items that it covers.

For instance, Trane’s XLi models leave the factory with a 10-year limited warranty on all functional parts. If a Trane air handler, coil or thermostat is installed at the same time as part of a complete XLi system, it too is covered by a 10-year limited warranty.

Through an agreement with Trane and its distributors, our independent dealers cover labor for at least one year after installation. Our highest-efficiency outdoor units are covered for two years.

What does this mean to you? If you purchased an XLi outdoor unit, the internal functional parts, compressor and outdoor coil are covered by our Manufacturer's Limited Warranty for 10 years and labor is covered by your dealer for two years. Since labor costs can be high and continue to rise, you should consider upgrading your Manufacturer's Limited Warranty to an Extended Warranty (see below) in order to cover labor for the remaining 8 years.

A heating and air conditioning system is a major purchase, so you'll want to make sure you fully understand the Manufacturer's Limited Warranty before you buy. Ask your dealer what the Manufacturer's Limited Warranty covers for the model(s) you've selected and if upgrading it with an Optional Extended Warranty is right for you.

[billethkid]

the compressor which has been placed second by the expense of some of the electronic circuit boards in the unit. Before you jump out and buy the extended warranty make sure you understand all the component coverage...some are individually warranted longer than the overall warranty.

In my opinion the biggest threat to A/C failures here in TV is lightning.
The statistics are on the side of the insuring company....if they were not they would not be pushing to get you to buy.

Statistically one is usually better off rejecting the extended warranty on almost anything.

Good luck in your decision making...it is an individual comfort type decision hence no wrong answer.

BTK

[Skip]

Some A/C service companies are not telling homeowners that the unit is covered by a 10 year parts warranty and are charging the customer to replace it. Anyone that paid for a compressor of coil recently should check to see if you got taken by the service company. We know of two that did that.

Skip

[bargee]

You are correct in that the newer units have ten year limited coverage.However our unit was 9 years old and only had two year coverage per Trane.com.

[rsetterlund]

Does anyone have the phone number for Munns? Sun Cool installed my Carrier unit. I had one meeting with them as a new owner and was very under impressed. I have read a number of postings with Munns in them. Sun Cool offered to upgrade the thermostat for $325. I found it on the internet for $140. I will purchase and am looking for someone to install. I can do it, but not down there. The thermostat I found has a humidistat built in.

[steaknife]

Coil went out in the patio villa. They fixed it temporarily while waiting for the part. The new coil was covered by warranty, but the labor was about $650 total. They were there a long time both times. We will be getting the warranty on our new house!

[Skip]

Try M&S. That's who the developer uses on rental units for service because they are more reasonable with their service charges than Munns. I've never had a problem with them.

Skip

[Ice Cold]

The best value is from Sun Kool AC

they have the Kool Club Plus
which packages maintenance, extended warranty and a surge protector

it gives you the complete package

the techs are clean, professional and courteous

some other companies charge less for maintenance but they dont do a full heating and cooling tune up
make sure you check on exactly what you get and exactly what is covered
there are a lot of flim flam AC companies out there

my two cents ;)

[Frangyomory]

I would strongly suggest you reconsider. We have lived here a little over three years and recently had a major part breakdown on our a/c. The actual cost to repair was over $800 but we paid nothing due to our having the extended warranty.

We don't buy warranties for appliances but for heating and a/c you would be wise to consider.

We found out the cost because our warranty company notified us by letter exactly what they paid to the repair company and exactly what they said was wrong with our a/c.

Just mho for your consideration.

[Frangyomory]

We have had Munns since the beginning in July 2005 and could not be happier.