12/08/2024
Understanding Your Air Conditioner Warranty: What’s Covered and What’s Not
When it comes to keeping your home or office cool and comfortable, your air conditioner plays an essential role. One crucial aspect of maintaining your system is understanding the warranty that comes with it. Knowing what your warranty covers and what it doesn’t can save you from unexpected expenses and ensure your air conditioner lasts for years to come. In this post, we’ll explore the recommended maintenance, the specifics of installation and manufacturer warranties, and the common issues that are typically not covered.
Understanding Your Warranty
Installation Warranty
Your installation warranty typically covers the integrity of the interconnecting pipework and contents, the entire air handling duct network within the roof space, all air diffusion components, and drainage issues. However, any water leaks caused by disruption by others are not warranted. Additionally, zone system faults related to installation and unit faults, if found to be a manufacturer’s fault, are covered under their warranty terms. This warranty ensures that the components and workmanship involved in the installation are up to standard, providing you with peace of mind that your system has been installed correctly and safely. It’s important to understand the specifics of your installation warranty, as different contractors may offer varying coverage periods and conditions.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty for air conditioning units typically lasts for five years and includes parts and labour. This warranty covers any faults or defects that arise from the manufacturing process, ensuring that the manufacturer will take responsibility for repairing or replacing defective components. If an air conditioning unit fails due to a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer will assume responsibility to address these issues under their warranty terms. This warranty is crucial as it protects you from the costs associated with fixing defects that were present when the unit was made. Always make sure to register your air conditioner with the manufacturer to activate the warranty and keep a copy of your purchase receipt and warranty documents in a safe place.
What Is Not Covered by Warranty
Certain issues are not covered by the warranty. These include blocked filters, blocked drains, flat batteries, faults due to lack of maintenance or service, power circuits turned off, call-out fees for items not covered by the warranty, power surges or reduced power supply, user errors including incorrect controller settings, and service or attempts to service by unauthorized people, including homeowners. Additionally, water or storm damage, lightning strikes, duct issues such as leaks or damage by rodents, animals, or people, electrical issues or faults not caused by the air conditioner, and undersized equipment for the heat load of the building are not covered. Understanding what is not covered by your warranty helps you take preventive measures to avoid these issues and understand your responsibilities in maintaining your air conditioner. Regular professional maintenance can help you avoid many of these common problems, ensuring that your system remains covered under warranty.
To learn more about your air conditioners warranty, contact us or visit our dedicated warranty page:
The Importance of Regular Maintenance for Your Air Conditioner
One of the most common reasons for air conditioning failures or poor performance is the misconception that these systems never need servicing. Just like your car, your air conditioner requires regular maintenance to extend its lifespan, lower running costs, and ensure peak performance for both cooling and heating. Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to a buildup of dirt and debris, which can obstruct airflow, reduce efficiency, and even cause system breakdowns. Over time, this neglect can lead to costly repairs or the need for an entirely new system. Regular servicing helps in identifying potential issues before they become major problems, ensuring that your air conditioner runs smoothly and efficiently throughout its life.
Recommended Service Intervals
To keep your air conditioning system running smoothly, we recommend adhering to the recommended service intervals. Here at Ford & Doonan, we highly recommend that you service your air conditioning unit at least once a year, with a six-twelve monthly filter clean. This is our recommendation because it ensures that you have your air-con operating at its highest efficiency, no matter the season. For commercial systems, we recommend servicing twice annually, with filters cleaned quarterly. All air conditioners contain a filter that captures dust before it can block the coil. It is critical that these filters are cleaned or replaced regularly. Nothing is more damaging to an air conditioners performance and running costs than a dirty or blocked filter. A clean filter not only improves the air quality in your home or office but also reduces the strain on your air conditioning system, helping it to run more efficiently and last longer.
Check out our simple and easy to follow DIY videos on how to clean the filter in your ducted or wall split air conditioner:
Why Servicing and Call-Outs Are Not Covered by Ford & Doonan
Understanding why servicing and call-outs are not covered by Ford & Doonan under the warranty is essential for managing expectations and ensuring your air conditioning system operates smoothly. One of the main challenges is that every zoning system manufacturer has different warranty terms—some cover only parts, others include parts and labour but only for a limited time, often just two years. Additionally, some manufacturers provide extended warranties if the end user registers the installation. Given these varying terms, it’s important to note that the zoning system operates independently of the air conditioning system. A fault in one system does not necessarily indicate a fault in the other, which is why it’s crucial to have a technician attend and investigate any issues or faults that arise.
Additionally, it’s important to clarify that servicing is not included as part of the warranty. After our installation warranty period has passed, all service attendances, including troubleshooting and repairs, are chargeable. This policy ensures that our customers receive the necessary expertise and professional service to maintain their systems, while also recognizing the complexities involved in dealing with multiple, independently functioning components like zoning systems and air conditioning units.
In Conclusion
Regular maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your air conditioning system. By following the recommended service intervals and understanding what your warranty covers, you can avoid unnecessary costs and keep your air conditioner in optimal condition. Remember, a well-maintained air conditioner is not just about comfort; it’s about peace of mind and savings. Keep your system running smoothly with regular check-ups and professional servicing. Investing in regular maintenance and understanding your warranty can save you from unexpected costs and ensure that your air conditioner operates efficiently for years to come!
1800 AIR CON 
