A new heater is a major purchase, often costing homeowners thousands of dollars. Replacing it can be a huge expense, so it’s worthwhile for homeowners to look into the type of warranty their HVAC manufacturer offers.
In a gas oven, the heat exchanger is one of the most critical elements. It is usually made of some form of aluminum or stainless steel and is used to separate the air pumped into your home from the gases used to heat it. A cracked or damaged heat exchanger can be an extremely dangerous thing, allowing harmful carbon monoxide to mix with the hair that is pumped into your home.
Since heat exchangers are such a critical component of your HVAC system, they typically come with the longest warranties. Many companies offer lifetime warranties. Some companies promise to replace a broken unit, while others will replace the entire oven. This can save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, and allow you to upgrade to newer technology if your heat exchanger fails in a few years.
But while a lifetime warranty may sound great, it’s important to know the benefits and limitations of warranties on your heat exchanger.
Most companies will offer you a conditional lifetime warranty on heat exchangers. This usually requires that the heat exchanger has been installed in a residential location that is still owned by the person who originally purchased the heater. So if you move into a home where the existing oven has a lifetime warranty, chances are it was voided when the original owner moved out.
The warranty is also void even if you move your heater to a new home, as most warranties require the heater to be in its original location. Your warranty could also be voided if you rent out your home.
Also, most lifetime heat exchanger warranties are only valid if you register your heater with the company within a certain period of time after you buy it, usually 60 to 90 days. Sometimes you have to show proof of purchase for the warranty to be honored, even if you haven’t installed it in years.
It pays to read the fine print on most heat exchanger warranties. Some companies promise to replace cracked intercoolers with the same original parts, while others promise only an equivalent part.
One way to make your warranty last longer is to purchase an extended warranty with your new oven, one that covers labor, not just parts. Labor costs can be high, sometimes dwarfing the cost of replacement parts.
The best thing is an extended factory warranty from the manufacturer, which allows you to choose the contractor of your choice to do the job. However, contractors and third parties offer their own extended warranties, which can also protect you and your wallet from the headache of paying for a new heat exchanger.