Is Ductwork Covered by Home Warranty?

Your home is the most expensive and important investment you'll ever make, and with that comes responsibility in taking care of that investment. In addition to the daily tasks and weekly chores, there are annual maintenance duties that need to be done. Those annual duties will help you find warning signs that can turn into big, expensive problems, like the ductwork and septic system.

Any home equipped with an HVAC system will have ductwork, where air circulates to keep you comfortable year-round. However, about 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. This results in higher utility bills and difficulty maintaining comfort levels, regardless of thermostat settings. To ensure efficient operation, ductwork requires attention at least once a year.

The ductwork that works with your HVAC system is separate. So, when you have your HVAC system checked, the ductwork will not be checked at that time. That takes a different professional and a different appointment. Your HVAC company can often refer you to somebody they have worked with.

Is Ductwork Covered By Insurance?

No, your homeowner's insurance will not cover ductwork, cleaning, repairing, or replacing it. If you purchased one, some home warranties cover ductwork, your policy will have that information available. Or, if the HVAC system has recently installed in a home you've recently purchased, you may ductwork home warranty included.

Either way, you should check this option so that you know where you stand if there is an issue with it. And if your home warranty doesn't cover the duct work, it still needs your attention and be examined by either you or a professional. The efficiency of your HVAC system can be affected by the ductwork and it can put your home in jeopardy if problems are not caught and addressed.

When Do You Know That Your Ductwork Needs Attention?

With annual checks, your ductwork should run smoothly, but that doesn't mean something won't happen in between those annual checks. Some things you want to be aware of that could indicate problems are:

• Whistling noises
• Cracks or pops
• Poor air circulation
• Unusually high energy bills

With a home warranty policy, your ductwork should be covered, so the first call you should make is to the company you have your policy with and file a service request. If the company advises you that your policy does home warranty cover ductwork, they will send out a technician who will examine your ductwork.

Depending on what the technician reports back to the home warranty company, your ductwork will be repaired or replaced, and you will only be responsible for a service call, or sometimes referred to as a co-pay. There could be some exceptions to your ductwork being covered by your home warranty, like it not being installed properly or is the wrong size. These are things that a home warranty company should go over with you after the initial inspection when buying a policy. If it was noted as a problem, you would be given the timeframe to have it corrected before the policy goes into effect.

Minimize Service Calls With Proper Maintenance

By following the recommendation to have your ductwork checked annually, you can avoid most service calls. When the vents are clogged with dust and mold, then left unattended, it can cause health problems and even be a fire hazard.

You can clean your air ductwork yourself up to a certain point with your vacuum cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Simply open the supply register and remove the vents in each room, cleaning them with the cloth and vacuum.

It is still recommended to have them professionally checked once a year. The company will have the proper equipment and supplies to check every inch of the ductwork and look for any possible blockages, holes, and tears.

While your homeowner's insurance doesn't cover ductwork itself, if a fire were to happen in your home and it is determined to be caused by blocked or clogged ductwork, your claim could be denied. They see this as basic homeowner responsibility and it should be taken seriously.