Should I Get an Extended Warranty

[ramlam]

I recently had a Trane XV80 (variable speed, 2 stage), 100,000 BTU furnace installed and was wondering if it’s worth purchasing an extended warranty. The furnace came with a 1 year parts and labor, 5 years parts, and 20 years on the heat exchanger. I was told that the it should last many years but if something should happen to go wrong they are very expensive to repair, especially if you have to replace the control board or the motor. The installer offers a 5 years parts and labor (i.e. 4 years tacked on to the standard 1 year) or a 10 year parts and labor (i.e. 9 years added on the standard 1 year). Both are from Trane and the 10 year costs a little more than double the 5 year one.

What are peoples thoughts on the value of the extended warrantys?

[BaldLoonie]

Do it! Today's stuff doesn't hold up that well. Labor costs are climbing.

[ramlam]

Any thoughts on 5 verses 10 year?

[BobbyBJr]

I try to sell a 10 year parts and labor warranty on every Trane system I sell and I can remember only one customer who didn't come out ahead. Her system is going on 14 years old without the first problem, but that is highly unusual with today's stuff.

Bobby

[Airmechanical]

The installer offers a 5 years parts and labor (i.e. 4 years tacked on to the standard 1 year)

your parts are covered for 5 years, heat exchanger 20 years no matter what,

this particular 5 year warranty thats being offered is not a factory warranty

therefore if the company that intalled your unit goes out of buisness

you will be paying for labor repairs,as opposed to tranes 10 year extended

parts and labor warranty you would be FACTORY covered and you would pay

for 0 repairs for 10 years.(warranty is on equipment only no t-stats etc.)

the point is get the (FACTORY) warranty.



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[iwannahelp]

I agree with air mechanical guy.

[BaldLoonie]

5 or 10 depends on how long you figger on being in the home.

But yes, as the boys say, make sure it isn't a contractor provided extended warranty. Trane's extended warranty is great as is Equiguard.

[mayguy]

Get it, and it will also be a peace of mine for the next 10 years.

I got it on mine as well my parents.

[Tsubaki]

Extended warranty is just insurance, so you should look at it as such. Now consider the value of the item you are insuring against the cost of the policy and you can make a value judgement. Me I always simply take the money that the extended warranty would have cost and put it into a money market fund for all those expensive purchases such as the big screen television / Fridge / Dishwasher / Washer / Dryer / Microwave / Oven / Stereo / Automobiles and of course HVAC products. At last count I had several THOUSAND dollars in that fund and it is drawing 5% annually Maybe I have just been lucky that not many things have broke (yes some have) but the averages seem to be in my favor. Besides by the time something has a serious problem you may be better off to buy a new one anyway, you can get the nice newer features etc. Plus you have the money to fix the old one or buy new, your choice not some idiots sitting in a cubicle 500 miles away.

[Airmechanical]

Extended warranty is just insurance, Besides by the time something has a serious problem you may be better off to buy a new one anyway, your choice not some idiots sitting in a cubicle 500 miles away.

wow, i am wondering what idiot you are talking about!:eek:



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[ramlam]

Thanks everyone for the great input. I think having the peace-of-mind is worth it and plan on getting it.