A central air conditioner protection plan — sometimes called a service agreement or extended warranty — is a coverage plan that pays for the cost of repairing or replacing covered components if your system breaks down. Think of it as insurance for your HVAC equipment.

Unlike a maintenance plan, which is about keeping your system in good shape through scheduled tune-ups, a protection plan is your financial safety net when something goes wrong unexpectedly. Together, the two plans give you complete coverage: proactive care that prevents problems, and reactive coverage when problems still occur.

Our protection plan is designed to cover the components most likely to fail over the life of your central air conditioner — the parts that, when they go, generate the largest repair bills.

Covered Components

• Compressor — the heart of your AC system and one of the most expensive parts to replace, often costing $1,000 or more without coverage.
• Condenser fan motor and blades.
• Evaporator coil — costly to replace and critical to your system's cooling ability.
• Capacitors and contactors — the most common failure points in Ontario's heat.
• Refrigerant recharge (up to a specified amount) in the event of a confirmed leak.
• Electrical components including relays, transformers, and control boards.
• Blower motor and associated components.
• Thermostat issues related to your cooling system.

Labour Costs

All covered repairs include parts and labour. You will not receive a bill for the technician's time — that is included in your plan. This alone can represent significant savings, as HVAC labour rates in Ontario typically run $100 to $200 per hour.

24/7 Emergency Service

Protection plan members have access to our 24/7 emergency service line. If your air conditioner fails on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of August, you are not waiting until Monday morning to get someone on-site. Our technicians are available around the clock for plan holders.

Ontario's climate puts real stress on air conditioning systems. Summers bring extended stretches of heat and humidity that push AC units to run for long hours, day after day. This kind of sustained demand accelerates wear on components — particularly the compressor, capacitors, and fan motors — making breakdowns far more likely than in cooler climates.

At the same time, HVAC repair costs in Ontario have risen significantly in recent years. Parts prices, labour rates, and service call fees have all increased. A single mid-summer service call for a compressor replacement can easily cost $1,200 to $2,000 without a plan in place.

A protection plan turns that unpredictable, potentially large expense into a predictable, manageable monthly or annual cost — giving you certainty and peace of mind through every summer season.

To understand the value of a protection plan, consider the most common central AC repairs Ontario homeowners face and their typical costs:

• Capacitor replacement: $150 to $350. Capacitors fail frequently, especially during heat waves when the system is working hardest.
• Contactor replacement: $150 to $300. These wear out with normal use and are a common cause of system failure.
• Refrigerant recharge: $200 to $600 depending on the amount needed and refrigerant type.
• Evaporator coil replacement: $700 to $1,500 parts and labour.
• Condenser fan motor: $300 to $600 installed.
• Compressor replacement: $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the system size and brand.
• Control board failure: $400 to $900 parts and labour.

A single major repair can cost more than several years of protection plan premiums. For homeowners with systems that are five years or older, the math strongly favours having coverage in place.

New central air conditioners come with a manufacturer's warranty that covers defects in parts — typically for five to ten years depending on the brand and whether registration is completed. This sounds comprehensive, but there are important limitations homeowners often discover at the worst possible moment:

• Manufacturer warranties cover parts only — not labour. The cost of having a technician diagnose and install a covered part is entirely your responsibility.
• Warranty claims require proof of annual maintenance. If you cannot provide service records, the manufacturer may deny your claim.
• Manufacturer warranties do not cover the service call fee, refrigerant, or any components deemed to have failed due to improper maintenance or installation.
• Once the manufacturer warranty expires — often after five years for many components — you have no coverage at all.

A Constant Home Comfort protection plan fills exactly these gaps. It covers labour, applies regardless of maintenance documentation disputes, and can extend protection well beyond the manufacturer's warranty period. It is the coverage your system actually needs, not just the coverage that looks good in the sales brochure.

It is a fair question. If your system is brand new, the manufacturer warranty is active — why add a protection plan on top?

There are two strong reasons. First, manufacturer warranties do not cover labour, and labour is often the most significant portion of any repair bill. Second, a protection plan from Constant Home Comfort includes benefits beyond repair coverage — specifically, priority scheduling and access to our 24/7 emergency line — that the manufacturer warranty simply does not provide.

For older systems — particularly those five years or older and approaching the end of their manufacturer warranty — a protection plan becomes even more critical. These are the years when components begin to show real wear, and the risk of a costly breakdown increases with each passing season.

The most comprehensive approach to protecting your central air conditioner is combining a protection plan with an annual maintenance plan. Here is how they work together:

• The maintenance plan handles proactive, scheduled tune-ups that keep your system efficient and catch small issues before they become failures.
• The protection plan covers the cost of repairs when something does break down despite proper maintenance.
• Together, they give you the best possible defense against both gradual wear and unexpected failures.

At Constant Home Comfort, we offer bundled options that cover both maintenance and protection for your central AC — and can extend that coverage to your furnace as well, giving you whole-home HVAC coverage in a single convenient plan.

Our protection plan is a smart choice for:

• Homeowners with a central AC system that is three or more years old, approaching the end of its most comprehensive manufacturer warranty coverage.
• Anyone who has recently purchased a home and does not know the full service history of the existing HVAC equipment.
• Homeowners who rely heavily on their AC and cannot afford the disruption or cost of an unexpected breakdown.
• Those who want access to 24/7 emergency service without paying premium emergency call-out rates.
• Anyone who purchased their system through Constant Home Comfort and wants to extend their coverage beyond the standard warranty.
• Homeowners are looking for predictable monthly home comfort costs with no surprise repair bills.

There is no shortage of companies in Ontario offering service agreements and protection plans. Here is what makes Constant Home Comfort different:

• We are the installer and the service provider — you are not dealing with a third-party administrator who will look for reasons to deny a claim. When you call us, our own certified technicians show up.
• Transparent plan terms with no hidden exclusions buried in fine print.
• 24/7 emergency availability, not just during business hours.
• Experienced technicians trained on all major brands including Lennox, American Standard, Daikin, Bosch, Carrier, and more.
• Local service teams across Toronto, GTA, Hamilton, Ottawa, Barrie, Burlington, Waterloo, London, and throughout Ontario.
• The option to bundle AC protection with furnace protection for full year-round coverage.
• A team that has been trusted by Ontario homeowners for years to show up, do the job right, and stand behind their work.

What is the difference between a protection plan and a maintenance plan?

A maintenance plan covers scheduled annual tune-ups — the preventive care that keeps your system running well. A protection plan covers the cost of repairs when something breaks down unexpectedly. Maintenance is proactive; protection is reactive. Both work best when used together.

Does the protection plan cover labour costs?

Yes. Unlike manufacturer warranties, which typically cover parts only, our protection plan includes both parts and labour for all covered repairs. You will not receive a separate bill for the technician's time.

Can I enroll in a protection plan if I did not buy my AC from Constant Home Comfort?

Yes, in most cases. Our team will perform an assessment of your existing system before enrollment to confirm its current condition and eligibility. Contact us to discuss your specific equipment and situation.

What happens if my air conditioner cannot be repaired under the plan?

If a covered component fails and cannot be repaired, or if repair is not cost-effective relative to the plan terms, we will work with you on a replacement solution. Protection plan holders receive preferred pricing on new system purchases through Constant Home Comfort.

Is there a waiting period before coverage begins?

Plan terms vary, and some plans include a short waiting period before coverage becomes active. Our team will walk you through the specific details of your plan at the time of enrollment so there are no surprises.

How do I make a claim if my AC breaks down?

Simply call our service line at 1 (888) 675-5907 and let us know you are a protection plan holder. We will prioritize your call, dispatch a certified technician, and handle the covered repair with no out-of-pocket cost to you beyond any applicable service call fee specified in your plan.

Can I combine AC and furnace coverage in one plan?

Yes. We offer bundled protection plans that cover both your central air conditioner and your furnace under a single plan, giving you complete year-round coverage for your home's most essential systems.

Protection plans cannot be added after a breakdown has already occurred. The time to get covered is now — before the summer heat arrives and before your system shows any signs of trouble.

Constant Home Comfort makes enrollment simple. Call us today at 1 (888) 675-5907 or fill out our online form and one of our team members will walk you through your plan options. Whether you have a brand-new system or one that has been running for years, we have a coverage option designed to protect your investment and your comfort.