Warranties · independent publisher, not a contractor
AC installation warranties, explained
A new AC carries two separate warranties: the manufacturer's on the parts, often conditional on registering the unit, and the installing contractor's on the labor. A quote should state both, with their lengths, in writing.
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At a glance
The two warranties on a new AC
| Equipment (parts) | Labor | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gives it | The manufacturer | The installing contractor |
| What it covers | Parts that fail: compressor, coil, fan motors, boards | The work of installing, and of replacing failed parts |
| Conditions | Often registration within a set period; licensed installation | Whatever the contract says; varies widely |
| Where to read it | The manufacturer's warranty document for the model | The contract |
The gap matters: a parts warranty that covers a compressor does not pay the labor to replace it. Ask what a compressor replacement would cost you in year three under each quote's terms.
Who pays when something fails?
| Scenario | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Part fails inside both warranties | Manufacturer | Contractor |
| Part fails after the labor warranty ends | Manufacturer, if still in term | You |
| Unit was never registered | Possibly a shorter term, or you | Per the contract |
| Installation fault (leak at a joint, bad charge) | Contractor's responsibility under the contract | Contractor |
General patterns; the model's warranty document and your contract decide each case.
What can void or shorten a warranty
- Not registering the equipment in time.
- Installation by an unlicensed installer. California requires a CSLB license, C-20 for HVAC, for permitted work.
- Skipping the permit, and with it the Title 24 tests that document correct charge and duct sealing.
- A mismatched outdoor unit and indoor coil.
- Missed maintenance, if the terms require it.
Manufacturer vs third-party extended warranties
Manufacturer extended
Sold through the installer, tied to the equipment, usually needs registration. Check whether it adds labor or only parts.
Third-party or contractor plan
Backed by a separate company or the contractor. Check who pays claims, exclusions, and what happens if the contractor closes.
How a warranty claim works
- Call the installing contractor with the model and serial numbers and the install date.
- Diagnosis. They confirm which part failed and whether it is covered.
- Part claim. The contractor claims the part from the manufacturer using your registration.
- Repair. Labor is covered if the labor warranty is still in term; otherwise it is billed.
- Keep the record of the repair with the original paperwork.
Keeping the warranty valid
- Register within the manufacturer's window and keep the confirmation.
- Follow the maintenance the terms require, and keep dated receipts.
- Use a licensed contractor for repairs; unlicensed work can void coverage.
- Change filters as the manufacturer specifies; restricted airflow stresses the equipment.
A simple yearly schedule is in maintaining a new AC.
What to get in writing
- The parts warranty length, and who registers the unit.
- The labor warranty length and what it covers.
- Whether any extended warranty is from the manufacturer or a third party, and its price.
- The finalled permit and the test results.
- Any maintenance the terms require, and how often.
- Whether the warranties transfer to a buyer.
Keep one folder
Contract, invoice, model and serial numbers, registration confirmation, finalled permit, Title 24 test results and maintenance receipts. That folder is what every warranty claim and every buyer's inspector asks for. More in what to check after installation.
Permits and tests: permit guide. Compare terms across bids in the quote tool; check totals against the cost guide.
Sources
- California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 832.20, via Cornell LII (retrieved 2026-09-29)
- California Energy Commission, "Building Energy Efficiency Resources for Single Family Homes" (retrieved 2026-09-29)
Questions
What is the difference between an equipment and a labor warranty?
The equipment warranty is the manufacturer's, and covers parts that fail. The labor warranty is the installing contractor's, and covers the work of installing and of replacing failed parts. A failed compressor can be free as a part and still cost labor to swap.
Do I have to register my new AC?
Many manufacturers give a longer parts warranty only if the unit is registered within a set period after installation. Ask the contractor whether they register it, and keep the confirmation.
How long is a typical AC warranty?
Lengths vary by manufacturer, model and whether the unit is registered, and labor terms vary by contractor. We do not print a typical figure because we have no dated LA source for one; read the model's warranty document and the contract.
Is an extended warranty worth it?
Ask who backs it (the manufacturer or a third party), what it adds beyond the standard parts warranty, whether it covers labor, and what it costs. Compare that with the labor warranty already in the contract before you pay for more.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell the house?
Some manufacturer warranties transfer and some do not, and some need a transfer form or fee. Check the model's warranty document; keep the registration confirmation with the house records.
Who do I call when something fails under warranty?
The installing contractor first. They diagnose the failure, claim the part from the manufacturer and, if the labor warranty applies, do the work. Have the model and serial numbers, install date and registration ready.
Is the labor warranty required by law?
We do not give legal advice on that, and the length is set by the contract. What matters for comparing quotes is that each one states the labor warranty in years and what it covers, so you can compare like with like.
Does an unpermitted installation affect the warranty?
It can. Manufacturer terms commonly require installation by a licensed contractor to code. An unpermitted job also skips the Title 24 tests that document the installation was done correctly.
Next step
Free quote request
Get a quote to check against these numbers
- Tell us about the job. Service, ZIP, property and timing. The form says right away if your ZIP is outside the area.
- We check the license first. Requests go only to contractors whose CSLB C-20 license we have matched on the state register. If none covers your ZIP yet, we email you and say so.
- Compare what comes back. Line the written quote up against the published ranges and the quote checklist.
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