Best Home Warranty Companies for HVAC Coverage of 2023

Home appliance and system breakdowns are inevitable, but paying for unexpected repairs doesn't have to be. A home warranty offers peace of mind that repairs will be covered if your thermostat gets stuck or the temperature drops to a teeth-chattering low in winter. The best home warranty companies cover HVAC units comprehensively, including your vents, registers, ductwork and even an annual tune-up in some cases.

We at the Guides Home Team have researched dozens of home warranty providers and narrowed our list to the best ones for HVAC system coverage. This guide highlights each company's plans, prices and customer reviews to help you decide which is right for your home.

These are the best HVAC home warranty options:

American Home Shield (AHS) tops our list as the best overall company for HVAC coverage. AHS has been in the home warranty business for more than 50 years and has handed out millions in claims for covered items. The company also has an extensive network of more than 15,000 qualified contractors throughout the United States to expedite repairs. It offers customizable plans designed to fit any budget.

American Home Shield stands out because it doesn't have a coverage cap for built-in systems, such as HVAC. This means the costs to repair or replace your heating and air conditioning systems will likely be less than other providers.

American Home Shield offers three tiered plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum. All three plans cover HVAC systems with no preset coverage cap. ShieldSilver covers 14 essential built-in systems. ShieldGold includes everything in ShieldSilver plus some major appliances, such as refrigerators and ovens. ShieldPlatinum covers everything in ShieldGold, as well as roof leaks. ShieldPlatinum also comes with one free HVAC tune-up per year, helping you prevent repairs. The tune-up is available through the other two plans but costs $75.

AHS covers issues that can't be determined through a simple mechanical inspection, such as turning an appliance on and off or a visual check to see whether any parts are missing. An item's age does not limit AHS’ coverage, and service records aren't required to be covered.

Customers can choose from three service call fees: $75, $100 or $125. A higher service call fee reduces your monthly payment, and a lower service fee increases your bill.

We requested a quote from American Home Shield for a single-family home in Santa Fe, N.M. The company estimated that coverage would range from $59.99 to $104.99, depending on your selected plan. Keep in mind that plan costs vary by your location and home size.

Get your quote: Fill out American Home Shield's quick online form or call 844-529-9298.

To learn more: American Home Shield review

Liberty Home Guard has a reputation for providing customizable plans and quality customer service. Liberty offers more than 35 add-on options — more than any other provider on our list.

Liberty offers an appliances-only plan, a systems-only plan and a comprehensive plan that includes appliances and systems. Systems Guard and Total Home Guard both cover HVAC systems and ductwork up to $2,000 per item. Additional coverage options include gutter cleaning, pest control, and floor and carpet cleaning.

Liberty Home Guard quoted us plans ranging from $69.99 to $79.99 per month, with a service call fee of $65 to $125. Liberty selects the service fee customers pay based on location, plan selection and similar factors.

While LHG's monthly fees are slightly higher than some other options on this list, customers can receive discounts for signing up for multi-year contracts and paying in one installment. For example, an annual payment on a one-year contract includes two months of free coverage. An up-front payment on a five-year contract includes six months of free coverage.

Get your quote: Request your free quote through Liberty Home Guard's online form or by calling 866-452-9107.

To learn more: Liberty Home Guard review

America's First Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) offers more plan options than any other home warranty provider on our list. The company is a great option for HVAC coverage because it has a workmanship guarantee that lasts the length of your contract, as opposed to the typical 30, 60 or 90 days. One-year and three-year contracts are available.

AFC Home Club offers four plan options: the Silver Plan, the Systems Plan, the Gold Plan and the Platinum Plan. The Silver Plan doesn't cover HVAC systems, but the Systems Plan does. The Gold and Platinum plans cover a combination of appliances and systems, including HVAC. Ductwork is included in all four plans.

Coverage with AFC Home Club ranges from $33.58 to $57.50, depending on your selected plan and service call fee. Three service call fees are available: $75, $100 and $125.

Get your quote: Fill out AFC Home Club's quick form or call 877-755-1115 to request a personalized quote.

To learn more: AFC Home Club review

Select Home Warranty is a good choice for HVAC repair coverage because of its same-day turnaround process on claims and multi-year coverage discounts. The coverage cap for HVAC units is $2,000, lower than some other providers on this list.

Select Home Warranty offers three coverage options, but Gold Care and Platinum Care are the two plans that cover heating systems and AC units.

Select Home Warranty quoted us monthly prices between $41.67 and $46.08. Customers who pay an annual contract in one payment receive two months of free coverage. The number of months of free coverage increases the longer you make your contract. For example, a five-year contract paid in full will include an additional six months of free coverage.

Get your quote: Fill out Select Home Warranty's easy online form or call 888-370-3956 to receive a free quote.

To learn more: Select Home Warranty review

Cinch Home Services stands out for its extensive coverage — 28 systems and appliances — and unique perks. The top-tier plan offers an up-to-$500 reimbursement ($1,000 with Complete Home VIP) if you have to file a homeowners insurance claim during your contract. Additionally, the company covers damage due to rust and corrosion and preexisting conditions that aren't easily detectable through a visual or simple mechanical inspection.

Cinch has a 180-day guarantee on repairs and replacements, longer than most competitors’ range of 30 to 90 days. The only longer guarantee on this list is AFC Home Club's, which provides a plan-length workmanship guarantee.

Cinch Home Services offers three plans: Appliances, Built-in Systems and Complete Home. The Built-in Systems Plan covers major systems, such as air conditioners and heating systems. Complete Home is the most comprehensive option, providing coverage on 28 appliances and systems, including HVAC units.

All of Cinch's plans include a $25 credit for an air conditioning unit filter or water filter.

Cinch Home Services’ plans range from $34.99 to $67.99 per month, according to our quote. New customers receive one month of free coverage when they opt for monthly billing.

Your monthly fees will be higher or lower depending on your selected service call fee. Cinch offers service call fees of $100, $125 and $150.

Get your quote: Use Cinch Home Services’ online form for an instant quote or call 855-435-0489.

To learn more: Cinch Home Services review

The MarketWatch Guides Team developed a calculator that analyzes the anticipated yearly expenses associated with owning a home warranty for HVAC coverage. To determine your projected annual cost, simply input your monthly premium, service call fee and estimated number of claims. We recommend getting quotes from our top providers directly, as prices vary by plan, location and home size.

Source: Home Depot

Selecting the right home warranty plan for HVAC protection depends on your individual needs. We evaluated providers’ coverage, price and customer satisfaction and recommend each of the companies on this list.

American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services are great options for homeowners who want coverage for unknown preexisting conditions. AFC Home Club is an excellent choice if you want the added reassurance of a plan-length workmanship guarantee.

We encourage homeowners to thoroughly research home warranty companies and request quotes from at least three before making a decision.

A home warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance. Home warranties cover repair and replacement costs for household appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. Having a home warranty in addition to your homeowners insurance policy can provide more comprehensive protection for your home. Insurance covers major structural damage caused by unforeseen events, such as natural disasters, vandalism or theft. It does not cover repair or replacement costs for a failing dishwasher or overflowing washing machine.

Although a home warranty is not required, it can provide homeowners with added financial security and peace of mind.

No, a manufacturer's warranty is not the same as home warranty coverage. However, you don't need both types of coverage on the same items simultaneously. If you have a new home and new appliances, you may have manufacturer's warranties on many of your appliances. After a manufacturer's warranty expires, it can be a good idea to add those items to your home warranty's comprehensive coverage.

Most home warranty companies have a 30-day waiting period before plans are effective. Some companies may offer warranties that go into effect immediately, while others could have longer waiting periods. Read the fine print of the sample warranty contract when you request a quote to determine how quickly you’ll be able to file a claim.

Coverage of older appliances and built-in home systems depends on the home warranty provider. American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services are good options for homeowners who have older or under-maintained appliances or systems, since both companies extend coverage to appliances and systems regardless of age.

Our team created a comprehensive rating system to rank providers based on objective factors. We researched each company by speaking with company representatives, reading sample contracts, and analyzing and comparing consumer reviews. We deepened our research by gaining homeowner insights through surveys and focus groups.

After collecting data, we scored each provider in the following categories: plan options, cost, trustworthiness, customer service, state availability, additional benefits and coverage specifics.

Ally Sabatina is an experienced content producer whose work has appeared on sites like The Financial Diet and Inverse. She holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Temple University and strives to distill complex and nuanced topics into accessible and approachable language for all readers.

Rebekah Young is an editor with a decade of experience in educational content and editing. Before joining the Guides Home Team to focus on home services content, she guided content strategy and edited in the insurance, venture capital, financial and health care fields. Rebekah has a bachelor's degree in communication and English.