What to say to Home Warranty (not TV) people

[paulat585]

Hi, My home warranty people conducted my yearly HVAC inspection today. The tech found that oil/coolant had leaked and that the leak couldn't be repaired & that it had frozen & then thawed. It had leaked on my new filter, saturating it. The tech called the office and was told to add coolant(?) to the system and to advise me to wait until it "had issues" as they would not repair/replace it now. He did this and said it took 2 pounds (?) in an 8 pound system. The brand is Carrier.

In the past this warranty company has been cooperative. My questions:

1. Do I need to wait until it starts having issues to call them
2. What do I say to avoid the run around with them.
Thanks, Paula

[CarlR33]

Who/what company is your home warranty? I assume you’re talking about one you purchase and pay monthly for like American Home Shield?

[BrianL99]

Hi, My home warranty people conducted my yearly HVAC inspection today. The tech found that oil/coolant had leaked and that the leak couldn't be repaired & that it had frozen & then thawed. It had leaked on my new filter, saturating it. The tech called the office and was told to add coolant(?) to the system and to advise me to wait until it "had issues" as they would not repair/replace it now. He did this and said it took 2 pounds (?) in an 8 pound system. The brand is Carrier.

In the past this warranty company has been cooperative. My questions:

1. Do I need to wait until it starts having issues to call them
2. What do I say to avoid the run around with them.
Thanks, Paula


You have issues now. The leak isn't going to repair itself, it's only going to get worse.

Dealing with Home Warranty companies is an adventure in itself. Good luck getting them to replace it.

[paulat585]

Who/what company is your home warranty? I assume you’re talking about one you purchase and pay monthly for like American Home Shield?
Broward Silver

[paulat585]

Thanks, that's what I thought.

[retiredguy123]

Never, never, never, buy a home warranty.

[PhilR]

Never, never, never, buy a home warranty.
Had a long & foster (conch) warranty at my beach home in DE. Initially provided by the listing agent when I bought the home.
New refrigerator
New heat pump
Roughly 7500 k paid out by Cinch
No lack of cooperation from Cinch

[tjlee500]

Get a 2nd opinion on leak if your unit is not too old. Leaks can be fixed but sometimes hard to find. Some tecks just don't want to spend the time. It may just be in the line or junctures which takes less time. If in coil, could take longer. Also, as how much for coild replacement if that's the issue. You could get a new unit but still have a leak if leak is in line, anywhere from Condensor to air handler.

[dewilson58]

Insure what you can not afford. Period.

Warranty "insurance" is a money maker for the firms.

[MikeN]

Just tell them the system no longer works properly and needs to be replaced A leak that can’t be fixed is a terminal failure

[retiredguy123]

Just tell them the system no longer works properly and needs to be replaced A leak that can’t be fixed is a terminal failure
I agree. But, the problem with a home warranty is that you are locked in to one company who makes the decision when a system needs to be replaced. They make more money by delaying replacement for as long as possible.

The solution is to fire the warranty company and hire one of the very competent HVAC companies who will allow you to decide when to replace the system. Another problem with home warranties is that the warranty company will never hire a local competent HVAC company because those companies will not share their profit with a warranty company.

[ithos]

If your unit was still cooling when the leak was discovered then it is a minor leak.

Almost all leaks can be repaired. The hardest to fix are on the cooling coil but there are methods to repair them. Even on the tubesheet.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fix+refrigerant+leak+on+coil

Can you post a picture of where the leak is?

[Sgt Ed]

If your unit was still cooling when the leak was discovered then it is a minor leak.

Almost all leaks can be repaired. The hardest to fix are on the cooling coil but there are methods to repair them. Even on the tubesheet.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fix+refrigerant+leak+on+coil

Can you post a picture of where the leak is?How old is the Unit? All AC units have a 10 year mfr. warranty.

[retiredguy123]

How old is the Unit? All AC units have a 10 year mfr. warranty.
Typically, a warranty company won't do any work on something that is under warranty.

[ithos]

How old is the Unit? All AC units have a 10 year mfr. warranty.

Great point. It can be checked online.
How to Check Your HVAC System's Warranty | Ambient Edge (https://www.ambientedge.com/maintenance/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-an-existing-warranty-on-my-hvac-system/#:~:text=The%20easiest%20way%20to%20double,informa tion%20should%20pop%20right%20up).

If the leak is large enough it is required to be repaired by federal law.
Stationary Refrigeration Leak Repair Requirements | US EPA (https://www.epa.gov/section608/stationary-refrigeration-leak-repair-requirements)

[retiredguy123]

Great point. It can be checked online.
How to Check Your HVAC System's Warranty | Ambient Edge (https://www.ambientedge.com/maintenance/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-an-existing-warranty-on-my-hvac-system/#:~:text=The%20easiest%20way%20to%20double,informa tion%20should%20pop%20right%20up).

If the leak is large enough it is required to be repaired by federal law.
Stationary Refrigeration Leak Repair Requirements | US EPA (https://www.epa.gov/section608/stationary-refrigeration-leak-repair-requirements)
The OP said it is a Carrier unit. You can copy the model number and serial number from the air handling unit in the garage. Then, you can go to the Carrier website and it will show you the exact status of the warranty. Most units in The Villages come with a 5-year labor and 10-year parts warranty. But, if anything is still under warranty, the home warranty company will not perform work on it.

[donfey]

Warranty.

Broward has a good reputation in the Northern Villages. They may be having parts issues after 2 hurricanes. I expect they'll make good. Just get everything form them in writing.

[Rocksnap]

Run to small claims court. Just filing the claim will probably get them to cover it immediately.
Can you see/reach where the leak is? It would be a shame it that got worse. Nudge nudge wink wink

[DAVES]

Hi, My home warranty people conducted my yearly HVAC inspection today. The tech found that oil/coolant had leaked and that the leak couldn't be repaired & that it had frozen & then thawed. It had leaked on my new filter, saturating it. The tech called the office and was told to add coolant(?) to the system and to advise me to wait until it "had issues" as they would not repair/replace it now. He did this and said it took 2 pounds (?) in an 8 pound system. The brand is Carrier.

In the past this warranty company has been cooperative. My questions:

1. Do I need to wait until it starts having issues to call them
2. What do I say to avoid the run around with them.
Thanks, Paula

My OPINION. It is a matter of TRUST. You can call another company for a second opinion. You will find they will bill you for a service call-roughly $100. For you to make that decision. They added Freon-the coolent gas. You should have gotten a written report. Measure xxxxxx added xxxxxxx.
Far as a leak. Like everything today, it is government regulated. IF, it is leaking beyond limits they cannot add more coolant. I had read average life is/was 14 years in the villages. Reminder you use it all year cooling and heating. Gossip, perhaps? They don't make em like they used to. A tech told me it is down from 14 to 11. A replacement will cost like 8,000 plus.

[SusanStCatherine]

Seniors vs Crime in The Villages (http://www.svcinthevillages.org)
Seniors vs Crime may be able to help. One call from them on your behalf can work wonders and they are volunteers - no cost to you. They are a division of the Attorney General's office so that's what they say when they call. Worked for me in several instances. Good luck!

[jimmy o]

Great point. It can be checked online.
How to Check Your HVAC System's Warranty | Ambient Edge (https://www.ambientedge.com/maintenance/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-an-existing-warranty-on-my-hvac-system/#:~:text=The%20easiest%20way%20to%20double,informa tion%20should%20pop%20right%20up).

If the leak is large enough it is required to be repaired by federal law.
Stationary Refrigeration Leak Repair Requirements | US EPA (https://www.epa.gov/section608/stationary-refrigeration-leak-repair-requirements)
The Federal law is only for units with 50 or more pounds of coolant. OP’s unit is an eight pounder.

[DAVES]

My OPINION. It is a matter of TRUST. You can call another company for a second opinion. You will find they will bill you for a service call-roughly $100. For you to make that decision. They added Freon-the coolent gas. You should have gotten a written report. Measure xxxxxx added xxxxxxx.
Far as a leak. Like everything today, it is government regulated. IF, it is leaking beyond limits they cannot add more coolant. I had read average life is/was 14 years in the villages. Reminder you use it all year cooling and heating. Gossip, perhaps? They don't make em like they used to. A tech told me it is down from 14 to 11. A replacement will cost like 8,000 plus.

Carrier, I've read,is no longer made in the US, it is made in Mexico. Trade wars? There was an article in Barrons,avail on line, that explains it well in plainspeak and they are not selling you something.

[HORNET]

Broward Gold would have replaced it

[paulat585]

Thanks, 12 years old. House built in 2011.

[paulat585]

Broward Gold would have replaced it

I tried to buy the Gold, but they wouldn't sell it to me.

[paulat585]

Seniors vs Crime in The Villages (http://www.svcinthevillages.org)
Seniors vs Crime may be able to help. One call from them on your behalf can work wonders and they are volunteers - no cost to you. They are a division of the Attorney General's office so that's what they say when they call. Worked for me in several instances. Good luck!
Thanks!

[paulat585]

The OP said it is a Carrier unit. You can copy the model number and serial number from the air handling unit in the garage. Then, you can go to the Carrier website and it will show you the exact status of the warranty. Most units in The Villages come with a 5-year labor and 10-year parts warranty. But, if anything is still under warranty, the home warranty company will not perform work on it.
I just checked the warranty & it was for 5 years. Expired in 2016. Thanks for the info.

[Stu from NYC]

Insure what you can not afford. Period.

Warranty "insurance" is a money maker for the firms.

Insurance is for things you cannot afford to lose. Home, car and life.

Everything else warranty is huge moneymaker for the folks doing the warrantying.

[CarlR33]

Insurance is for things you cannot afford to lose. Home, car and life.

Everything else warranty is huge moneymaker for the folks doing the warrantying.
Yes, and the home warranty companies are not in it to loose money. Why would they?

[dsattazahn]

Hi, My home warranty people conducted my yearly HVAC inspection today. The tech found that oil/coolant had leaked and that the leak couldn't be repaired & that it had frozen & then thawed. It had leaked on my new filter, saturating it. The tech called the office and was told to add coolant(?) to the system and to advise me to wait until it "had issues" as they would not repair/replace it now. He did this and said it took 2 pounds (?) in an 8 pound system. The brand is Carrier.

In the past this warranty company has been cooperative. My questions:

1. Do I need to wait until it starts having issues to call them
2. What do I say to avoid the run around with them.
Thanks, Paula


There is a very high probability if it’s a small leak that it’s on the indoor coil. Adding refrigerant to bring it back up to the proper level will make it work but might only be for a short time. Running a system that’s low on refrigerant can do damage to the compressor. if you have a leak, you really should try to get it resolved. Replacing that component, (coil)would be an option. Depending on the age of the system, it might be wiser to replace everything. Typically home warranty companies would not replace that coil. in my experience they will only replace components that are rusted. I would get a good HVAC company to check it out and they should be able to look for a leak and once they find it can give you options. Good luck

[Birdrm]

The OP said it is a Carrier unit. You can copy the model number and serial number from the air handling unit in the garage. Then, you can go to the Carrier website and it will show you the exact status of the warranty. Most units in The Villages come with a 5-year labor and 10-year parts warranty. But, if anything is still under warranty, the home warranty company will not perform work on it.

Not always, I had an issue where my AC was running but stopped cooling, SunCool showed me where the inside was completely iced over and they said the switch was not working to control the flow of freon. They had to order the part and then when it was completed he said Carrier warranty does not cover the switch. My unit is about 3 years old and lucky it was only a $700 bill.

[Bridget Staunton]

Don’t buy a home warranty, another way to take advantage of people