Experts, please explain HVAC warranties

[silkzipp]

I intend to replace both my furnace and A/C and while I'm totally confused as to which brand/model and dealer to chose, I am equally confused by the warranties given by them. Pretty much all indicate that yearly maintenance must be done, although in the some of the instruction manuals located online, such as Carrier they indicate two types "routine maintenance" that the homeowner should do, and "regular dealer maintenance". Obviously it would be best to do both, but what I am really asking is what type of maintenance is actually REQUIRED in order to ensure that the warranty is honored. Also, I am confused about the terms of the warranty. Using Carrier as an example (although I heard the same type of thing from the others) that there is a 10 year parts and 1 year labor warranty on their products, however their website indicates that labour is not included. Also, they all suggest buying their maintenance plans in order to bump up the warrant to 10 years parts and 10 years labor, provided maintenance is preformed yearly, but who is this 10 year labor really from? Do dealers have some type of agreement with Carrier, or the like, or is this something that is offered by them but made to look like its a Carrier extended warranty and if this is the case should the company cease to exist I would be left with what? Sorry, so confused! I want to cover all my bases and ask all the right questions but with so mnay varied answers its so hard to know who is being totally honest and who is just making a good sales pitch.

[Pete_Coach]

Bottom line is that manufacturers warrant their product (for whatever years they claim). The details of the warranty will all be written on the product documentation. Some have a 10 year warranty on some parts and the labour is flexible. i have seen one year labour and I have seen 10 years labour (on limited parts). Each manufacturer is slightly different on what they offer. You need to ask those questions of the sales person.
An independent service company or installer that does service can/will warrant the equipment on a yearly service plan. For you to get anything for "free" if it breaks or fails, you need to have a service plan.
Now, do you need one? Interesting question. In the past, I never needed any repairs on my furnace of my A/C. The new ones we have are so complicated and "electronified" that I cannot even begin to diagnose them. I need a specialist. I have had to call the service folks because the furnace would not go on and it turned out to be a problem with the thermostat ad not even the furnace. So, for me, a service contract was the best option when the original warranty expired. Annual inspection and cleaning and service anytime.