Warranty & Coverage
The Complete HVAC Warranty Guide: What's Covered, What's Not, & How to Check.
Your HVAC system came with a warranty when it was installed. But most homeowners don't know what it covers, how long it lasts, or whether it's still active. Here's how to find out before you pay for your next repair.
The short version
Your HVAC warranty is actually three separate warranties: a manufacturer parts warranty, a labor warranty from the installer, and possibly a home warranty policy. Each has different coverage, expiration dates, and claim processes.
The most common mistake homeowners make is assuming a "10-year warranty" means everything is covered for 10 years. It doesn't. Parts might be covered for 10 years, but labor typically expires after 1 to 2 years, and the manufacturer only pays for the component, not the technician's time to install it.
If your system is under 10 years old, a covered part could save you hundreds, but only if it was registered and the claim is filed correctly.
When a compressor fails on a 6-year-old condenser, the difference between a $0 covered repair and a $2,000 out-of-pocket replacement often comes down to one thing: whether the system was registered with the manufacturer within 90 days of installation. We see homeowners pay for parts that were under warranty every week because nobody checked.
This guide breaks down the three types of HVAC warranty coverage, what each one actually pays for, how to look up your warranty status for major brands like Trane and Carrier, and when a home warranty is worth it for HVAC in the Raleigh-Durham area.
Coverage 01
Manufacturer Parts Warranty
The manufacturer parts warranty is provided by the company that built your equipment, not the company that installed it. It covers the cost of replacement components if they fail due to a manufacturing defect within the warranty period. It does not cover the labor to diagnose or install the replacement part, refrigerant, or damage caused by improper installation or lack of maintenance.
Coverage 02
Labor Warranty
The labor warranty covers the technician's time to diagnose a problem and install a replacement part. It is provided by the installing contractor, not the manufacturer. This is the warranty most homeowners don't realize they have, or don't have.
Coverage 03
Home Warranty & HVAC Coverage
A home warranty is a separate service contract, typically purchased when buying or selling a home, that covers major systems and appliances. It is completely independent from your manufacturer and labor warranties. For HVAC, coverage can be valuable, but the fine print matters.
How to check
How to Look Up Your HVAC Warranty
Checking warranty status requires two pieces of information: the model number and the serial number, both found on the metal nameplate on your outdoor condenser or indoor furnace. Once you have those, here's how to check the major brands.
Brand 01
Trane & American Standard Warranty Lookup
Trane (which also manufactures American Standard) offers one of the more robust warranty portals. You can check registration and coverage status online if your system was registered.
Brand 02
Carrier, Bryant & Payne Warranty Lookup
Carrier (along with sister brands Bryant, Payne, and Day & Night) also offers online warranty lookup. Registration status determines whether you get the full 10-year term or the 5-year base.
Brand 03
Goodman & Amana Warranty Lookup
Goodman (and Amana, which shares the same parent company) offers a straightforward warranty that many Raleigh homeowners have, since Goodman is a common builder-grade brand in the Triangle.
At a glance
Warranty Comparison by Brand
Here's a side-by-side reference for the most common HVAC brands we service in the Raleigh-Durham area. Always verify with the manufacturer, as specific model tiers can vary.
| Brand | Parts (registered) | Parts (unregistered) | Heat exchanger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trane / Am. Standard | 10 years | 5 years | 20 yr or lifetime |
| Carrier / Bryant | 10 years | 5 years | 20 yr or lifetime |
| Goodman / Amana | 10 years | 5 years | 20 yr or lifetime |
| Lennox | 10 years | 5 years | 20 yr or lifetime |
| Rheem / Ruud | 10 years | 5 years | 20 yr (select models) |
Step by step
How to File an HVAC Warranty Claim
If a part fails and you think it might be under warranty, here's the process. The key is acting before authorizing any repair, because once a non-warranty contractor installs a generic replacement part, the manufacturer warranty claim is often voided.
Know the difference
What's Typically Covered: Parts vs Labor
The simplest way to think about it: the manufacturer pays for the part, the contractor pays for the time. Here's how that breaks down for the most common HVAC repairs.
| Component | Parts warranty | Labor warranty | Typical labor cost if expired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor | Usually covered (10 yr) | Often expired | $500 to $900 |
| Evaporator coil | Often covered (10 yr) | Often expired | $400 to $700 |
| Circuit board | Usually covered (10 yr) | Often expired | $200 to $400 |
| Blower motor | Usually covered (10 yr) | Often expired | $300 to $500 |
| Capacitor / contactor | Usually covered (10 yr) | Often expired | $150 to $250 |
| Heat exchanger | 20 yr or lifetime | Always expired | $800 to $1,500+ |
| Refrigerant | Not covered | Not covered | $200 to $600+ (R-410A) |
Refrigerant is almost never covered by any warranty, even when the coil or component that leaked it is. This is a common surprise: a covered coil repair can still cost several hundred dollars in refrigerant and labor.
Honest take
Home Warranty for HVAC: Worth It in Raleigh?
In the Triangle, we see a lot of homes with HVAC systems that are 8 to 15 years old, right in the window where manufacturer parts warranties are expiring or have expired. Home warranty companies market heavily to these homeowners. Here's our honest assessment after years of servicing systems that went through both paths.
Quick answers
HVAC Warranty FAQ
How long is an HVAC warranty?
Most residential HVAC systems come with a 10-year parts warranty when registered within 90 days of installation, or 5 years if unregistered. Labor warranties typically last 1 to 2 years and are provided by the installing contractor. Heat exchangers on furnaces may carry 20-year or lifetime warranties.
Does a home warranty cover HVAC repair?
Home warranties can cover HVAC repairs, but coverage varies widely. Most plans cover specific components like compressors, capacitors, and fan motors, but exclude refrigerant, coils, and pre-existing conditions. You typically pay a service call fee (often $75 to $150) per claim, and pre-authorization is required.
How do I check if my HVAC is still under warranty?
Locate the serial number on your unit's nameplate, determine the manufacture date from the serial code, and contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer with the model and serial numbers. Registration status matters: unregistered systems often drop from 10-year to 5-year parts coverage.
What is the difference between a parts warranty and a labor warranty?
A parts warranty covers the cost of replacement components and is provided by the manufacturer. A labor warranty covers the cost of the technician's time to diagnose and install the replacement part, and is provided by the installing contractor. Most systems have both, but the labor warranty expires much sooner.
Does HVAC warranty transfer to a new homeowner?
Most manufacturer parts warranties are transferable to a new homeowner, but the terms change. Trane, Carrier, and Lennox typically reduce the remaining warranty period when ownership transfers. Labor warranties from the original installer almost never transfer. Always check registration status after buying a home.
What we check on every TTP service call
When Triangle Trade Professionals arrives at your home, we verify the warranty status on your equipment before we recommend any repair. Here's why that matters:
- A covered part means you pay only for labor, not the component itself.
- Registration status changes the warranty term from 10 years to 5 years.
- Knowing the warranty status lets us give you an honest repair-vs-replace answer with real numbers.
We don't believe in surprise charges. If your part is under warranty, we tell you and file the claim. If it's not, we show you the options: repair, replace, or maintain, with transparent pricing for each. No pressure, just clarity.
Your warranty should work for you, not against you.
Not sure if your system is still under warranty?
Snap a photo of your unit's nameplate and text it to us, or schedule a free system evaluation. We'll look up your warranty status, decode the serial number, and tell you exactly what's covered before you spend a dollar on repairs.
Schedule a free evaluation →