If you’ve bought a home recently, you may have purchased or received a home warranty. However, consumers frequently expect more from these plans than they deliver. Home warranties aren’t insurance policies. Like a service contract that covers repairs to your computer, a home warranty is a company’s agreement to pay for fixing — and, if necessary, replacing — specified home components. A home insurance policy, in comparison, covers losses if your home and its contents are damaged or lost to theft, fire or other causes. A basic home warranty costs about $350 to $500 a year or more. A warranty typically covers kitchen appliances, plumbing, water heater, furnace, sump pump, whirlpool tub, and ceiling and exhaust fans, Angie’s List says. “Enhanced” plans, purchased for another $100 to $300, provide added coverage for such things as a washer and dryer, air conditioning, refrigerator and garage door opener. Optional items can be added, including pools and septic systems.

If someone gives you a home warranty, accept it — at least while it’s free. But understand that, even with someone else paying the premiums, you’ll likely pay a service fee — typically $50 or $75 — each time you need a repair, according to Angie’s List. Before buying a home warranty, learn what coverage you may already have. For example, if you’re buying a newly built home: Also, when you buy new furnishings and appliances, use a credit card that extends the product’s warranty. how to charge home air conditioner unitThat can add as much as an extra year of protection.ac unit single room Sellers may offer a year’s coverage as an incentive to home shoppers. wall window ac unitsOwners of new homes frequently pay the premiums after their free year expires.

Real estate agents sometimes give home warranties to clients as a thank you gift for purchasing a home. Some buyers of older homes find that a warranty gives them confidence. Other homeowners decide they’re better off setting aside savings to cover home repairs and replacements. One way to think about your needs: Compare the age of each covered item with its average life span. To do so, use this chart from the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors. With expensive components near or past their life expectancy, a home warranty might be a good idea. Components that have pre-existing problems, however, typically are excluded from protection. Buyers who purchase a previously owned home inherit used appliances and home systems with wear and tear. A home warranty can help cover the cost if things break down.  that a few days after closing on a home she purchased, the boiler caught fire. It cost her $12,000 to replace. A home warranty would have covered a portion of the cost, she said.

She’d had the option to purchase a warranty when she bought the house, but declined it. However, home warranties top the list of complaints received by Angie’s List. One reason, the site says, is the difference between customers’ expectations and what the plans actually deliver. Homeowners also complain about the quality of service from warranty companies. Before buying a home warranty, read the contract and understand exactly what it does and does not cover. For example, some contracts will not provide coverage if: If you haven’t read it carefully, be prepared for surprises. Find out what’s covered, and what the warranty provides. There may be exclusions and limitations. Perhaps the refrigerator is covered, but the ice maker is excluded. Claims may be rejected because of pre-existing problems or insufficient maintenance. Learn who will perform the repair work. Also, find out if you can cancel the policy. Most contracts allow a 30-day “free look” that allows a buyer to cancel within 30 days and get a full refund, says the Service Contract Industry Council.

Research a company using these sources: What’s your experience with home warranties? Share with us in comments below or on our Facebook page.The Importance of RV AC MaintenanceThe rooftop air conditioners used on motorhomes are made to give many years of dependable cooling efficiency. But in order for the AC to operate dependably each season, it is necessary to keep the rooftop AC unit on your motorhome clean and properly maintained. Occasionally the motorhome rooftop AC needs repairing and this article will assist you in knowing which parts of your RV AC to replace or service.These repair and maintenance tips are very simple to follow, even for those with less than good hands-on experience. If you are unfamiliar with how a motorhome air conditioning system works, this article will help you understand which parts of the motorhome rooftop air conditioner unit to check, service, and repair. Condenser and Evaporator Coil MaintenanceRoof air conditioning units are the same as ones used on other types of RV campers such as travel trailers and pop-up campers.

Your motorhome AC system may have one or two units to help keep the camper cold, or warm if the RV AC units have optional heat elements. These repair and maintenance procedures are identical for all types of the aforementioned campers.After a few seasons of use, it isn’t unusual for the AC unit(s) to not cool the motorhome as quickly or as efficiently as it once did. Even though you have kept the filters clean on a regular basis, the evaporator and condenser coils will eventually become coated with dirt and grime which inhibits airflow and cooling efficiency.Before attempting any maintenance or repairs on the rooftop AC unit be sure to switch off the electrical supply to the unit, either by tripping the breaker or by unplugging the motorhome from the electrical receptacle. You are now ready to remove the RV AC shroud by unscrewing the four bolts securing it to the RV AC unit itself. Cleaning Your RV AC Coils How To Clean The RV AC CoilsAfter removing the AC shroud you will be able to see the evaporator and condenser coils on either end of the RV AC unit.

If they appear similar to those in the photos at the right then they need a thorough cleaning. to allow unrestricted airflow through them. A good wet/dry Shop Vac will help to keep you from making a big mess during the cleaning regimen.Although regular household cleaners may clean the coils to a certain extent, AC coil cleaners made especially for the purpose will remove the grime build-up much more efficiently and will not harm the coils themselves. Several types of these fine products may be found on this page.Follow the instructions carefully for the best results and use the Shop-Vac to remove any excess cleaner or grime from the RV AC unit. Use a coil fin comb to straighten any bent fins because they too will keep the airflow from moving through the AC coils efficiently. These fin combs are very inexpensive and may be used many times in the future on both RV and home AC coil fins. RV AC fan motor Replacement RV Rooftop AC RV AC Fan Motor maintenanceWhile the RV AC shroud is removed, it is a good time to service the fan motor and clean the fans themselves.

Whether your RV AC unit is made by Coleman, Carrier, Duotherm, or Dometic, it will have one fan motor which turns both the squirrel cage fan and the heat exhausting fan. This motor should be oiled at this time.If your RV AC fan motor has regular bearings in it there will be oiling ports at each end of the motor. It may be necessary to remove the top metal sheeting from over the fan motor to access the bearing oiling ports. A few sheet metal screws will have to be removed to allow you access to the bearing ports add oil to the bearings. If no oil ports are evident, then your rooftop AC unit has sleeves instead of bearings. You may still oil the shaft at the point where the sleeves are contained in the fan motor housing. The oil will seep inside and help the fan motor last much longer. A fan motor with sleeves cannot be rebuilt economically, as can the bearing models, and must be replaced with a new one. Check the ads below to find the right fan motor for your RV AC. Removing and Replacing the Fan Motor

Replacement RV AC Fan Motorsmore models available by clicking on this link How To Replace A Motorhome AC Fan MotorIf your AC fan motor is slow to start even after oiling, or needs a nudge to get it going, it will need rebuilding or replacement with a new one. As stated previously, a bearing model fan motor may be rebuilt fairly cheaply and will last for many more years. But not so a sleeved bearing AC fan motor. If your unit seems to be in pretty good shape a new AC fan motor may be ordered to fit your particular RV AC unit. Check out the links on this page to find the type of fan motor you need to replace your model Click on the ads to look further on the Amazon site if you do not see your model of fan motor. There are many sizes and models to choose from.Replacement of the AC fan motor is a simple job with only a few tools required for the project. Mark the wire colors before removing the fan motor if the connection isn’t a simple plug-in type electrical connection.

Test the new RV AC fan motor before replacing the AC shroud to check for proper alignment and fan clearance. RV AC Capacitor ReplacementIf the fan or compressor fails to start and the AC unit merely hums or trips a breaker, it is possible the starting capacitor is malfunctioning.  The capacitor stores electricity to give both the fan motor and the compressor an extra boost when the RV AC unit first starts.  It is not unusual for this item to go bad.The capacitor is easily replaced in the event it has gone bad.  Note the wiring before removing the old AC capacitor and install the new capacitor in the same manner.  Your AC unit should now start and run fine.  Check the required voltage and model numbers on the new AC capacitor when ordering a new one. The RV AC Compressor A/C Coil Fin CombStraighten out those bent coil fins and increase the efficiency of your A/C unit. RV AC Compressor ProblemsIf, after determining the switches, capacitor, and relays are not at fault, the RV AC compressor fails to operate correctly it is usually better to just junk the unit and buy a new one.

Unless you have access to a used compressor and have the means to replace it and recharge the system yourself, it will be too expensive to repair in most cases. Under normal circumstances the compressor will last much longer than the warranty covers. The thermostat and switches may be purchased online by finding the correct model and serial numbers before ordering the new parts. These items w\are very easily replaced in most cases. Pay attention to the wiring connections as always when replacing these electrical components. RV AC Protective Covers for Motorhomes Protect Your Motorhome AC Unit In The Off SeasonYour motorhome AC unit should give you many seasons of dependable operation if serviced annually. The use of a cover for the RV AC unit is highly recommended during the times when the motorhome is not in use. These inexpensive RV AC covers protect the unit from being exposed to moisture, extreme cold or hot temperatures, and debris from storms, birds and insects.