Would you buy the extended warranty on A/C or not?
 

OK, not sure what to do about my a/c warranty. Currently, have 10 years parts and 5 of the 10 also includes labor. The company is offering another 5 year warranty on labor for $499 which basically means 10 years parts and labor. We plan staying in the house for 10 years; if we move the 5 year extended warranty on the labor is not transferrable.

Would you go for the extended 5 years on labor for $499 - again giving 10 years parts & labor? The unit is 22 months old. Thanks.

Probably not - I believe if you have a big problem with the AC the parts will be more expensive than the labor - also if you have the unit serviced twice a year they should pick up on any problem before it becomes one.

Thanks for your post, good points. Our parts are under warranty for 10 years currently, and we have another contract for 2x year service. Maybe it is overkill to pay $499 for the extended 5 year labor contract, too.

We had it and it was great when the AC quit in the middle of the night and they came right away for an after-hours visit and fixed it, no charge. (Munns)

AC Warranrty
 

For less than $500.00 you can get a warranty that covers everything, appliances, disposals, plumbing, electrical, air, heating, ceiling fans, garage door openers and if they can't repair will replace for a $60.00 service call. See AHS.com.
Have had them for 18 years. Have replaced 2 disposals, 3 water heaters, washer and dryer and an AC/Heating system. All for the price of the serice call.

Anytime a company wants to sell a warranty, it's usually designed to make money for them and not to save you money. They know the odds are in their favor. Otherwise, why would they do it?

Clark Howard, the consumer's advocate, tells people on the radio to never buy a warranty. Usually, the salesman who pushes the warranty gets a big commission for doing so. You pay $500. and the salesman might get a $50 commission. What does that tell you?

One weekend or holiday service call on overtime for labor alone can cost you more than the entire service contract if you can even get someone to come out.
I would say most of us have home and car insurance and the contract is just basically insurance against the chance of your AC going down at the worst possible time.

we have sunkool 10 year and have had to use them twice worth the money

She already has insurance. This is an extended warranty that we're talking about. If the company moves, sells their business, or goes out of business, kiss that money goodby. Or, if the homeowner decides to move, the money they paid for the extended warranty is not transferrable and not refundable.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Easyrider View Post
One weekend or holiday service call on overtime for labor alone can cost you more than the entire service contract if you can even get someone to come out.
I would say most of us have home and car insurance and the contract is just basically insurance against the chance of your AC going down at the worst possible time.




How about reading the part in bold above, AGAIN. An extended warranty is just an insurance policy....to cover future AC failures should they occur. The extended warranty I have is transferable to a new owner if I decide to sell. Go with an established, reputable company that has been around for a while.

Make sure that your warranty covers Electrical surges.

You are correct. However I should have been more clear. If we move, the new owner is covered for the remainder of the 10 years for parts - the $499 the company is now offering is for 5 extra years of labor (total 10 years labor) and this is not transferrable.

Not all companies have the same terms.

An extended warranty is just an insurance policy....the premium is to cover future AC failures should they occur. The extended warranty I have is transferable to a new owner if I decide to sell. Go with an established, reputable company that has been around for a while. Another post mentioned surges and the first thing they should have done is install a surge protector at the disconnect outside for the outside unit. Most likely will have a green or red led light on it if one is installed.


Actually all the heat pump units for the newer homes have a 10 year parts warranty from the manufacturer.

and our ahs contract transferred from the previous owners when we purchased the home.

Totally agree!

AND usually it breaks right AFTER the warranty expires.