Imagine it’s the middle of a heatwave or a cold snap, and your HVAC system gives out right when you need it most. It’s every homeowner’s nightmare, but with the right home warranty plan, you’ll have quick access to licensed technicians and reduced repair costs that won’t break your budget.
We evaluated 13 providers and selected the best home warranty companies for HVAC coverage. Our top pick is American Home Shield, which offers some of the highest coverage amounts available (also known as coverage caps), extended HVAC protection, and coverage for preexisting conditions.
Top Home Warranty Companies for HVAC Systems
After reviewing 13 home warranty providers, we chose these five companies as the best for your HVAC system:
- American Home Shield: Best Comprehensive Coverage
- First American Home Warranty: Best for High-End Items
- Elite Home Warranty: Best for Flexible Coverage
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Support
- Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan Coverage
Comparing Top Home Warranty Companies on Cost and HVAC Coverage
We requested quotes from 13 companies for a single-family home of less than 3,000 square feet. The following table compares our top five picks using key scoring factors, including monthly cost, coverage caps, and service call fees.
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A+ | $57–$68 | $65–$125 | ||
B | $36–$100 | $100–$125 | ||
B | $77–$130 | $100–$125 | ||
B | $45–$60 | $70 ($150 for after hours and weekends) | ||
B | $60–$68 | $100 |
Best HVAC Home Warranty Providers Reviewed
Below is a detailed overview of our top home warranty providers for HVAC coverage.
American Home Shield
American Home Shield (AHS) is an excellent option for homeowners with older HVAC systems. What sets it apart is that it covers systems with preexisting conditions—something you don’t usually find in home warranties. It offers up to $5,000 for most HVAC repairs, though geothermal systems are capped at $1,500. Only First American Home Warranty tops that with its unlimited HVAC coverage.
AHS’s highest plan, ShieldPlatinum plan also includes a free annual HVAC tune-up and unlimited AC refrigerant. AC refrigerant is the chemical compound used in your HVAC system to absorb heat and cool your home. This added benefit not only helps keep your system running smoothly but also saves you money on maintenance costs over time.
Now, American Home Shield does have a couple of downsides. It doesn’t cover portable or window units, and its 30-day workmanship guarantee is pretty standard but shorter than our other reviewed companies. These guarantees demonstrate a company’s commitment to its work and protect against defects for a set period. The longer the guarantee, the more comprehensive the repair and replacement coverage it provides. Still, AHS offers high-value coverage if you’re worried about keeping an older system running.
HVAC Coverage Overview
- Unlimited refrigerant is only included in the most expensive plan
- No coverage for window or portable air conditioning units
Keep in Mind
- Unlimited refrigerant is only included in the most expensive plan
- No coverage for window or portable air conditioning units
Customer Experiences
Below are sample reviews for American Home Shield left by customers who submitted HVAC-related claims:
“The agent was very kind, patient, friendly, and understanding when I tried to explain my situation with a previous order. Also, I was very impressed with AHS and Front Door Pro. I didn’t expect to get a whole new upgraded HVAC system installed in my house along with a discount since I had a home warranty plan. The technician was very professional.” — Huston C., August 2024, on Trustpilot
“The job was not done. It went on for almost two months but never fixed it. They kept sending the same technician that does not know what he was doing. I ended up paying someone from my own pocket to fix the HVAC problem. I’m actually in the process of [canceling] my three contracts with American Home Shield, [which] includes my rental properties. Horrible experience.” — Grace B., July 2024, on Trustpilot
First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty (FAHW) is the only provider we reviewed that offers unlimited caps for most of its HVAC coverage. Other companies set specific limits for their coverage. Like AHS, FAHW caps geothermal system coverage at $1,500. Under the Starter and Essential Plans, you’ll pay $20 per pound for refrigerant, which is $10 higher than American Home Shield. But if you go with FAHW’s top-tier Premium Plan, refrigerant costs are fully covered.
FAHW has some drawbacks regarding its HVAC coverage. The Starter Plan only covers heating, so you must add a central air add-on or upgrade to a pricier plan for AC protection. Unlike FAHW, other companies like AHS and Elite Home Warranty include both heating and cooling in their basic plans. Additionally, FAHW offers coverage for window units, registers, and grills, but only if you opt for the Premium Plan.
HVAC Coverage Overview
- Covers improper or mismatched system issues under its First American Advantage upgrade
- Offers an add-on for preseason HVAC tune-ups
- Provides unlimited coverage caps for most HVAC systems
Keep in Mind
- Air conditioning coverage isn’t included with the lowest plan, the Starter Plan
- Only covers window units and full refrigerant costs under the highest plan
Customer Experiences
We’ve highlighted the following FAHW reviews:
“It took two tries to get my HVAC working properly, but kudos to the new and improved website and follow-up by FAHW. Service was quick because it was still fairly cool weather (according to the HVAC service person). I was grateful for that because we were expecting 90-degree weather a week later.” — Cheryl O., June 2024, on Trustpilot
“I contacted this company I have been with for almost two years about an issue with my HVAC service. They assigned me to a contractor that came out and made matters worse. I tried to call the contractor back because my issue was not fixed, [but] they never came back. I contacted [FAHW] and informed them that my HVAC was still not fixed and that the company had not contacted me. It has been two weeks since I reported an issue with my HVAC system, and I still have not gotten a call back from anyone.” — Anita W., June 2024, on Trustpilot
Elite Home Warranty
Elite Home Warranty stands out for its flexible HVAC options, which include two standard plans and a fully customizable plan option. For separate AC and heating units, you receive $3,000 in coverage, and for full HVAC systems, it’s $5,000. That’s a little lower than AHS and FAHW, but you can boost your coverage with Elite’s Premium System add-on, which gives you up to $7,000. You can also pay for added services such as annual HVAC maintenance and geothermal coverage.
If your HVAC system is newer, Elite could be a great fit. However, for systems over 10 years old, it only covers up to 50% of your limit, which means just $2,500 for HVAC. By comparison, AHS offers up to $5,000 for older systems. Also, Elite sets a $15,000 cap for all claims in a year, with $8,000 specifically for systems. So, if you max out the $5,000 on HVAC, you’d only have $3,000 left for everything else, which could lead to higher out-of-pocket expenses.
HVAC Coverage Overview
- Includes a $3,000 limit for separate heating and cooling units or $5,000 for HVAC systems
- Offers premium add-ons that increase coverage up to $5,000 per unit or $7,000 for HVAC
- Provides add-ons for HVAC annual maintenance and geothermal systems
Keep in Mind
- Imposes an $8,000 annual claim limit for systems under its plans
- Reduces coverage limits for HVAC systems that are 10 years or older
Customer Experiences
Due to Elite’s limited online reviews on HVAC servicing, we provided the below reviews that reference its general customer service and support:
“Elite Home Warranty is the most comprehensive, customer-service-oriented company I have ever been involved with. I had a previous home warranty company that was a complicated nightmare to deal with. Elite is simple and super friendly to work with. I live in a rural community, which makes it difficult to find technicians to respond. Elite finds them and gets them to my home quickly. I’m super impressed. I highly recommend it. Don’t waste your money and time with any other home warranty company.” — Donald R., May 2024, on Better Business Bureau (BBB)
“When I call to make or follow up on a claim, nobody is usually available, or I’ve had to wait on hold for 20-25 minutes before being transferred to an answering service. I’m so disappointed by this company…”. — GEP, August 2024, on Trustpilot
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is great for homeowners who use separate cooling systems throughout their homes. Most other providers only cover one air conditioning unit, but LHG includes up to two cooling units. It also covers portable and window units, which is rare. While First American Home Warranty offers similar coverage, it’s only available with its highest plan. With Liberty Home Guard, you can get that protection with its system-only and comprehensive plans.
LHG offers a limit of $10 per pound for refrigerant, matching the coverage provided by American Home Shield. If your current equipment falls below the 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) standard, LHG makes sure that all repairs and replacements will use 13 SEER equipment or higher, a benefit also available with AHS. SEER measures the energy efficiency of cooling systems, and higher ratings generally mean lower energy costs and a more eco-friendly system.
It’s important to note that Liberty Home Guard’s HVAC coverage limits max out at $2,000, which is lower than those offered by other providers. In addition, LHG does not cover air conditioning leaks and a few essential components like evaporator coils, which are included by other providers such as Elite and AHS. So, if you’ve got extensive HVAC needs, you might want to choose a different provider.
HVAC Coverage Overview
- Covers up to two cooling units under its standard plan
- Includes protection for portable and window air conditioning units
- Provides 13 SEER equipment or higher for repairs or replacements if your current system doesn’t meet this efficiency standard
Keep in Mind
- Does not cover any type of air conditioning leaks
- Offers $2,000 for HVAC coverage, the lowest limit among the companies on this list
Customer Experiences
Here’s what some homeowners have to say about Liberty Home Guard:
“We were thankful for Liberty Home Guard and their help through the process to get our AC replaced. The HVAC contractor did a great job and made sure they got the new system installed and running well. They answered my questions and were very helpful.” — Brandy R., June 2024, on Trustpilot
“Simply dishonest. It took them 4 weeks for them to come back to me and tell that my HVAC was not covered. They will stall you to the edge of sanity so you will take whatever deal they offer. Even after showing them they are breaking their own contract, still receive only generic repetitive responses. On their sales pitch they’ll say they will replace with an equivalent unit, if it can’t be replaced, but they “forget” to mention that it will be the depreciated value only. Just beware.” — Ricky, June 2024, on Trustpilot
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is a good option for homeowners who need affordable HVAC coverage without sacrificing coverage limits. Its highest plan, the Total Plan, offers up to $3,000 in protection for heating, cooling, and ductwork, similar to what Elite Home Warranty offers for individual units. At $55 per month, Choice’s coverage is a bit cheaper than Elite’s $59 plan, making it a solid option for those looking to cover the basics without overspending.
However, Choice Home Warranty’s low cost comes with some trade-offs. The plan doesn’t cover certain items, such as refrigerant, window or portable units, grills, and registers. Plus, you won’t find extra perks like annual HVAC maintenance or higher coverage limits. In addition, the company has an ongoing lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office regarding alleged deceptive tactics with contracts and payouts. The lawsuit hasn’t impacted the company’s business conduct in other states.
HVAC Coverage Overview
- Charges less for its comprehensive plans than other providers, including AHS and Elite
- Includes a 90-day workmanship guarantee on parts and a 60-day guarantee on labor for its repairs
- Offers $3,000 caps for HVAC systems, higher than Liberty Home Guard
Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t include coverage options for refrigerant, maintenance, grills, or window units
- Excludes air conditioning coverage from its lowest plan
Customer Experiences
Below are positive and negative reviews for Choice Home Warranty:
“CHW arranged for an HVAC company to send technicians in a timely manner. The technicians were prompt and explained the needed repair: the replacement of an evaporator coil. CHW authorized only repair, not replacement of the part. According to the techs, this is a temporary fix. The techs returned to our home the next day and did the repair. Time will tell, but for now, the HVAC unit is cooling well.” — Penni H., August 2024, on Trustpilot
“Choice Home Warranty just puts bandaids on problems and doesn’t actually fix anything. They have the worst customer service. Buyer beware find another warranty company. I have been trying to get my HVAC system fixed for 2 years and constantly getting the runaround. Date of experience started 5/9/22 and is still going on 9/23/24 and still not fixed properly.” — Danielle D., September 2024, on Trustpilot
Our Experience Filing an HVAC-Related Claim
In addition to requesting a quote from each company, a member of our team purchased a plan from Choice Home Warranty for their home. She documented her experience to share with homeowners.
The team member filed a claim through Choice’s online portal when her air conditioner stopped working. She logged on to the online portal and completed her claim within five minutes.
Choice Home Warranty arranged for a technician to come to her home and diagnose the issue two weeks later. The technician determined that a disconnected reader was the cause of the problem and completed repairs the same day. The problem was resolved in just one visit, making for a mostly satisfying experience.
What HVAC Parts Are Covered by a Home Warranty?
Home warranties are great for protecting your HVAC system, but they don’t cover every breakdown. They’re designed to handle the normal wear and tear of using your system over the years. In addition, the extent of coverage can vary between providers. For example, many home warranty companies include ductwork in their plans but may not cover issues such as breaks, leaks, or collapsed sections.
The table below compares the coverage provided by the top home warranty providers for their most comprehensive plans for common HVAC parts and services.
| HVAC Coverage | American Home Shield | First American Home Warranty | Elite Home Warranty | Liberty Home Guard | Choice Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent AC Units (Central, wall, mini-split) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Window or Portable AC Units | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 |
| Furnaces | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heat pumps | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Thermostats | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerant recharging | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 𝗫 | 𝗫 |
| Registers and grills | ✔ | ✔ | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 |
| Multiple cooling or heating units | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 |
| HVAC annual maintenance | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 𝗫 | 𝗫 |
How Much Does HVAC Coverage Cost?
A home warranty with HVAC coverage usually costs between $528 and $700 per year, depending on the provider and the specific coverage. Opting for one of these plans can be very beneficial, as HVAC repairs or replacements can be pricey, often costing thousands of dollars. With a warranty, you’ll only need to pay a fixed service fee, which can protect you from unexpected expenses associated with emergency repairs and costly contractors. Keep in mind that you may also need to pay some out-of-pocket costs if repair prices exceed your coverage limit.
The below chart shows what you could expect to pay to repair or replace parts of your HVAC system without a home warranty plan:
| HVAC Issue | Average Cost* for Repair or Replacement |
|---|---|
| Drain line clogging | $75–$200 |
| Capacitor | $100–$250 |
| Refrigerant recharge | $100–$500 |
| Heat exchanger | $100–$1,500 |
| Blower or motor issues | $200–$700 |
| Refrigerant leaks | $250–$1,500 |
| Ductwork repair | $500–$2,000 |
| Coil replacement | $600–$2,400 |
| Compressor failure | $800–$3,000 |
| New furnace | $2,600–$6,200 |
| New AC | $3,800–$7,500 |
Reading the Fine Print of Your HVAC Coverage Plan
Most HVAC plans come with specific exclusions and limitations that can affect the coverage for your system. Below are common exclusions found in HVAC home warranties:
- Damage caused by natural disasters: Systems damaged by severe weather events, such as storms or tornadoes, won’t receive coverage under a home warranty plan. You would need homeowner’s insurance for this type of coverage.
- Personal heating, cooling, humidity, and air regulators: Most home warranty plans do not cover personal heating and cooling devices. Other exclusions include humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and electronic air cleaners.
- Poor maintenance: If you don’t keep your HVAC system in good shape, you might find that your warranty doesn’t cover repairs. Some companies may even ask for past maintenance records, and if they see neglect, they could deny your claim.
- Preexisting conditions: Preexisting conditions and damage include any issues that existed before your home warranty coverage began. In our 2024 survey of 1,000 home warranty users, 50% of homeowners whose claims were denied cited preexisting conditions as the reason. Only certain home warranty companies, including American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty, offer these protections, so it’s important to review your plan in detail.
How To Choose the Right Home Warranty
When reviewing HVAC coverage in a home warranty plan, check the coverage caps closely. These limits hover around $2,000 on average, but they can vary quite a bit between providers. Opt for a plan that meets or exceeds this limit to ensure your heating and cooling systems are adequately protected.
Keep an eye on SEER rating requirements, too. Some home warranty companies won’t cover systems with a SEER rating below 13, which can be an issue for older units that aren’t as energy-efficient. Make sure the plan you choose fits your specific HVAC system—most plans cover central AC and heating, but some might limit coverage for different types, like window units or ductless systems.
Lastly, check whether the warranty has ongoing maintenance requirements. Many companies expect you to maintain your system regularly to keep it running smoothly and lower the risk of breakdowns. Even if you don’t have a home warranty, it’s a good idea to stay on top of HVAC maintenance to avoid surprises down the line.
Advice From Real Homeowners
No homeowner wants to deal with HVAC issues, but having a plan for when your system breaks down can save time and money. We spoke with two homeowners, Sonia C. and Callie M., who encountered recent issues with their systems.
Sonia, who did not own a home warranty, opted to replace the 15-year-old system in her Raleigh, North Carolina, home after being quoted more than $8,000 for repairs. She made the decision less than a year after paying to replace a blower motor.
“I wish I’d had a home warranty because it would have covered the cost,” Sonia said. “It was a very sudden, unexpected expense that I wasn’t prepared for at all because I had just repaired it the year before. [Your air conditioner] is something you need, especially in North Carolina. If your house is 90 degrees, you can’t function.”
Callie, whose Wilmington, Delaware, home was built in 1953, said she would be reluctant to purchase a home warranty due to common coverage exclusions for older homes. But she does advise scheduling regular inspections and maintenance so you can avoid waiting a long time for repairs.
“Always have your HVAC inspected at the end of the season because that’s when it’s going to be the easiest to schedule maintenance,” Callie said. “We scheduled our heater maintenance in April, and the company we hired completed it in the last week of September.”
Methodology: How We Evaluated Providers on HVAC Coverage
To gain a complete view of the home warranty space, we consulted industry experts, researched providers and compared coverage, spoke with company representatives, and tested 11 home warranty companies firsthand. We also surveyed 2,000 home warranty plan holders and spoke with homeowners to understand their coverage needs and purchase habits.
Using this research, our team developed a detailed methodology to score each company on six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%).
When evaluating home warranty companies based on their HVAC coverages, we focused on the following factors:
- HVAC coverage caps: When choosing a home warranty, it’s important to select coverage with adequate limits to reduce or eliminate expected repair and replacement costs. We selected home warranty providers that offered a minimum of $2,300 in coverage for heating and cooling systems, which we found to be the median coverage offered by many providers. Companies that met or exceeded this limit received higher points. We did not consider home warranty providers that offered caps below $2,000.
- Item inclusions: The best HVAC coverage protects the most important parts of your system. We checked for key items, including AC units, ductwork, furnaces, heat pumps, and other key system components and services. We left out companies that offered limited protection or excluded essential items.
- Additional HVAC-related services or benefits: Companies received higher scores if they provided additional HVAC-related services or add-ons. Some examples include add-ons for annual HVAC maintenance or discounts on air filters. These added benefits help extend your HVAC coverage and cost savings.
- First-hand experience submitting claims: Our team gained firsthand experience by submitting home warranty claims for HVAC repairs and replacements. This experience helped us learn more about the claim process and evaluate the responsiveness of different providers.
- Expert opinions: To gain a better perspective on home warranty coverage for HVAC systems, we consulted two experts for insights for this article. We spoke with Angel Conlin, Chief Insurance and Compliance Officer at Kin Insurance. We also consulted Tim David, CEO of Airlucent.com and owner of David HVAC Services, based in Alabama.
