Ask Me Help Desk - HVAC Extended Warranty

OK guys, gals, I need some help, advice... I purchased and had installed a 12 seer Trane Heat Pump, AC, to include the air handler in June 1999, ducts were fine and I did not have the contractors touch those. The HVAC contractor ripped out the old system, installed the new system which included a the new outside unit and the new coil, air handler inside. The system came with a manufacturers warrantly of one year, think the compressor outside came with a limited warranty of 4 yrs. I almost never purchase "extended" warranties but did in this case. Good that I did because in late 2000 the coil inside the air handler developed a leak and had to be replaced, didn't cost me one penny but would have cost about $1000. Had I not purchased the extended warranty for 10 yrs for a fee of $375.00, had a couple of more minor issues since 2000 but nothing major. Now I've been told the compressor outside is almost shot and has to be replaced. I have maintaned the unit as prescribed by the terms of the extended warranty and had the unit serviced on a regular basis. The compressor was ordered and an install time was set. Then the contractor called and said he wanted to let us know of the cost. Wow, what a surprise ! The contractor said that the compressor was about $2000. And the warranty company was allowing me roughly $800. Toward the cost of the compressor. I would have to pay the difference of approx almost $1200. I read my warranty and no where does it say that the old compressor would be depreciated. I really would appreciate any suggestions, comments, ideas or experience anyone has had with extended warranties on HVAC compressors.

Wow, the whole scenario is not to sweet. There shouldn't be a problem with the compessor in only 7 years. Why do they think it is going bad? Did they do a megaohm reading? Most of the time, a compressor failure, comes from improper refrigerant charge, or moisture in the system, I'll let you draw your own conclusions, if it has been maintained annually. There are several manufacturers out there that carry a standard 5 year on all part warranty, and 10 years on a high efficiency compressor. I would replace the whole thing with a different brand and dealer before I put $1200 into a 6 year old heat pump. But from what you are saying, I'd tell you to run that compressor to death and find a new company to work with.

Hey thanks for your input ! Didn't really know what to ask since I am an insurance agent not a HVAC man. But let me answer a couple of questions you raised... or try to... I was home when the tech came by... sorry to say I didn't go outside with him, he was out there maybe 10 minutes, came back in, told me (after I told him it was making a lot of unusually loud noise... dont know if he did the "megaohm reading" you mentioned but I will ask. He was the same tech who came by a few months ago, serviced the unit, washed the outside unit with garden hose and chemicals... think he might have added some refrigerant then but I am not sure... didn't see him turn the refrigerant bottle upside down or anything like that.. I am not near the beach but am about 50 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, had no floods but had about 4 hurrricanes come over me with only a couple having really high winds... any other ideas or questions. I can't see where in the extended 10 yr warranty where they can depreciate the compressor and make me pay the difference for a new one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardBondMan

Hey thanks for your input ! Didnt really know what to ask since I am an insurance agent not a HVAC man. But let me answer a couple of questions you raised.....or try to.... I was home when the tech came by.... sorry to say I didnt go outside with him, he was out there maybe 10 minutes, came back in, told me (after I told him it was making a lot of unusually loud noise.....dont know if he did the "megaohm reading" you mentioned but I will ask. He was the same tech who came by a few months ago, serviced the unit, washed the outside unit with garden hose and chemicals.... think he might have added some refrigerant then but I am not sure.... didnt see him turn the refrigerant bottle upside down or anything like that.. I am not near the beach but am about 50 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, had no floods but had about 4 hurrricanes come over me with only a couple having really high winds......any other ideas or questions. I can't see where in the extended 10 yr warranty where they can depreciate the compressor and make me pay the difference for a new one.

Carefully read the contract is all I can say. He shouldn't be adding refrigerant unless you still have a leak, granted sometimes we know there is a leak, but probably to small to be worth repairing so we let them go.

Sounds to me like you bought a lemon or your installer did not do the job correctly.

Sounds like your being taken for a ride, Its true that if refrigerant was added then it is ether got a leak in the system or the unit was not properly charged to begin with. Most units come from factory with enough refrigerant for a 15' line set(the copper tubes going to the air handler) if it is longer than that more refrigerant needs to be added. The system is a sealed system and should never need refrigerant added. If you did have a leak then it could have gotten non condensibles in the system and that could cause compressor failure. Someone should have told you this the first time refrigerant had to be added. I would call a different service company for a second opinion.Also contact the warranty co and see what they advise

Former trane manager. Call the local trane office and ask to speak with the field service representative (fSR). This is the person who works with the factory and the warranty person for trane when issues like this occur. He is the technical expert and if you maintained the system he may be able to provide some help. If it is outside the extended warranty period it may be a tough one to get approved, but call them.

Yearout1
The thread was posted in November 2007, I would hope it has been resolved by now

Sad, to say the least. I charge less for an entire new unit than your contractor does for a minor compressor replacement that takes me less than two hours. Visit my web site for prices and use it as a reference to hire contractors in the future. [email protected] Florida State Certified Mechanical Contractor.