Merriam-Webster lists three definitions of the word “warranty” but in my opinion, the best one is this: A usually written guarantee of the integrity of a product and of the maker’s responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective parts.
Seems rather clear to me.
I think most people will agree that big-ticket items like cars and items with a lot of moving parts need to come with a good warranty. With new cars, it is easy to drive to the dealer or an approved mechanic to comply with the conditions of the warranty, and there will probably be a helpful person to help you keep the paperwork in order. With a central HVAC system, the technician charged with keeping your heating and cooling system in compliance must come to your house and will be focused on your system, not the fine print on the paperwork. There are a few things that homeowners must do to avoid warranty problems. The first is to go online and register the warranty within the time window allowed. If you are not good on the computer, ask a 10-year-old to help you or mail the form in using snail-mail. Next, stick to the annual or bi-annual maintenance schedule because no warranty will cover a poorly maintained HVAC system. If you are a DIYer, think very hard before taking your tools and cheap replacement parts to make even a simple repair. It could void the warranty. DIYers should never attempt an installation unless they are certified as installers. The final tip seems the easiest but is often the most difficult and that is to document every service call and keep the records to prove you are in compliance with your HVAC warranty.