A great boiler is an investment. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, a new boiler is going to make your building more comfortable, help you save on energy costs, and provide you with heat for years – if not decades.
It’s important to protect your investments.
That’s why almost all boilers come with warranties. The manufacturer wants you to know that you can trust their product. Warranties can cover repair and replacement if your boiler encounters problems in a given period of time.
Of course, warranties all come with exceptions, terms and conditions, and other fine print. We’re going to help you understand all of that and a whole lot more. By the end of this article, you’ll be something of a boiler warranty expert!
What Does a Boiler Warranty Cover?
Boiler warranties will cover repair or replacement if your boiler encounters problems that the warranty covers (more on that in the next section). No two manufacturers have the exact same warranties, and even different models of boilers from the same manufacturer will have differing warranties.
You should check your boiler warranty carefully to see what’s excluded: Certain parts may be excluded. Damage from certain sources may be excluded. This has led to a certain (justified) level of suspicion about boiler warranties – we’ll talk more about that in a later section.
What Are the Terms & Conditions for Boiler Warranties?
Much like boiler warranty coverage, the terms and conditions for boiler warranties will vary depending on the make and model of boiler you purchase. There are, however, a number of terms and conditions that you’ll commonly see on almost every warranty:
- The boiler will need to be installed by a certified technician.
- You’ll need to get the boiler serviced at least once per year.
- The boiler must be registered with the manufacturer within the first 30 days of installation.
- Only parts approved by the manufacturer can be used during repairs.
- The boiler may not be moved without the manufacturer’s permission.
All of these rules make common sense. Manufacturers can’t trust shady, unlicenced technicians with boiler installation. They may install it improperly, causing damage. That’s not the manufacturer’s fault, so the warranty wouldn’t cover it.
In the same vein, the manufacturer can’t be held responsible for faulty parts created by companies the manufacturer didn’t vet.
Finally, regular servicing is an essential part of boiler maintenance. If your boiler fails because you neglected to get it serviced and parts inside became contaminated with sludge, it’s not the manufacturer’s responsibility.
The technicians at Howell are all certified, and we use manufacturer-approved parts for repairs, so we’ve got you covered. We can even register your boiler on your behalf – but even if we do, you should check to ensure the registration has gone through within the first 30 days. There’s no harm in double-checking, and it can save your warranty if there’s a mishap.
How Long Will My Boiler Warranty Last?
The length of your warranty varies depending on the make and model of your boiler. You can find warranties that last as few as two years or as long as 14. Manufacturers will sometimes also offer extended warranties for an additional fee.
As a rule of thumb, the longer the warranty is, the better your boiler is. There’s pretty straightforward logic underlying this: A manufacturer’s best boiler will use its best, most durable parts and should have a more extended lifespan. As such, longer warranties often accompany more expensive boilers – higher quality means a higher price.
Another factor that can affect the length of your warranty is the skill of the company that installs it. Boiler manufacturers may grant better warranties to installers they trust. We’ve been in the business for over 30 years, so we’ve had the good fortune of creating strong relationships with many top boiler manufacturers. That means that when you purchase a boiler with Howell, you’ll benefit from our years of experience and excellent warranties.
What’s the Difference Between a Boiler Warranty & Boiler Insurance?
We’ve explained what a boiler warranty is above, so we won’t rehash that. But what’s boiler insurance?
It’s a type of coverage that’s often purchased by commercial and industrial businesses. Like boiler warranties, it covers you for the cost to repair or replace your boiler when it breaks down. The major difference is that boiler insurance also covers for loss of revenue. When your business needs to close down for boiler repairs, you may be unable to continue your regular business activities. Boiler insurance can cover you for lost revenue until your boiler is fixed.
What’s the Difference Between a Boiler Warranty & a Boiler Guarantee?
Earlier, we mentioned that many consumers are suspicious of boiler warranties. There are good reasons for this – warranties can be long and complicated to read, and not everyone knows what questions to ask. That won’t be a problem for you, dear reader, now that you’ve read this article. But that leaves us with one last question – what are boiler guarantees?
They’re something of a marketing flourish. Boiler guarantees are simplified warranties. They cover for any and all parts of your boiler system, provided you follow the terms and conditions. They tend to be the same as those you’d find in a traditional warranty – for example, you’ll need to service your boiler yearly and have it installed by a certified technician.
Conclusion
Your boiler’s warranty keeps your investment safe. Compare the warranties of the different boilers you’re interested in, and be sure to ask questions about what parts are covered, and what the terms and conditions of the warranty are. When installing a new boiler or getting boiler repair, choose licenced, experienced technicians who use manufacturer-approved parts. Make sure your warranty is registered within the first 30 days of installing your boiler. If you’re a business owner, consider purchasing boiler insurance.