A home warranty with HVAC coverage pays for covered repairs, and sometimes a replacement, up to a cap such as $5,000 per system, after a service fee of about $100. By contrast, an HVAC service plan pays for tune-ups and usually only discounts repairs. So for a breakdown, a home warranty is the one that pays, within its limits and exclusions.
Information checked on November 4, 2026. Coverage depends on the exact contract, so read the sample agreement before you buy any plan.
Home warranty HVAC coverage vs a service plan at a glance
| Feature | Home warranty | HVAC service plan |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly cost | $300–$700 (Angi); about $56 a month on average with HVAC (This Old House) | $150–$500 (Angi) |
| Repairs | Covered parts and labor up to a cap, after a service fee | Discounts on parts and labor |
| Replacement | Sometimes, up to the cap | No |
| Tune-ups | Usually not included | One or two visits a year |
| Coverage cap | $1,500–$3,000 is common (Angi); $5,000 per system at American Home Shield | Not applicable |
| Fee per visit | $75–$175 per service call (Angi) | No charge for scheduled cleanings and inspections (Angi) |
| Other systems | Plumbing, electrical and often appliances | Heating and cooling only |
What a home warranty covers for HVAC
A home warranty is a service contract that pays to repair or replace covered home systems when they fail from normal wear. However, every plan caps what it pays. For example, American Home Shield’s ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans pay up to $5,000 per covered HVAC system, with a $50,000 limit per agreement term.
Meanwhile, other companies set lower or higher caps. This Old House lists a $3,000 limit per covered item at Choice, a $2,000 HVAC cap at Liberty Home Guard and no HVAC cap at First American. In addition, AHS plans have a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts.
Caps matter most when a repair is large. ConsumerAffairs gives this example: if a repair costs $5,350 under a $5,000 cap, you pay the remaining $350, plus the service fee.
Common home warranty HVAC exclusions
- Pre-existing problems: according to ConsumerAffairs, companies won’t cover systems with known problems that existed before coverage started. This Old House notes that AHS is an exception.
- Refrigerant: Choice doesn’t cover refrigerant, while AHS sells HVAC refrigerant as an add-on, This Old House reports.
- Code upgrades: code-required modifications are often your cost, ConsumerAffairs says.
- Parts of the system: exclusions often include inaccessible ductwork, dampers, filters, refrigerant lines, flues and gas lines.
- Some equipment: window and portable AC units are usually excluded, and geothermal or mini-split coverage may be limited.
- Poor maintenance: companies may ask for your maintenance history before they approve a claim, Angi says.
What an HVAC service plan covers
An HVAC service plan, also called a maintenance agreement, costs $150 to $500 a year, according to Angi. In return, you usually get one or two visits for cleaning and inspection, plus discounts on parts and labor if something breaks.
Even so, a service plan doesn’t pay for a breakdown itself. Instead, it covers the upkeep and gives you records that home warranty companies may ask for. For typical tune-up prices, see our furnace tune-up cost guide.
Which one actually pays for a breakdown?
For example, take a failed evaporator coil. This Old House puts the replacement at $627 to $2,700, and your manufacturer’s warranty usually covers only the part. As a result, you still owe the labor and refrigerant.
- With a home warranty: the company may pay the labor up to its cap, after your service fee. However, refrigerant may be excluded, depending on the plan.
- With a service plan: you get a discount on the repair, but you pay most of the bill.
- With an extended labor warranty: the labor is covered for that system only. See our guide to the extended HVAC warranty.
Over time, the costs add up too. At about $56 a month, a home warranty costs roughly $2,016 over three years before service fees. Therefore, compare that total with the repairs you realistically expect.
When each option makes sense
A home warranty with HVAC coverage fits people who want one plan for several systems and prefer a set yearly cost. On the other hand, a service plan fits newer systems still under factory parts warranty, since maintenance keeps them running well.
You can also combine both, although that means paying twice each year. If your system is near the end of its life, a repair plan may only delay the decision, so read our repair or replace guide first.
Questions to ask before you sign
- First of all, what is the cap per HVAC system and per term?
- Then, how much is the service fee for each visit?
- Does the plan cover refrigerant, code upgrades and haul-away?
- Are pre-existing problems or rust excluded?
- What maintenance records will you need to file a claim?
- Finally, how and when can you cancel, and what refund do you get?
Related guides: For the bigger picture, start with our guide on heat pump rebates. In addition, see our guide on heat pump rebates in New York.
Home warranty HVAC FAQ
Does a home warranty cover HVAC replacement?
Sometimes, up to the plan’s cap. For example, This Old House says AHS covers up to $5,000 for HVAC repairs and replacements. However, a standard replacement costs $3,500 to $8,000, according to ConsumerAffairs, so a low cap can leave a large gap.
Does a home warranty cover tune-ups?
Usually not. ConsumerAffairs says most plans don’t pay for routine maintenance. AHS, for instance, includes one free tune-up only on its top plan, ShieldPlatinum.
Can I have both a home warranty and a service plan?
Yes. In fact, a service plan can help you meet the maintenance requirements that home warranty companies may check before approving a claim.
Is a home warranty worth it for an old furnace or AC?
It can be, but first check the pre-existing condition rules. Most plans exclude problems that existed before coverage began, and a cap of $2,000 to $5,000 may not cover a full replacement. For replacement prices, see our furnace replacement cost and AC replacement cost guides.
Sources and review
Sources: Angi, HVAC maintenance plan vs home warranty; This Old House, best home warranty companies for HVAC in 2026 (updated October 12, 2026); ConsumerAffairs, do home warranties cover HVAC repair? (updated April 29, 2026); American Home Shield, ShieldSilver plan (2026); American Home Shield, ShieldGold plan (2026); This Old House, evaporator coil replacement cost (April 6, 2026). All checked on November 4, 2026.
Written by: HVAC Switch. Last updated: November 4, 2026. Read our editorial policy to learn how we research prices, or contact us if you spot an error.