Why Post-Start-up Callbacks Are a Symptom of a Bigger Problem

The dirty little secret is that, often, new equipment installs trigger more work orders than sites with existing systems. Even though new units are under warranty, it can be overlooked that the unit is new and should be covered. As a result, issues end up increasing the maintenance costs of that facility.

The Original Purpose of Warranties: A Safety Net for Rare Failures

Warranties were designed as a safety net for those rare, early failures in systems that were supposed to last 10-20 years. They were meant to be activated only in the rare event that something went wrong early on. In other words, warranties were supposed to give us peace of mind, not become the methodology for getting system start-up right, at the expense of the owner—who doesn’t necessarily have a system in place to determine that a site visit should be covered under warranty.

The Real Issue: Poor System Startup

Over 70% of HVAC systems aren’t being commissioned correctly. Low charge, low airflow, and other common problems exist in newly installed systems. When new equipment start-up isn’t validated, the unit is likely to have performance issues early on. What should be a high-performance new system turns into a series of headaches, as components experience early failure, leading to repeated callbacks.

Warranty Callbacks: A Symptom, Not the Problem

Warranty management isn’t the problem; it’s a symptom of a much bigger issue: poor system startup. We’ve been treating the symptom—tracking warranties, filing claims, managing repairs—when what we should be doing is fixing the root cause. If systems were started up properly, as manufacturers like Carrier, Goodman, American Standard, and Trane intended, HVAC warranty claims would go back to being the rare events they were supposed to be.

Fix the startup process, and you’ll see the “HVAC warranty problem” start to fade, freeing you up to focus more on HVAC maintenance and long-term system reliability.

Getting Back to the Starting Line

It’s about ensuring that every HVAC system has the correct starting point. Proper startup is the foundation for the entire lifecycle of the system. When done right, it sets the stage for years of reliable operation, reducing the need for warranty claims to the occasional, deliberate transaction they were meant to be.

This isn’t just about saving money on HVAC repair and service—it’s about shifting our focus back to where it belongs: on the quality and reliability of the systems we install. By prioritizing proper startup, we can change the way we approach HVAC management, turning warranty from a major headache back into the minor issue it was intended to be. DigiMEP’s innovative approach could be the key to turning your startup challenges into long-term successes. Digitally verifying each new install is done right the first time.

So, the next time you’re dealing with an HVAC warranty claim, take a moment to think: Is this really a warranty problem, or is it a sign of something bigger? Chances are, it’s the latter.