[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Or... Rush out to buy an efficient tried and true system, rather that a much more expensive system using much more expensive freon...

To make matters worse, unlike the Freon that won’t be allowed in new systems, the new replacement stuff is flammable. This will require the new systems to be significantly redesigned, be more expensive, and require new training for the technicians. What is it with so called green government mandates and flammability? First lithium batteries and now freon, what’s next?

[bimmertl]

Mold is excluded from coverage in HO policies.

[AZ SLIM]

I didn't know HO insurance even covered HVAC. Am I understanding this correctly?

[RRGuyNJ]

Originally Posted by Fuzzyjourneyfan

My home owner's insurance company just called and told me that they won't renew my insurance unless I have my 20 year-old HVAC (AC/Heat) system replaced. There is nothing wrong with my HVAC system. I asked if they could just come and inspect it, but that's a no-go. I really don't want to switch to a different company because they are probably going to say the same thing. Do I have any other options (besides not having insurance) where I can keep my original HVAC system? If not, do you have recommendations for a good company to install a new one? Very frustrating...grrrrrr.....

I could never understand why insurance companies are requiring the replacement of HVAC and water heaters. If the HVAC fails, they aren't going to replace it under your home owners policy. What damage could it cause? Most tank water heaters are located in the garage. If they leak it goes on the garage floor, big deal. No damage and there again, they aren't going to replace it if it fails. Why is it Florida Insurance companies have all this power? They really need to have their wings clipped.

[roscoguy]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

To make matters worse, unlike the Freon that won’t be allowed in new systems, the new replacement stuff is flammable. This will require the new systems to be significantly redesigned, be more expensive, and require new training for the technicians. What is it with so called green government mandates and flammability? First lithium batteries and now freon, what’s next?

According to Rheem: "Despite their mildly flammable classification, A2L refrigerants are extremely hard to ignite."
More info here: What to Know About the 2025 HVAC Refrigerant Change - Air Conditioning Blog - Rheem Manufacturing Company

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by AZ SLIM

I didn't know HO insurance even covered HVAC. Am I understanding this correctly?

Typically, your homeowners policy will not cover replacement of an old or defective HVAC system, but it will cover damage to the house that is caused by a defective HVAC system, such as mold or a fire started by a defective system.

[Rocksnap]

I fail to understand why Florida insurance companies want hvac or water heaters replaced, if they are old. Coming from New England, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Having an old system is the norm. Never heard of anyone that was forced to replace an old system. Not even a roof. All that’s up to the homeowner.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Rocksnap

I fail to understand why Florida insurance companies want hvac or water heaters replaced, if they are old. Coming from New England, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Having an old system is the norm. Never heard of anyone that was forced to replace an old system. Not even a roof. All that’s up to the homeowner.

True, but I can understand why an insurance company would rather insure a homeowner who replaces old equipment with newer equipment, if it is legal. Some insurance companies even base their premium on a homeowner's credit rating. Government control of private companies can only go so far.

[jamorela]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

I just signed up for new coverage and was warned that they may need me to replace my water heater - like your HVAC, it is in perfect working order (and looks almost new) - and to have to replace such items is a waste of money and resources, like the roof.

I suspect that, with so few companies covering Florida, that age limit will drop to 15 years then go down to ten - the homeowner has no choice but to go along with it.

Pure laziness on their part not to at least offer to go with the opinion of a third party inspection.

I just changed insurance companies and had to get a new hot water heater. It was a blessing in disguise because when they replaced it, they found a leak that was coming from my roof.

[capecoralbill]

Originally Posted by jamorela

I just changed insurance companies and had to get a new hot water heater. It was a blessing in disguise because when they replaced it, they found a leak that was coming from my roof.

What the heck are they doing on your roof?

[Switter]

Originally Posted by Fuzzyjourneyfan

My home owner's insurance company just called and told me that they won't renew my insurance unless I have my 20 year-old HVAC (AC/Heat) system replaced. There is nothing wrong with my HVAC system. I asked if they could just come and inspect it, but that's a no-go. I really don't want to switch to a different company because they are probably going to say the same thing. Do I have any other options (besides not having insurance) where I can keep my original HVAC system? If not, do you have recommendations for a good company to install a new one? Very frustrating...grrrrrr.....

As others have said your system is at the end of its life and should probably be replaced. It likely won't last much longer.

I bought my house here with a 20 year old furnace and I talked the seller down on the price to cover the cost of replacing it. About a year later it died.

You also have to be careful if you have a natural gas furnace. In my previous house, my furnace was over 20 years old. I'd never had the furnace inspected since I moved in to the place so I called an HVAC company to come clean and inspect it. They found the manifold had holes in it, which can result in it leaking carbon monoxide. They were under legal obligation to shut the furnace off.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by capecoralbill

What the heck are they doing on your roof?

They said the leak was "coming from the roof", not that they were on the roof.

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by Fuzzyjourneyfan

My home owner's insurance company just called and told me that they won't renew my insurance unless I have my 20 year-old HVAC (AC/Heat) system replaced. There is nothing wrong with my HVAC system. I asked if they could just come and inspect it, but that's a no-go. I really don't want to switch to a different company because they are probably going to say the same thing. Do I have any other options (besides not having insurance) where I can keep my original HVAC system? If not, do you have recommendations for a good company to install a new one? Very frustrating...grrrrrr.....

I have never heard of such a thing before. The only way an insurance company would pay for an AC would be damage from fire and possibly lightning damage. Because yours is 20 years old if would be a good idea to replace now because as of Jan 01.2025 prices are going up 15-20% due to government regulations! We replace our unit and got the best price from Kalos and Sunshine. Don’t wait until next year.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Fuzzyjourneyfan

There is nothing wrong with my 20 year-old HVAC (AC/Heat) system. ...grrrrrr.....

LOL! Yeah, nothing wrong with a 20 year old car with 200,000 miles on it either, but paying for full replacement cost at today's standards becomes very expensive also. Nothing wrong with worn out tires either, until you need them and they fail because of an unforeseen situation.

Am preparing to sell my parents 60 year old house which was constantly maintained properly by an engineer, and the house inspection (mine prior to sale) found dangerous long term wear which we assumed was fine because it hasn't failed yet, but it has failed safety standards, , . . and if it had failed, there would be dead people in the house.

Mechanical items controlled by electrical items wear out slowly, then suddenly. The insurance company doesn't want to deal with suddenly, as that can get very expensive with the secondary effects. And you don't want to deal with suddenly either, as total system failures and replacements becomes very costly and never at a convenient time, because of schedules. The future is always uncertain, and sometimes more uncertain with 20 year old systems than with new systems.

Insurance companies deal in risk calculations. Your risk is much higher than you realize, just because you aren't keeping up with home maintenance per most equipment expected life spans.

Change can upset human schedules and expectations. CoachK had a colleague on vacation for a month out of the country. Water hose broke on the washing machine, flooded first floor and basement. Insurance company took two years to fix it while they were housed in a hotel with kids.

Not directly applicable, but it's much more efficient to save and pay for replacement of required systems at the end of their expected life than to play roulette with the insurance company and your house.

good luck,

[eyc234]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

To make matters worse, unlike the Freon that won’t be allowed in new systems, the new replacement stuff is flammable. This will require the new systems to be significantly redesigned, be more expensive, and require new training for the technicians. What is it with so called green government mandates and flammability? First lithium batteries and now freon, what’s next?

Yep those horseless carriages are going to be the end of the world. Those stinking electric light bulbs will take away millions of coal oil lamp maker jobs. Two guarantees in life, change and death.