Florida’s HVAC Warranty Law Explained
What Changed on July 1, 2024—and What It Means for Homeowners
An AC University Homeowner Guide
If you’ve purchased a new air conditioner in Florida recently, you may have heard someone mention that Florida changed its HVAC warranty laws.
Maybe a contractor told you,
“You don’t have to register your equipment anymore.”
Or perhaps a friend said,
“The warranty automatically transfers if you sell your house.”
Both statements are generally true—but there’s more to the story.
Let’s break down what actually changed, what didn’t, and why this is good news for Florida homeowners.
What Changed on July 1, 2024?
Before July 1, 2024, many HVAC manufacturers offered two different parts warranty periods.
For example:
- Register your equipment within the required timeframe, and you might receive a 10-year parts warranty.
- Forget to register it, and your warranty could be reduced to 5 years.
If you sold your home, you often had to transfer the warranty to the new owner, and some manufacturers charged a fee to do it.
That system created a lot of confusion.
Homeowners forgot to register.
Registration deadlines were missed.
People buying homes didn’t know whether the warranty transferred.
Florida lawmakers decided there was a better way.
You No Longer Have to Register Your Equipment to Receive the Full Warranty
This is probably the biggest change.
For qualifying residential HVAC systems installed in Florida on or after July 1, 2024, manufacturers can no longer require product registration as a condition of receiving the full length of the warranty—as long as the system was installed by a properly licensed Florida HVAC contractor.
That means if you forget to fill out a warranty card…
Or never log into the manufacturer’s website…
You don’t automatically lose years of warranty coverage simply because you missed the registration deadline.
The Warranty Starts on the Installation Date
The new law also makes something else very clear.
The manufacturer’s warranty begins when the equipment is installed by a licensed Florida HVAC contractor—not when someone fills out a registration form weeks later.
That’s a significant change because it removes one more administrative hurdle for homeowners.
The Warranty Stays with the Home
Here’s another major benefit.
If you sell your home after July 1, 2024, and the HVAC manufacturer’s warranty is still in effect, that warranty automatically transfers to the new homeowner.
Even better…
The manufacturer can’t charge a transfer fee.
The new owner receives whatever warranty time remains, just as if they had been the original purchaser. The warranty doesn’t start over—it simply continues for the balance of the original term.
Does This Mean Every Warranty Is Exactly the Same?
No.
This is an important distinction.
The new law protects your rights regarding registration and transferability.
It does not make every manufacturer’s warranty identical.
Each manufacturer still decides:
- What parts are covered.
- How long the warranty lasts.
- What exclusions apply.
- Whether labor is included (most manufacturer warranties cover parts only).
- What maintenance or installation requirements apply.
The law didn’t rewrite every warranty.
It simply removed some of the hurdles homeowners faced.
Does This Apply to Older Systems?
Not necessarily.
The law applies to qualifying situations beginning July 1, 2024.
If your equipment was installed before that date, different manufacturer policies may still apply depending on when it was installed and the warranty terms that were in effect at the time.
If you’re unsure about your system, ask your contractor or contact the manufacturer with your model and serial numbers.
Does This Mean Labor Is Covered Too?
This is probably the biggest misunderstanding I hear.
No.
Manufacturer warranties typically cover parts.
They generally do not cover:
- Labor to diagnose the problem.
- Labor to remove the failed part.
- Labor to install the replacement part.
- Refrigerant recovery or replacement.
- Travel charges or service fees.
Some contractors offer separate labor warranties, and some homeowners purchase extended labor coverage, but that’s different from the manufacturer’s parts warranty.
My Advice to Homeowners
The new Florida law is a win for homeowners.
You no longer have to worry about losing years of warranty coverage because someone forgot to submit paperwork.
You don’t have to pay to transfer the manufacturer’s warranty when you sell your home.
And you can have more confidence that your warranty follows the equipment—not just the original owner.
That said…
Always keep your installation paperwork, model numbers, and invoice in a safe place.
Good records make warranty claims much easier, even with the new protections.
Final Thoughts
For years, homeowners had to remember registration deadlines, worry about transfer paperwork, and hope no one misplaced important documents.
As of July 1, 2024, Florida simplified that process.
If your HVAC system is installed by a licensed Florida contractor, the law provides important protections for warranty registration and transferability.
It’s one less thing homeowners need to worry about—and one more reason to work with a licensed professional who understands the current requirements.
Kevin’s Take
I think this is one of the best changes Florida has made for homeowners.
I’ve seen people lose years of warranty coverage simply because a registration card was never mailed or an online form wasn’t completed in time. That never seemed fair to me.
This law shifts the focus back where it belongs: installing the equipment correctly instead of worrying about paperwork.
Just remember, a manufacturer’s warranty is only one piece of the puzzle. The quality of the installation—and the company standing behind it—still plays a huge role in how reliable your system will be for years to come.