When an inspection finds an old AC system, a home warranty often gets offered as the answer. The seller pays for the first year, and everyone feels better. I’ve had a home warranty on my own house for years, so here’s what actually happened when our old upstairs unit needed work.
The system
Our upstairs unit is a 2.5-ton system from 1997. You can tell the year from the serial number: on many units, the third and fourth digits are the year it was made. It runs on R-22 refrigerant, which isn’t made anymore, so what’s left is expensive. This system holds about 4 pounds of it.
Claim #1: a refill, not a repair
The first technician the warranty company sent found an R-22 leak. He said he’d come back with parts to fix the leak and convert the system to newer 410A refrigerant. A month and a half later, he came back, added a couple of pounds of R-22 and left in about 20 minutes. The leak wasn’t fixed. He told me the warranty company had only approved a refill.
Claim #2: $2,580 for a coil
The system leaked again, this time at the coil in the attic. The second technician recommended replacing the whole system, since it’s 27 years old and runs on R-22. Instead, the warranty company approved only a new coil and said we’d owe $2,580 out of pocket because the work counted as a “modification,” which they don’t cover. After I complained, they offered a cash payout instead. I’m putting that toward a brand-new system that I choose, installed by a contractor I choose.
What buyers should know
- Don’t count on a warranty to replace an old AC. Expect repairs and refills, and read the exclusions for older systems, refrigerant and “modifications.”
- You don’t pick who shows up. You also don’t control how it’s fixed, and service windows can be all day.
- They can help with small things. One phone call that gets someone out for a minor appliance or plumbing issue has real value, especially for new homeowners.
- If the AC is old, negotiate now. Get an HVAC contractor’s evaluation and price during your inspection period, and ask for a credit or a lower price instead of relying on a warranty.
Build your own list of pros
Most of my job is telling clients which professional to call for each issue I find. If you’re not sure who to call about something in your home, send me a photo and I’ll point you in the right direction. A trusted local HVAC company, plumber and roofer will usually serve you better than a national warranty company deciding for you.
Watch the video
See the unit and the leaky coil in the video above, or watch it on YouTube. Every home inspection I do includes testing the AC and noting its age and refrigerant type. Book online or call 623-399-0079.
Property Inspections Plus is a Gilbert, AZ home inspection company led by Certified Master Inspector Dan Pierce. We inspect homes across the East Valley, the Phoenix metro and the rest of Arizona. See all of our service areas.
