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Top 5 Best Home Warranties For HVAC (2023 Review)

Top Best Home Warranty Companies For HVAC Review

Jump to: Our Top Picks | Compare HVAC Providers | Best Companies for HVAC | HW for  HVAC Explained | Is A Home Warranty Worth It? | Pre-Existing Conditions | What To Look For | Coverage | Cost | Reliability 

Securing a home warranty for your heating and cooling systems can save you from costly repairs. We’ve reviewed the top providers to find the best home warranty for HVAC systems.

Your homeowners insurance policy won’t help you when your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems break down — but a good home warranty will.

The best home warranties for HVAC allow you to quickly have your HVAC system repaired or replaced without making a big dent in your bank account. In fact, most home warranty policies will only require you to pay a small service fee for emergency repairs or in place of replacement costs.

Most homeowners find that investing in a good home warranty is well worth the cost when the heat isn’t turning on in the dead of winter. We’ve done in-depth research to give you a list of the top five best home warranty companies for HVAC systems. Each of the following providers will give you peace of mind about your HVAC system and the costs associated with keeping it up and running.

Editor's Choice
98

$200 Off + FREE Bonus Month
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Best Overall
98.5

Limited Offer: $50 Off + 1 month free
Claim Offer
Most Affordable
97.6

Limited Time: New Customers Get $50 Off
Claim Offer


Our Top Home Warranty for HVAC Picks

  # 1 Our Top Choice Choice Home Warranty
Editorial Rating 98.50
  • $50 Off + 1 month free
  • Won't deny coverage if systems/appliances are old
  • Free cancellation within 30 days
  • Emergency service available
  • Reservice for failed repairs
  # 2 Liberty Home Guard
Editorial Rating 98.00
  • $200 off + 1 Month Free + Free Roof Coverage!
  • BBB's Only A+ Accredited Home Warranty Company!
  • Newly designed customer claim portal
  • Lower chance of claim denial
  • Multiple optional coverage items
  • 24/7 service calls
  # 3 American Home Shield
Editorial Rating 97.60
  • Get $50 off
  • Lower chance of claim denial
  • 24/7 service calls and online service
  • Large and established firm
  • Choose your own service fee!
  • Market veteran
  • $150 off + 2 months free
  • FREE Roof Leak Coverage
  • Good selection of plans
  • Must file claims within 3 days
  • $75 cancellation fee
  # 5 Cinch Home Services
Editorial Rating 95.30
  • First 2 Months Free on all Plans! (exclusions apply)
  • Industry-leading 180-day workmanship guarantee
  • $500 Homeowner insurance deductible reimbursement
  • Thousands of reliable & fast local service providers
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Low cancellation fee

Compare HVAC Providers

ProviderBest ForMonthly CostService FeeBBB Rating
Choice Home WarrantyBest Overall$45 – $53$85D+
Liberty Home GuardBest Customer Service$45 – $54$75A-
American Home ShieldMost Customizable$25 – $75$75 – $125B
Select Home WarrantyMost Affordable$44 – $48$60B-
Americas First Choice Home ClubBest For Customization$46 – $68$75 – $125B

Top 5 Best Home Warranty Companies for HVAC:

1. Best Overall: Choice Home Warranty

Why We Like Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty is the best overall HVAC home warranty. What sets Choice Home Warranty apart is its $3,000 coverage cap for each home system and appliance — the highest dollar limit of any other providers on this page.

With its higher coverage caps, comprehensive plans, fair pricing and 13 years of  industry experience, Choice Home Warranty stands out as the overall best home warranty provider for HVAC.

Choice Home Warranty Coverage

Choice Home Warranty has two coverage plans: the Basic Plan and the Total Plan. However, the Total Plan is the only option that covers your entire HVAC system, including repairs and replacements from normal wear and tear.

  • Basic Plan: There are 14 total covered items under Choice Home Warranty’s Basic Plan, including; ceiling fans, cooktop exhaust fans, dishwasher, ductwork, garbage disposal, electrical system, garage door opener, heating system, oven, microwave, plumbing system, plumbing stoppage, toilet and water heater. While this is one of the most popular home warranty plans in the nation, it isn’t the best plan for HVAC systems, as it doesn’t cover air conditioning systems.
  • Total Plan: This plan covers your HVAC system and all major appliances, making it a better choice for the homeowner that needs coverage for HVAC. While the Total Plan is a bit more expensive, it has some essential protections, including air conditioning, washer and dryer and refrigerator on top of heating and ductwork and everything else covered in the Basic Plan — 18 items total.
  • Optional add-ons: Choice Home Warranty doesn’t offer too many add-on coverage options for homeowners. However, you will have the basics like central vacuum, septic tank, sump pump, well pump and the pool and spa. The add-on coverages will vary in price from around $5 a month to more than $20 per month.

Choice Home Warranty Plans and Pricing

Below you’ll find the different costs associated with each of Choice Home Warranty’s plans.

Plan

Estimated Monthly Cost

Service Fee

HVAC Coverage Amount

Basic Plan

$45

$85

$3,000 (heating and ductwork only)

Total plan

$53.33

$85

$3,000

Learn more by reading our Choice Home Warranty review.

2. Best Customer Service: Liberty Home Guard 

Why We Like Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard offers the best customer service out of any home warranty company that covers HVAC. Despite breaking into the industry in 2017, Liberty has quickly proved itself as customer-centric — this company wants to get you a quick response to your central air conditioning and heating-related issues.

While you’ll still be responsible for keeping up with HVAC maintenance, Liberty Home Guard representatives regulates quite a bit of stress and confusion for its customers.

Liberty Home Guard Coverage

Liberty Home Guard has three warranty plans: the Appliance Plan, Systems Plan, and the Total Home Guard. Coverage caps from this proider are a little lower and rarely go over the $1,500 mark.

The Systems Plan and the Total Home Guard are the best options for HVAC coverage, applying to ducted central units up to 5 tons. We also found Liberty Home Guard to be the best home warranty provider for add-on coverages.

  • Appliance Guard: Liberty Home Guard’s Appliance Guard covers 11 home appliances, including; refrigerators, cooktop exhaust fan, ceiling fans, dishwasher, oven, clothes dryer, clothes washer, garage door opener, microwave, garbage disposal and refrigerator ice-maker. Obviously, this isn’t the best plan for HVAC coverage.
  • Systems Guard: The Systems Guard plan is essentially the opposite of the Appliance Guard and covers nine systems. The systems included in this plan are air conditioner, electrical system, bath exhaust fan, ductwork, heating system, plumbing and plumbing stoppages, toilet and water heater. This plan is a few dollars more than the Appliance Guard, but systems have a higher repair cost and coverage cap.
  • Total Home Guard: This is the best option because of the mix of system and appliance coverage. The pricing is just a few dollars more than the Systems Guard plan, but it has a total of 20 covered items, including all HVAC systems.
  • Optional add-ons: Liberty Home Guard has one of the most extensive lists of additional coverage on the market. These add-ons will increase the annual price of the plan, but many homeowners find it to be worth it. Especially because some of these coverages are rare, like re-key service, pest control, gutter, floor cleaning, lawn sprinklers and wine refrigerators.

Liberty Home Guard Plans and Pricing

Like most home warranty companies, Liberty Home Guard isn’t transparent about their prices on their website unless you request a quote. To get a free quote through Liberty Home, you must give information about you and your house, meaning that the monthly costs likely look different depending on your circumstances.

Below is an idea of how much Liberty Home Guard warranties cost based on our research.

Plan

Estimated Monthly Cost

Service Fee

HVAC Coverage Amount

Appliance Guard

$45

$75

N/A

System Guard

$49.83

$75

$2,000 

Total Home Guard

$54.33

$75

$2,000

Learn more by reading our Liberty Home Guard review.

3. Most Customizable: American Home Shield 

Why We Like American Home Shield

American Home Shield is a trusted name with more than 50 years in the industry, some even calling them the pioneer in home warranties. We particularly like AHS’ ability to customize your home warranty to include specific HVAC coverages tailored to your needs.

AHS has extra benefits for HVAC systems too, like unlimited refills for AC units and free or discounted HVAC tune-ups.  In addition to customizing the coverage from AHS, you can customize the pricing to work for your needs.

American Home Shield Coverage

The three plans from American Home Shield include ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. All three of the American Home Shield home warranty plans have HVAC coverage with coverage limits ranging from $1,500 to unlimited for certain HVAC systems and home appliances.

  • ShieldSilver™: The ShieldSilver is the most affordable of all the plans from AHS and it has HVAC coverage. This plan covers 14 home systems, including air conditioning, electrical system, doorbells, garage door opener, water heater, and ductwork. Most systems will come with a coverage cap of $1,500, though some are higher. 
  • ShieldGold™: There’s a big difference between ShieldSilver and ShieldGold, moving from from six total covered items to 23 systems and appliances. ShieldGold is a comprehensive coverage plan that offers has a customizable service fee. This is a great choice for new home warranty customers looking for more than just HVAC coverage. 
  • ShieldPlatinum™: The ShieldPlatinum Plan covers 27 items and offers homeowners a tremendous number of benefits, including fast service, and very high coverage caps. 
  • Optional add-ons: Homeowners like the pool and spa coverage that the AHS plan offers. In addition, you will find coverage for things like electronics, television, septic systems, and well pumps. With American Home Shield, the customization of coverages allows you to put together a comprehensive plan for your home.

 American Home Shield Plans and Pricing

The cost of your home warranty with American Home Shield will vary depending on the plan and the service call fee amount you choose (either $75, $100 or $125). You won’t find exact pricing on AHS’ website before requesting a free quote and giving personal information, but you can find estimated prices below.

Plan

Estimated Monthly Cost

Service Fee

HVAC Coverage Amount

Silver Plan

$25.82-$45.82

$75 – $125

$1,500+

Gold Plan

$45.82-65.82

$75 – $125

$1,500+

Platinum Plan

$75.82-95.82

$75 – $125

$1,500+

 

Learn more by reading our American Home Shield review.

4. Most Affordable: Select Home Warranty 

Why We Like Select Home Warranty

If you have ever paid for an HVAC repair or replacement not covered under a manufacturer’s warranty, you know how expensive it can be. That’s why many homeowners find home warranties worth the extra cost, and luckily Select Home Warranty provides that extra protection at lower rates compared to most competitors.

Select Home Warranty also includes extra protections, like free roof leak coverage under its premium plan. If you thought you couldn’t afford a home warranty, you should check out what this service provider has to offer. 

Select Home Warranty Coverage

The Select Home Warranty policy often has lower policy limit coverage, but you can get up to $2,000 per year towards HVAC repair or replacement as long as your HVAC unit is under 5 tons.

  • Bronze Care Plan: Select Home Warranty has some of the most affordable plans on the market. The Bronze Care Plan is an appliance-only plan that isn’t a great choice if you’re looking for HVAC coverage. The plan comes with coverage for seven appliances. These include garbage disposal, dishwasher, clothes dryer, microwave, oven, refrigerator, and clothes washer. 
  • Gold Care Plan: Instead of covering household appliances, the Gold Care Plan home warranty plan covers HVAC systems. This plan is limited to just six systems. The systems covered are air conditioner, ductwork, electrical, heating, plumbing systems, and water heater. This is an affordable plan considering the cost to repair some of these key home systems. 
  • Platinum Care Plan: The Platinum Care Plan from Select Home Warranty is the most popular plan. Select Home Warranty offers double the coverage with the Platinum Care plan. In addition, all homeowners will get free roof leak coverage (up to $400 covered) as an add-on. As well as $500 for covered appliances, plumbing and electrical systems.
  • Optional add-ons: There are just a few add-on coverages from Select Home Warranty, including pool, spa, septic system, lawn sprinklers, stand-alone freezer, central vacuum, well pump, and sump pump

Select Home Warranty Plans and Pricing

Select Home Warranty offers the most affordable of the home warranty plans for HVAC. Although there are three plans, the Gold and the Platinum are the only options for HVAC coverage. 

Plan

Estimated Monthly Cost

Service Fee

HVAC Coverage Amount

Gold Care

$44.42

$60

N/A

Bronze Care

$44.42

$60

$2,000

Platinum Care

$47.75

$60

$2,000

Learn more by reading our Select Home Warranty review.

5. Best for Quick Coverage: America’s 1st Choice Home Club

 

Why We Like America’s 1st Choice Home Club

America’s 1st Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) earns a top-five spot in our home warranty review thanks to its strong workmanship guarantee that extends the length of your warranty contract, which is longer than what many companies offer. If your HVAC system malfunctions again after being serviced, AFC Home Club will send a technician to your home at no extra cost.

America’s 1st Choice Home Club Coverage

AFC Home Club offers four different plans with various coverage options. While the company offers a generous $3,000 coverage cap for appliances, coverage for HVAC systems varies depending on the system.

For example, AFC Home Club will pay up to $250 for ductwork and up to $1,000 for standard water heaters, according to a sample contract.

 

  • Systems Plan: This basic plan protects six different HVAC systems, including air conditioning and heating, electrical, plumbing and ductwork.
  • Silver Plan: AFC Home Club’s mid-level plan excludes HVAC systems, instead covering up to nine household appliances including washer and dryer, oven, dishwasher and garbage disposal.
  • Gold Plan: This option is more of a combo plan between appliance and HVAC, covering up to 15 household appliances and HVAC systems, including; AC units, heating systems, hot water tanks, electrical, plumbing system and ductwork. Exclusions include plumbing stoppages, built-in microwaves, fans and ice makers.
  • Platinum Plan: This is AFC Home Club’s more comprehensive coverage plan, covering up to 18 appliances and systems — pretty much everything you can think of outside of the option add-on items listed below.
  • Optional Add-Ons: You can add the following items to any AFC Home Club warranty; electronics, sump pump, septic system, central vacuum, pool and spa, stand alone freezer and roof leak repair.

 

America’s 1st Choice Home Club Plans and Pricing

Similar to AHS, you can choose the amount of your service call fee with AFC Home Club, with options of $75, $100 and $125. Your monthly fee will vary depending on the amount you choose for the service fee, but the higher the service fee, the lower your monthly charge.

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

HVAC Coverage Amount

Systems Plan

$42.83-$47.92

$75–$125

Varies based on system

Silver Plan

$35.33-$40.33

$75–$125

N/A

Gold Plan

$50.42-$55.50

$75–$125

Varies based on system

Platinum Plan

$55.50-$60.50

$75–$125

Varies based on system

Learn more by reading our Home Service Club review.

Home Warranties for HVAC – Coverage 

In this category, we will be going after what each home warranty covers under the HVAC and what is not covered.

Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty is a popular HVAC warranty provider for its generous offerings and the comprehensiveness of plans. The HVAC system has been divided into sections/ components covered separately in the plans.
 
Choice has two plans for homeowners; a basic plan and a total plan. The basic plan will cover the built-in microwave, ductwork, oven/range/stove, water heater, plumbing stoppage, garbage disposal, whirlpool bathtub, heating system, electrical system, plumbing system, ceiling and exhaust fans, dishwasher, cooktop, and garage door opener. Being an upgrade of the basic plan, the total plan will cover the air conditioning system, clothes washer & dryer, and refrigerator in addition to items in the basic plan. 
 
As noted, the HVAC components in the basic plan are the ductwork and heating system, but if you want to cover the air conditioning system too, you’ll have to go for the total plan.
 
HVAC is not complete without a vacuum, but this item is covered as an optional add-on. The optional coverage consists of a second refrigerator, limited roof leak, septic system, additional spa, pool/spa, stand-alone freezer, central vacuum, septic tank pumping, well pump, and sump pump.
 
On to coverage, Choice Home Warranty will cover the following concerning your HVAC system;
  • Floor Furnace
  • Hot Water Heat
  • Wall Mounted Units
  • Heat Pumps
  • Ducted Central Electric Split and Package Units
  • Forced Air (gas, electric, oil)
  • Mini-splits
  • Duct
  • Geothermal
  • Electric Baseboard
 
However, there are some exclusions, and the provider won’t cover the following;
  • Collapsed ductwork
  • Piping repairs related to the water source in case you are using a steam circulated heater
  • Fuel storage tanks in case you are using gas, oil
  • Chillers and or any form of insulation
  • Source of heating for instance wood stoves
  • Portable units
  • Any extra equipment or components that are necessary for the repair or replacement of the HVAC and components. For instance, when replacing condensers, you might require new air handlers, and the warranty provider is not liable.
  • Refrigerant line sets

American Home Shield

Have you checked out American Home Shield’s new plans? If not, we have the pleasure of breaking them down for you. There’s the ShieldSiver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The ShieldSilver is a systems plan, while the ShiledGold is like a combo that combines appliances and systems. The ShiledPlatinum has more appliances, systems, and roof leaks, among other perks.
 
In the case of the HVAC, we’ll be focusing on the ShieldSilver, which covers;
  • Whirlpool Tub Motor & Components
  • Air Conditioners
  • Garage Door Openers
  • Interior Plumbing Lines
  • Built-in Exhaust, Attic Fans, and Vent
  • Heating Units
  • Water Heaters
  • Faucets & Valves
  • Doorbell & Chimes
  • Ductwork
  • Fuse and Main Circuit Breaker Panel Box
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Electrical Lines
  • Toilets
Unlike Choice Home Warranty, the air conditioning system is covered in all plans, so you don’t have to get an upgrade.
 
Let’s talk about what is covered and what is not.
 
In the AHS ShieldSilver plan, three components of the HVAC are covered; air conditioners, heating units, and ductwork.
  • With the air conditioners, parts covered include; Mini-splits
  • Geothermal
  • Ducted central electric split and package units
  • Wall air conditioners
Covered parts under the heating units include;
  • Steam circulating heat
  • Geothermal
  • Electric baseboard
  • Room heaters
  • Floor furnaces
  • Package units
  • Cable heat if it serves as the primary or only source of heat to a room or the home.
  • Wall-mounted heaters
  • Forced air (gas, electric, oil)
  • Mini-splits
  • Heat pumps
Ductwork coverage extends to;
  • Dampers
  • Ductwork leaks
  • Plenums
  • Damper-only controls
While there’s pretty much covered, there are some exclusions that homeowners should be aware of. These include;
  • Piping repairs related to the water source in case you are using a steam circulated heater
  • Fuel storage tanks in case you are using gas or oil
  • Refrigerant and plenum line sets
  • Source of heating for instance wood stoves
  • Portable units
  • Water towers
  • Window units

Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty has separate plans for systems and appliances. Their Bronze Care plan offers coverage for appliances, while their Gold Care plan covers systems. The platinum Care plan combines the appliances and systems to cover them in one comprehensive plan.
 
Being a major home system, the HVAC automatically falls under the Gold Care plan, which covers;
  • Ductwork
  • Heating System
  • Electrical System
  • Water Heater
  • A/C, Cooling
  • Plumbing system
So, here you have your ductwork, heating systems, air conditioning, and cooling systems covered in one plan with the central vacuum as an add-on.
 
Under the A/C Cooling, covered items include;
  • Condenser Fan Motors
  • Relays
  • Cut in Switches
  • Start Assist
  • Condensers
  • Thermostats
  • Thermistor
  • Defrost Boards
  • Compressors
  • Transformers
  • Capacitors
  • Pressure Switch
  • Blower Motors
  • Contactors
The following will be excluded;
  • Flues
  • Humidifiers
  • Pumps
  • Air Cleaners
  • Heat Exchanger
  • Geothermal Heating/Cooling Units
  • Coils
Under the ductwork, all ducts from cooling and or heating units are covered, provided they are not crushed or improperly sized.
 
Parts covered under the heating system include transformers, thermistor, burner assembly, cut in switches, compressors, ignition modules, relays, thermostats, thermocouple, defrost boards, inducer motors, pressure switch, contactors, igniters, pressure switches, capacitors, heating elements, condensers, blower motors, and condenser fan motors. What isn’t covered includes flues, coils, heat exchangers, air cleaners, humidifiers, pumps, and geothermal cooling /heating units.
 
The central vacuum parts are covered, with the only exclusion being clogged pipes.
 
Basically, the three top HVAC home warranty providers will cover your ductwork, heating systems, and air conditioning. The central vacuum is covered by Choice Home Warranty and Select Home Warranty but only as an add-on option.

Home Warranties for HVAC – Expense

Having a rough idea of what is covered by each home warranty provider, you now want to look into two things to determine which home warranty company is the best for HVAC; cost and coverage limits.
 
We sought to see how much a home warranty plan for HVAC could cost by comparing the three top home warranty providers’ prices in Idaho against coverage limits.
 
Cost vs. Coverage Limits Choice Home WarrantyAmerican Home ShieldSelect Home Warranty 
Cost
$610 for the Total plan plus $40 coverage for central vacuum.
 
Total per year $650
$549.84 for the ShieldSiver plan based on a $75 service fee plus $75 AC tune-up per year.
 
Total per year $624.84
$482.04 for the Gold Care plan plus $39.96 for the central vacuum.
 
Total per year $522
Coverage Limits$3,000$1,500 $2,000
Cancellation Fee$50 after the 30-day free cancellation periodEquivalent to one month’s payment after the 30-day free cancellation period$75 after the 30-day free cancellation period
Service Fees$85$75 or $100 or $125
$60
 

Home Warranties for HVAC – Reliability

While cost and coverage are every homeowner’s primary considerations for choosing a home warranty plan, the provider’s reliability matters a lot. Imagine getting yourself a good deal; comprehensive coverage on your appliances and systems, pocket-friendly cost, and generous coverage caps but having to wait a whole month for a service repair or replacement. Or being put on hold for hours, and it takes days to get in touch with the customer care representatives.
 
A home warranty is supposed to give you peace of mind knowing that you can file your claim and get timely service regardless of day or time. This is why it’s important to gauge how reliable a home warranty company is before settling on a plan.
 
Choice Home Warranty has 24/7 customer support, an online portal to file claims, and emergency service is available, and the same goes for Select Home Warranty and American Home Shield. Usually, it takes 2 business days to get a service visit and up to 4 days during the weekends and holidays.
 
With American Home Shield, they’ve set the bar higher with a separate call line for customers who wish to file their claim. However, their workmanship guarantee period is shorter as they offer only 30 days, while Choice Home Warranty and Select Home Warranty each offer 90 days workmanship guarantee.

What is a Home Warranty for your HVAC?

A home warranty for your HVAC will cover any normal wear and tear that results in the system needing repairs or replacement. The HVAC system is an integral system in the home, and if it goes down, you will want a quick and effective repair. 

Repairing and replacing an HVAC unit is expensive. With a home warranty in place, homeowners will be responsible for a service fee or deductible, and then the rest of the repair (up to the policy limit) will be covered. In addition, if an HVAC unit needs to be replaced, the home warranty can cover this as well. 

Even if you have a manufacturer’s warranty on your HVAC unit, the homeowner’s warranty is often more expensive and more useful when the time comes. 

Is A Home Warranty Worth It for HVAC?

HVAC systems are surprisingly complex. They have so many different parts, from air conditioners to ductwork, that can break with little notice.

In fact, HVAC systems, like plumbing systems, are some of the most expensive things in your home. Installing new heating and air conditioning systems in a home can cost upwards of $12,000. Ductwork replacements alone can cost up to $20 per foot and can easily rack up a bill worth thousands of dollars, depending on the size of your house. When it comes to home repairs, you will find that the HVAC system ranks among the highest cost. 

Additionally, regular HVAC system maintenance can cost you a few hundreds of dollars every time a service contractor comes to your home. When you combine this with the cost of maintaining other parts of your house, like your electrical system, owning a home can get expensive quickly.

hvac home warranty facts coverage (2)

But, with the right home warranty contract, you can protect yourself against these unforeseen expenses. Most home warranty providers will offer coverage for heating and air conditioning in your home, so you won’t be liable to pay the full price of a costly repair. This is comprehensive coverage that can cover many other appliances and systems as well. 

Instead, when you are protected by a warranty, you’ll generally just have to pay a small service call fee whenever a repair professional comes to your home. Plus, warranty companies will arrange for a service provider to come directly to your home.

Read Also: Do Deductibles Matter for Home Warranties?

With a home warranty, you won’t have to frantically search around for a plumber or electrician when your air conditioning stops working in the middle of the summer. This is particularly advantageous for first-time homebuyers who may not have enough experience to properly vet a contractor’s abilities in an emergency situation.

Ultimately, unless you have the cash on hand to pay for repairs that can cost thousands of dollars, a home warranty for HVAC is certainly worth it. These companies also offer plenty of support throughout the repair and replacement process, which offers homeowners great peace of mind during a potentially stressful time.

If you live in IdahoWyomingMontana, or North Dakota a home warranty that includes HVAC coverage is essential. Check out our state pages for more recommendations based on your location.

​Would A Home Warranty For HVAC Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Even if you’ve just purchased a new home, at some point, you’ll have to deal with malfunctioning home systems and major appliances. Older air conditioning units and heating systems will naturally need repairs as they age, but will your home warranty cover these costs if they’re caused by pre-existing conditions?

Unfortunately, most home warranties won’t cover a pre-existing condition if it could’ve been detected by a professional conducting routine maintenance. So, if your air conditioner has been leaking freon for a while and you’ve waited until you had a home warranty to fix it, you’ll probably be liable for the costs.

This is why it’s generally best to arrange an inspection of your home before you purchase a warranty plan. While this is usually part of the real estate purchasing process, even if you’re not a new home buyer, it’s worth knowing what pre-existing your house’s systems have, if any. This will help prevent you from being surprised by any repair costs down the line.

These inspections also sometimes give you information about the normal wear that the systems and appliances have encountered and any impending replacement costs for the items in question.

How Soon Can You Use A Home Warranty For HVAC After Purchase?

The vast majority of home warranty companies will have a waiting period after enrollment before you can make your first service call, whether you’re having a problem with your sprinkler system, central vacuum, or your garbage disposal. 

This might seem a bit unfair, but warranty companies have waiting periods to prevent people from taking advantage of their services. If there were no waiting periods, a homeowner that knows they need a new hot water heater could simply sign up for a warranty plan and then get a replacement the next day.

Read Also: What Do The Top Home Warranty Companies Offer?

Every home warranty company is different, so you’ll need to read the specifics in your service contract to see how long you have to wait after you enroll before making your first claim. 

Just exactly how long is your average waiting period? Well, here are some examples:

  • Choice Home Warranty: 30 days
  • American Home Shield: 30 days
  • Select Home Warranty: 30 days
  • Service Plus: 30 days
  • First American Home Warranty: 30 days

As you can see, pretty much all of the best home warranty companies in the industry have a 30 day waiting period before coverage kicks in. 

However, most of the top service providers will waive this waiting period if you’re simply switching plans from one company to another. In these situations, if you can prove that you haven’t had any gaps in your warranty coverage, then you can make your first claim as soon as you enroll.

What To Look For When Picking the Best Home Warranty For HVAC?

There are dozens of different home warranty companies out there, so finding the best one for your HVAC system can be tricky. Here are some of the most important things to look for when shopping around:

Premium Cost

Whenever you buy a home warranty, you’ll have to pay a premium. Your premium is the amount you owe each year in exchange for your coverage.

Premium costs vary quite widely from company to company. But, they’re also very dependent on the size of your home and what you choose to add to your coverage plan. In addition, some companies will change the price of their plan if you are living in Alaska or Hawaii. This is done because of the different issues that can impact a home as you move from one area to another.

Customer Service

A home warranty company that doesn’t have great customer service isn’t much use to you as a homeowner when you’re dealing with a malfunctioning heating system in the middle of the winter.

So, when deciding on your next warranty policy, be sure to do some research into their customer service. Read up on their call center hours to see if they offer 24/7 support. Plus, don’t forget to read through their BBB page and social media profiles to read honest reviews of their customer service.

Service Fee

When you file a claim with a home warranty company, you generally need to pay a service fee if a repair technician is sent to your home – sort of like a co-payment on your health insurance plan. This fee varies from company to company and generally isn’t a huge sum of money.

But, you usually need to pay this every time a service provider comes to your home. So, a lower service fee is generally better for your wallet in the long run.

Inclusions/Exclusions

Before you sign a contract for a home warranty, it’s essential that you know what is and isn’t included in your policy. This is where reading the fine print is of the utmost importance.

For HVAC systems, you’ll need to know if your home’s heating method is covered by a specific plan. Some providers won’t provide coverage for non-traditional heating sources or for certain types of heat pumps.

Additionally, many companies won’t include air conditioning in their basic plans. So, you’ll have to get an add-on or a combo plan to ensure you have coverage for either your central A/C or wall-mounted units.

Read Also: What Are The Top Home Warranties For Appliances?

Finally, an HVAC system is useless without its ductwork. So, read through the fine print to ensure that your home’s ducts are covered under your warranty. Many companies will have limits on precisely how much they will pay for ductwork, which can be potentially problematic if you have a large home.

Plus, if you do need repairs on your ductwork, you’ll have to open up some walls to get the job done. Some warranty companies will not pay to return your walls to their original finished state, which means you’ll be left with sizable out-of-pocket costs.

Warranty Cost Coverage Limits

Warranty companies won’t necessarily cover all of your expenses if you need to make a claim. In fact, they’ll have coverage maximums clearly outlined in their terms of service.

When trying to decipher how much a company will actually pay, you’ll need to look at two things: the maximum cost and the per-item coverage.

Some providers will offer higher coverage maximums if you have their premium plans, while others have a single limit across all of their contracts. Additionally, companies will have a limit on how much they’ll pay to repair or replace a single item.

This can make a big difference when it comes to your out-of-pocket costs, especially for an expensive appliance like a heat pump. So, higher per-item and maximum coverage limits are ideal when it comes to home warranties.

Read Also: What Are The Best Home Warranties For A Heat Pump?

Basic Plan vs. Add-Ons

As you start shopping for warranties for your HVAC system, you’ll notice that you can often choose between a basic plan and various add-ons. While some companies allow you to build your own warranty, others give you pre-set options that you can choose from.

The majority of companies will include heating and ductwork as part of a basic home warranty plan. However, coverage for air conditioning units often costs extra since not all homes have A/C installed.

What’s important is that you get enough coverage to adequately protect yourself in case your HVAC system malfunctions. If you’re going to pay a premium for a home warranty, it should fully cover your most expensive home systems. So, be sure to read the fine print and choose the plan that’s right for you.

Read Also: What Are The Best Home Warranty Plans For A Furnace?

How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies for HVAC Coverage

At Review Home Warranties, we strive to deliver comprehensive and unbiased reviews for each provider. Our methodology is a step-by-step process that ensures we maintain your trust through transparency and data that is backed up through routine check-ins.

When we picked our best home warranty companies for HVAC coverage, we reviewed and analyzed over 50 different companies. We then narrowed down our findings based on criteria that we find to be the most helpful for a homeowner in choosing a home warranty plan. Here is what our review process looks like: 

  • We call every home warranty provider, talking to sales agents and company representatives to gather accurate information on: 
    • Availability 
    • Pricing
    • Coverage
    • Fine Print 
    • Plan Options  
    • Service Contract Details 
    • Customer Service
    • Trustworthiness
    • Ratings and Reviews 
    • Add-On Options 
    • Promotions
    • Additional Benefits
  • We test customer service, including factors such as wait times, friendliness, and problem-solving ability.
  • We analyze the sample contracts and fine print from each brand we review. This allows us to break down the industry jargon, check for hidden stipulations, and see what is and isn’t covered so we can give readers straightforward information.
  • We update all of this information on a continuous basis, storing it in a proprietary database that allows us to compare dozens of home warranty companies against each other. 

From here we created a comprehensive, 100 point, rating scale based on the following factors: 

  • Plan options (25): Providers that offer more flexibility in their plans are rated higher.
  • Coverage specifics (5): The more items covered in a home warranty plan, the higher the score. 
  • Pricing (25): We take the monthly fee and service fee into consideration when rating pricing. 
  • Trustworthiness (25): We comb through hundreds of reviews and check on BBB ratings to determine the trustworthiness of a company.
  • State availability (5): Finding coverage in your state can be a challenge if home warranty companies aren’t located there. The more states covered, the higher the score. 
  • Customer service (10): Is this home warranty company responsive? Do they respond quickly to claims filed? Are they helpful in answering questions? All of these factors are considered when rating customer service. 
  • Additional benefits (5): Home warranty companies will typically offer special promotions or benefits for signing up for their services. The companies with the most benefit scored higher. 

Of the 50 different companies that we’ve reviewed, we’ve broken down the five best providers for home warranty HVAC coverage. To keep our ratings and data current, we have a full-time researcher who collects (and regularly updates) more than 100 specific data points from each company to help us compare them on key factors such as coverage, cost, service, and dependability. This list is ever-changing, as companies will update policies and procedures, and we will change our information accordingly.

Our Top Pick For A Home Warranty On HVAC

There are a lot of great home warranties for HVAC systems out there. But, if we had to choose just one, Choice Home Warranty would be our top pick. Here’s why:

  • Great Customer Support. Choice’s call center is available 24/7, every single day of the year to help you with any issues that arise in your home.
  • Good Coverage. The company’s total plan offers good coverage of heating systems, air conditioning, and ductwork in your home.
  • Reasonable Service Fee. When you make a claim with Choice Home Warranty, your service fee is just $85.
  • Minimum Wait Period. With a waiting period of 30 days after enrollment before you can make your first claim, Choice Home Warranty is on-par with other leaders in the industry.
  • Free Second Opinions. If you’d like a second opinion on any service done on your home, Choice will provide it for free.
  • Free Reservice. Should there be an issue with any repairs completed on your house, Choice Home Warranty offers a 30 day free reservice period for labor and 90 days for parts.

Now that you’ve reached the end of this HVAC review, we encourage you to pick a company that covers this system in your hometown. We’ve reviewed several cities around the country that cover HVAC and other items, like Colorado Springs, San Antonio, Waco, Madison and Tulsa.

Want to learn more about home warranties for different systems? Check out our review on a home warranty for a well pump.


Our Top Picks Recap

  # 1 Our Top Choice Choice Home Warranty
Editorial Rating 98.50
  • $50 Off + 1 month free
  • Won't deny coverage if systems/appliances are old
  • Free cancellation within 30 days
  • Emergency service available
  • Reservice for failed repairs
  # 2 Liberty Home Guard
Editorial Rating 98.00
  • $200 off + 1 Month Free + Free Roof Coverage!
  • BBB's Only A+ Accredited Home Warranty Company!
  • Newly designed customer claim portal
  • Lower chance of claim denial
  • Multiple optional coverage items
  • 24/7 service calls
  # 3 American Home Shield
Editorial Rating 97.60
  • Get $50 off
  • Lower chance of claim denial
  • 24/7 service calls and online service
  • Large and established firm
  • Choose your own service fee!
  • Market veteran
  • $150 off + 2 months free
  • FREE Roof Leak Coverage
  • Good selection of plans
  • Must file claims within 3 days
  • $75 cancellation fee
  # 5 Cinch Home Services
Editorial Rating 95.30
  • First 2 Months Free on all Plans! (exclusions apply)
  • Industry-leading 180-day workmanship guarantee
  • $500 Homeowner insurance deductible reimbursement
  • Thousands of reliable & fast local service providers
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Low cancellation fee

Home Warranty for HVAC FAQs

Below are just some of the frequently asked questions we receive about home warranties for HVAC.

Q.

Do home warranties cover HVAC systems?

A.
Most home warranties do cover heating and air conditioning systems in your home. They will cover systems powered by electricity, oil, or gas, along with the system of ductwork that carries the hot or cooled air throughout the home.
Q.

Does American Home Shield cover HVAC systems?

A.
Yes, AHS covers the repair and replacement of air conditioning and heating system components, including ductwork. AHS covers a single system including geothermal, water source heat pumps, and hot water or steam circulating systems. The coverage dollar limit is $1,500. 
Q.

Who offers the best HVAC coverage?

A.
In the HVAC category, Choice Home Warranty offers good coverage and the highest dollar limit at $3,000. The others offer similar coverage but at lower dollar limits. Here is a breakdown of coverage from the top five providers:

Home Warranty Provider
Includes Ductwork
$$ Limit
Choice Home Warranty
Yes
$3,000
American Home Shield
Yes 
$1,500
Select Home Warranty
Yes
$2,000
Liberty Home Guard
Yes
$1,600
Cinch Home Services
Yes
$1,500
Q.

What does a home warranty cover?

A.
A home warranty is meant to cover a range of appliances and systems in your home from breakdown due to everyday wear and tear. A home warranty can cover everything from your electrical system to the garbage disposal. Here are a few details on what you can expect in terms of coverage in a home warranty Premium Plan.

Among the systems covered:
  • HVAC, including ductwork
  • Plumbing, including stoppages
  • Electric
  • Water heater
  • Whirlpool bathtubs
  • Ceiling and exhaust fans

Among the appliances typically covered:

  • Refrigerator
  • Built-in microwave oven
  • Range / Stove / Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Clothes Washer
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Garage door opener

Among other add-on options besides septic, you could get coverage for:
  • Pool / Spa
  • Sump pump
  • Well pump
  • Limited Roof leaks
Q.

How Quickly Will My HVAC Be Fixed With A Home Warranty In Place?

A.

When purchasing your home warranty policy, it is a good idea to learn about the service request times and how they are impacted by your plan. Some plans guarantee that you have a service technician in your home within 24-48 hours. If you read the fine print, many will not guarantee a fix inside a 30-day window. 

If it's summertime in Ohio and your HVAC unit goes down, this may not be a large concern. However, living in Florida during that same period, you will be very uncomfortable for a few days. Knowing how long you may have to be without your HVAC system running will help you purchase a better plan. 

Most companies strive to have your issues fixed as soon as they can. It's better for the home warranty company to have the issues off their list, and it's better for their reputation as well. Many of these home warranty companies grow by word of mouth. Their reputation and the way they handle issues are essential.

Q.

Is a home warranty for HVAC systems worth it?

A.
Even at the lower coverage amounts (say, $1,600) the cost of a home warranty plan for multiple systems and appliances runs less than half of that per year. While a home warranty won’t necessarily cover the cost of a complete HVAC replacement, the coverage limits go a long way in protecting your budget.
Q.

Do Home Warranties Cover HVAC Replacement?

A.
Many people get a warranty plan to cover their home appliances, like dishwashers, water heaters, and ice makers. However, most of the top home warranty providers, like Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield, also include HVAC repairs and replacement as part of their covered systems. That being said, every home warranty contract offers different plan options that include and exclude specific covered items. Some providers will include heating and air conditioning systems repair and replacement as part of their basic plan. Meanwhile, others will require you to pay an extra monthly payment for add-ons that include this additional coverage.