HVAC Warranty: What to Expect on Labour vs. Parts

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Parts vs. labour: two different warranties

When you buy a furnace, heat pump, air conditioner, or water heater, the coverage on it comes from two different places, and homeowners are often surprised by the split when a repair happens years later.

• Parts warranty: comes from the manufacturer. It covers the physical components (compressor, heat exchanger, control board, motors) if they fail. Lengths vary by brand and part, but 5 to 10 years is typical, with the longer term often requiring you to register the unit within a set window after installation.
• Labour warranty: comes from the contractor who installed the equipment. It covers the cost of the technician's time to diagnose and swap a failed part. This is usually much shorter, commonly 1 to 2 years, though some installers offer extended labour coverage.

The reason this matters: five years in, a covered part can arrive free from the manufacturer, but if your labour warranty expired at year two, you still pay for the diagnostic visit and the hours to install it. Knowing where each warranty ends helps you budget honestly.

What typically voids or shortens coverage

Most manufacturers attach conditions to their parts warranties. The common ones worth knowing before you sign:

• Registration: many brands only honour their full parts term (say, 10 years) if you register the serial number within 60 to 90 days of install. Miss it and coverage often drops to a shorter base term. A good installer registers it for you, but confirm it was done.
• Licensed installation: manufacturers can deny a claim if the equipment was installed by someone without the proper trade licensing, or without required permits. In BC, gas appliances must be installed by a licensed gas fitter and permitted through Technical Safety BC.
• Maintenance records: some warranties require documented annual servicing. Keep your invoices.
• Proper sizing and matched components: mismatched or oversized equipment can be grounds for a denied claim.

This is one of the practical reasons to use a licensed, insured contractor rather than the cheapest quote. A warranty is only as good as the paperwork and the installation behind it.

Extended warranties: worth it or not?

Some manufacturers and third parties sell extended labour or parts coverage on top of the standard warranty. Whether it's worth it depends on the equipment and the price. Extended labour coverage can make sense on complex systems where a failed major component means an expensive service call. For a straightforward, well-installed system, the base warranty plus routine maintenance is often enough. Read exactly what's covered, who honours it, and whether it's transferable if you sell your home, before paying extra.

Questions to ask before you buy

• How long is the manufacturer's parts warranty on this exact model, and does it require registration?
• How long is your labour warranty, and what does it cover, diagnosis, the part swap, refrigerant?
• Will you register the equipment for me, and can I get proof?
• Is the warranty transferable if I sell the house?
• What maintenance do I need to keep coverage valid?

If a quote doesn't spell out both warranties clearly in writing, that's a reason to ask more questions before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Reviewed by the CANRO Heating & Cooling service team — July 07, 2026. Technical Safety BC gas licence LGA0043870 · boiler licence LBP0046450 · Red Seal certified · WorkSafeBC and liability insured · 4.9★ from 85+ Google reviews · serving Metro Vancouver since 1999 · (604) 359-1081.