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Heating & Air Conditioning

Carrier Heat Pump failure - unit less than two years old

7 years ago

Have heard/ seen stories regarding Carrier heat pump failures; (here: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/carrier-infinity-compressor-life-expectancy-dsvw-vd~2425637 - and others)

My story: Local professional (registered representative) installed Carrier 2 stage heat pump model #25HCB636A - in August 2014. By May of this year (2016) - unit would not create cool air. Local pro (same one who installed system) diagnosed; now says that (after consultation with Carrier) that the condenser has failed (and Carrier acknowledges that the unit is in warranty)...

The issue: Carrier warranty will pay to replace the part - but will not cover labor. The labor cost to replace is just under $1,000. What suggestions would you make for me, please?

[Mike (mike_home) - thanks for the past advice/ encouragement to pursue/ post this to a new thread.]

Evan evan@metamg.com

Featured Answer

tigerdunes

7 years ago

no suggestions...unless you had an ext warranty to cover labor, then that is your responsibility...I encourage all homeowners who read this to make certain new HVAC is registered properly for manufacturer's warranty and to understand what is covered and what is not covered...

IMO

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Comments (6)

klem1
7 years ago
Everthing you said is correct tiger but to be clear,are you suggesting home owners should buy extended warranties? IMO the majority of extended warranties are not worth buying.
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tigerdunes
7 years ago
I am not recommending 3rd party warranty companies. They have too many exclusions, use low end dealer network, and for the most part one sided and worthless. I do recommend getting price on a manufacturer's ext warranty and weigh the cost at time of purchase. Usually it's around 10% of the purchase price for a new system. In your case, I think Carrier and the installing dealer should be willing to help you out on the labor. Bet they won't though.

IMO
fsq4cw
7 years ago
I would go further and
suggest homeowners purchase the 10-year parts & labour warranties AND an
annual service contract. This way the installer/manufacturer has virtually no
‘Outs’. I have seen too many cases when clients have been charged – even with
10-year parts & labour warranties for things not covered. As an example, a part
has to be ordered (not in the truck) necessitating a ‘second’ trip that is not covered.

If you’re one of the
‘unlucky’ ones that does have problems with your system you’ll be glad you
purchased all the warranties and service contracts. HVAC repairs
become very expensive very fast! You’d do better to have all
the leverage you possibly can to argue your position.

Before signing a contract,
after the salesman tells you about your wonderful warranty, ask them, ‘what is not covered under this warranty; what
might constitute an extra charge?”

You might be surprised!

I know there are many that
would say, “If the product is well built and installed you shouldn’t need
extended warranties”. I would like to agree, but when it’s +90˚F or -15˚F outside
and your system is fried – try telling that to the guy in the truck or his boss
on the phone!

IMPO

SR
klem1
7 years ago
You won't find an extended warranty that say's "everthing is covered except".
mike_home
7 years ago
I could be wrong, but I think any loss of refrigerant is not covered by extended warranties.

The OP should get a detailed explanation of what part has failed and why. My first thought it was due to a bad installation. But that is difficult for a homeowner to prove.

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