Does a Home Warranty Cover HVAC Repair or Replacement?

Short answer: many home warranty plans include heating and cooling. What they pay for depends on the contract. Coverage usually applies when a part wears out from normal use. You still pay a service fee, and the plan has a dollar limit and a list of things it won't cover. A warranty is not a tune-up plan, and the provider usually decides whether to replace a unit.

What is often included

Plans that list HVAC commonly name components such as the furnace, heat pump, central air unit, blower motor, thermostat and certain electrical parts. The exact list varies by company and by plan tier, so treat any list (including this one) as a starting point and confirm it in the sample contract.

What is often limited or excluded

• Routine maintenance such as filter changes, cleaning and tune-ups
• Failures linked to missing maintenance or improper installation
• Ductwork, refrigerant, or code upgrades, which some plans cover only partly or as an add-on
• Equipment that was already failing before coverage began
• Costs above the plan's dollar cap for the system

Repair vs. replacement

If a covered unit can't be fixed, the contract may allow a new unit, a cash payment, or a payment up to a cap. Ask how the provider decides and what counts toward the cap. Also ask who pays for matching parts, permits and hauling away the old unit.

HVAC contract checklist

• Is HVAC included in the base plan or only a higher tier?
• What is the dollar limit for heating and for cooling, and are they separate?
• Are refrigerant, ductwork and permits covered or excluded?
• What maintenance records could the provider ask for?
• What happens if the replacement unit costs more than the cap?

For how claims are filed and fees are charged, see how service fees work and what a home warranty covers.

Next step

Enter your ZIP code on our quote form to see which companies serve your area, then read each sample contract for the items above before you choose.