Understanding Home Warranty Heating and Air Conditioning Coverage

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are typically the most expensive systems in your home to repair or replace. A new heating system can run up to $7,500, while an AC system can cost up to $12,500.*

A First American home warranty can help you avoid major unplanned expenses like these when your HVAC system breaks down. In fact, broken heating and cooling systems are one of the top reasons people use their home warranty coverage. Things often break when you least expect them and can least afford the repair. Thankfully, we don’t limit the total dollar amount for repairs or replacement of conventional heating and air conditioning systems.

So, what’s covered and how does it work? Home warranty contracts aren’t always easy to understand, so we’ve broken down First American’s heating, air conditioning, and ductwork coverage for you.

What HVAC Systems Are Covered?

Air Conditioning

• Central air conditioning systems, including heat pumps
• Mini-split ductless systems (Essential, Premium plans)
• Evaporative coolers
• Built-in electric wall units
• Refrigerant recharge (see Refrigerant coverage below)

Heating

• Gas, electric, and oil furnaces
• Heat pumps
• Mini-split ductless systems (Essential, Premium plans)
• Radiators
• Baseboard heaters
• Thermostats
• Many internal heating system components, including:
• Hydronic circulating pumps
• Heating elements
• Furnace gas valves

Our Premium plan also includes registers, grills, and filters for your HVAC system.

To see exact coverage, it’s easy to get a quote and review the sample contract.

Ductwork

Ductwork carries heated or cooled air from your HVAC system to the rooms in your home. First American’s home warranty coverage includes repairing or replacing ductwork due to normal wear and tear. For example, separated or disconnected ductwork, and holes or tears in ducts.

Refrigerant

HVAC refrigerant is a cooling substance that circulates through your air conditioning system, absorbing heat from inside your home and releasing it outdoors.

All our plans include refrigerant recharging. The Premium plan covers unlimited refrigerant recharging, and the Starter and Essential plans cover refrigerant recharging up to $20 per pound and total recharging costs over $250.

Recapture, Reclaim, and Disposal of Refrigerant

When components of your AC system need repair, the technician may need to safely remove, or “recapture,” the refrigerant using special equipment before they can correctly complete the repair. This is also required by law, as it protects the environment. In some cases, the refrigerant can be reused or reclaimed; if it can't be, it must be disposed of properly.

Recapture, reclaim, and disposal of refrigerant is covered by our Essential and Premium plans. See Additional HVAC Coverage below for more information about coverage limits.

Additional HVAC Coverage (Essential and Premium Plans)

Some HVAC repairs involve additional work beyond repairing the equipment itself, as well as other special situations. Our Essential and Premium plans help cover these costs:

The four benefits below share one combined coverage limit of $500 with the Essential plan and $1,000 with the Premium plan. For example, if your repair requires both a crane and a building permit, the costs for both count toward the same combined limit.

See the sample contract for complete details and limits.

What’s Not Covered

Home warranty plans cover repairing and replacing major heating and cooling equipment to restore your home’s comfortable temperatures. Like homeowners insurance, a warranty doesn’t cover everything. HVAC accessories and specialized equipment typically aren't covered, nor are fireplaces/stoves, or portable heating and cooling units.

Here are some items that aren’t covered by our home warranty plans. To see exactly what is covered, it’s easy to get a quote and review the sample contract.

Air Conditioning Items Not Covered

• Humidifiers and dehumidifiers
• Ultraviolet lights
• Gas air conditioners
• Wine room cooling units

Heating Items Not Covered

• Portable or space heaters
• Fireplaces and inserts
• Wood, pellet, and stove-style heating units
• Chimneys, flues, and vents

Ductwork Items Not Covered

• Improperly sized ductwork
• Damaged ductwork (including collapsed, crushed, or moisture-damaged ducts)
• Duct insulation and dampers
• Ductwork containing asbestos
• Locating leaks or diagnostic ductwork testing is required by law or when installing or replacing HVAC equipment

Other HVAC Items Not Covered

• Advanced HVAC control technology, including zone control and management systems
• Underground or outside piping for geothermal or water source heat pumps

Learn more about What’s Not Covered by a Home Warranty.

How Heating and Air Conditioning Service Requests Work

With a First American home warranty, you have a simple and convenient way to get help when your system isn’t working:

• Submit a service request by phone or online 24/7 and pay the service fee.
• We’ll assign a prescreened service provider to schedule a time of your choosing to come to your home and diagnose the issue.
• Once coverage is confirmed, the technician will repair your heating or AC system. If your system can’t be repaired, we’ll replace it.

Your contract spells out exactly what’s covered, not covered, and limitations. Don’t have coverage yet? It’s easy to get a quote and review the sample contract. You can also check out HVAC Home Warranty Coverage Limits to get more details.

When You May Have Out-of-Pocket Costs

While a home warranty can cover repairing or replacing your heating and cooling system equipment, there may be some costs that aren't covered. Here are some examples:

Structural Modifications

If replacement heating or air conditioning equipment requires changes to the structure of your home to accommodate a new unit, those costs are your responsibility. This can include changes to walls, ceilings, roofing, concrete pads, or framing. Some examples of work that are not covered by a home warranty include enlarging an attic access opening, modifying a closet or concrete pad, or framing and carpentry.

Access Through Walls, Floors, and Ceilings

Sometimes it’s necessary to open a wall, floor, or ceiling to access heating or AC equipment. When this happens, the area is repaired so that it is structurally complete but may need cosmetic or decorative work such as paint, texture, staining, or refinishing. For example, access through drywall would be patched, but not textured or painted.

Why First American HVAC Coverage Stands Out

• No total dollar limit on fixing or replacing conventional heating and air conditioning systems
• Covers systems regardless of age (if in safe working condition when coverage begins)
• No maintenance records required
• Replacement equipment meets current efficiency standards
• Compatibility modifications are included when needed
• Coverage for improper installation or repairs (Essential/Premium plans)

Review First American home warranty plans or get a free quote to learn more about our coverage.

FAQs About HVAC Coverage

Does a home warranty cover heating and air conditioning?

All our home warranty plans cover heating and air conditioning except the Starter plan, which offers AC coverage as an option. Our plans also have no total dollar limit on heating and AC coverage for conventional systems. Geothermal and specialty systems are also covered but have a $1,500 coverage limit.

Will I receive the exact same equipment if mine is replaced?

We’ll replace your heating or AC equipment with that of similar features, efficiency, and capacity. We do not match dimensions, brand, or model.

Are mini-split systems covered?

Yes, mini-split ductless systems, including ductless air conditioners and heat pumps, are covered in our Essential and Premium plans.

Is refrigerant covered?

Refrigerant is covered in all plans. All refrigerant recharging is covered for the Premium plan, and for Essential and Starter plans, it’s covered up to $20 per pound and a total cost over $250. This means that $250 is the most you would need to pay for refrigerant with those plans.

Are older heating and air conditioning systems covered?

The age of your heating or AC system doesn’t matter. As long as it’s in safe working order when your home warranty starts, we’ll cover it no matter how old.

Do I need maintenance records?

We don’t require maintenance or service records for our home warranty coverage.

What happens if my heating or AC system can't be repaired?

If your system can’t be repaired, we’ll replace it with one that meets current energy-efficiency standards. And with no total dollar limit on conventional heating or air conditioning systems, you don’t have to worry about paying for a new heating or AC unit that can cost $7,500 to $12,500.*

*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members. Items listed may be optional or not available on some home warranty plans; please review the sample contract for specific coverage, terms and limitations.