Remember, with the new refrigerant regulations, most production of R410A units will be outlawed. This means if your compressor fails you may have to replace the inside unit too which may not be covered. R410A refrigerant will be available for many more years.

One option is to purchase a replacement compressor while they are still available. It takes more labor than swapping out the condenser but the overall cost should be about the same. Every other part that fails are relatively inexpensive and can be replaced by the average handyman. (I have personally replaced a compressor in a residential condenser with no problems. Typically in commercial units, failed compressors are replaced especially in package units)
Refrigerant Transition Takes a Big Step in 2025 | ACHR News

I'm curious. Apparently, these State Farm endorsements are available to purchase in Florida, but for about $100 per year. They have a $500 per repair deductible, and they do not cover "normal wear and tear". A new HVAC system comes with a 5-year parts and labor warranty and your regular homeowner's insurance already covers damage caused by a natural disaster, such as a storm, fire, or power surge. Most minor repairs will usually cost less than $500. So, if your HVAC unit stops working after 5 years and needs to be replaced, how would you convince the insurance company that it was not caused by normal wear and tear? Also, if the 10-year parts warranty is still in effect, does the endorsement cover anything?

I think you have to have your unit serviced annually for that warranty to remain in effect.

I disagree. Most, if not all, new homes in The Villages come with a 10-year parts and 5-year labor warranty on HVAC systems. We had to make use of that warranty earlier this year when the A/C condenser fan motor shot craps in our 3 year old Carrier unit. Munn's was terrific in coming out the same day, making the repairs under warranty. The tech let me know how fortunate we were that the motor went out under warranty. These new Carrier units use a condenser fan motor that has an ECM built in, and the cost of the "part" alone was $1,018.00! The labor charge to install the motor was $100.00.

Unless you are hort of cash and have exhausted your credit, the warranty is a waste of your money.

Refrigerant leaks
 

Leaks are very rare, if you have one, repair, recharge and your done. If they just recharge then they’ll be back at some point. Capacitor $20, five screws and done in 15-20 minutes.

Heck no.
 

The ac man I use now put a new condenser in for $400, the part was under warranty. I have rentals in Ohio. I seldom have problems and none have $1000 in labor costs.

I had a new HVAC system installed in May of 2023 for $10,500. A refrigerant leak led to several days without cooling last summer and four days without heat last weekend. Turns out the leak is in the coils. As the unit is still under warranty, I don’t have to pay for a new coils unit (probably $1,000), but the two hours to install it will cost me $500. It was supposed to be installed yesterday, but somehow it blew off the truck yesterday on I-75 and was run over by a semi.

There must be more to this story. New Carrier systems (and most other major brands) come with a 5-year labor and 10-year parts warranty. So, can I assume that this is not a Carrier system? $10,500 is a lot of money for a system that has a substandard warranty. A large local company, like Munn's, would have been able to get replacement coils in a day or so, or just swap them out from an in-stock unit.

If you have a leak in the future that is not covered by insurance, you usually don't have to replace the coil. You do have to cut some of the fins out though.
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