These two plans serve different but complementary purposes, and understanding the distinction helps you decide which one — or whether both — makes sense for your situation.

Maintenance Plan: Preventive care. Covers scheduled annual professional tune-ups and inspections designed to keep your system running at peak efficiency and catch developing issues before they cause a breakdown. It reduces the likelihood of needing a repair.

Protection Plan: Repair coverage. Covers the cost of parts and labour when a covered component fails unexpectedly. It is your financial safety net for the repairs that happen despite good maintenance — because no mechanical system is immune to wear and eventual component failure.

For a central ducted heat pump — a system that is responsible for whole-home comfort and runs year-round — the case for combining both plans is strong. Maintenance reduces your risk. Protection covers you when risk becomes reality. Together, they provide the most complete coverage available and give you the confidence to rely on your system through every Ontario season.

With a ductless heat pump serving a single zone, a component failure means one room loses comfort. That's inconvenient. With a ducted central heat pump, a compressor failure, a failed control board, or a stuck reversing valve means the entire home loses heating or cooling simultaneously — every bedroom, the living area, the home office, all at once. In January at -20°C, that is not a manageable inconvenience. It is an emergency.

Central heat pump components also tend to be more costly to replace than their ductless counterparts. The compressor in a 3-ton central system is a larger, more expensive part than one in a single-zone mini-split. The air handler components — blower motor assembly, evaporator coil, control board — are central-system-specific and carry price tags that reflect their role in conditioning an entire home. A protection plan converts those unpredictable, potentially large repair expenses into a predictable annual cost — and ensures that when a repair is needed, it happens fast and completely.

Our protection plan is designed to cover the components that represent the greatest financial exposure — the parts whose failure causes the most disruption and costs the most to fix.

Outdoor Unit — Major Mechanical Components

• Compressor: The compressor is the most critical and most expensive component in a central heat pump system. Compressor failure typically results in a complete loss of heating and cooling capacity. Replacement involves full refrigerant recovery, compressor swap, system evacuation, and recharge — a labour-intensive process that can cost $2,000 to $4,000 or more depending on the system. Full coverage under the protection plan means this cost falls entirely on us.
• Reversing valve: Controls the direction of refrigerant flow between heating and cooling modes. A failed reversing valve leaves the system locked in one mode or prevents operation entirely. Replacement requires refrigerant recovery, valve replacement, evacuation, and recharge — a significant labour and materials cost. Covered.
• Expansion valve: Regulates refrigerant flow into the evaporator coil. A failed expansion valve causes poor heating or cooling performance, evaporator icing, and eventual compressor damage if not addressed. Covered.
• Condenser fan motor: Drives airflow across the outdoor coil for heat rejection in cooling mode and heat absorption in heating mode. Fan motor failure triggers system shutdown via high-pressure protection. Covered.

Indoor Air Handler — Major Components

• Blower motor assembly: The indoor blower motor drives all airflow through your duct system. Failure results in no air circulation throughout the entire home. The blower motor and its associated capacitor are covered.
• Evaporator coil: A cracked or leaking evaporator coil causes refrigerant loss and complete loss of heating and cooling capacity. Evaporator coil replacement in a central air handler is a major labour and materials repair. Covered.
• Air handler control board: Controls all air handler functions including blower speed, auxiliary heat activation, and communication with the outdoor unit and thermostat. Control board failure can cause a complete range of symptoms from total shutdown to erratic operation. Covered.
• Condensate drain pan: A cracked or failed condensate drain pan allows water to escape the air handler, causing water damage to surrounding building materials. Drain pan replacement is covered.

Electrical and Control Components

• Outdoor unit control board: Manages all outdoor unit functions including compressor operation, fan control, defrost cycles, and communication with the indoor unit and thermostat. Covered.
• Defrost control board and sensors: The defrost system is essential for winter heating performance in Ontario. A failed defrost control board or sensor allows the outdoor coil to ice over, severely reducing heating capacity. Both the control board and associated sensors are covered.
• Capacitors and contactors: Common electrical wear items in the outdoor unit responsible for starting the compressor and outdoor fan motor. Failure prevents the outdoor unit from operating. Covered.
• Thermistors and temperature sensors: Temperature sensors throughout the system provide the data the control boards use to regulate operation. Faulty sensors cause inaccurate temperature control, error codes, and inefficient operation. Covered.
• Internal electrical wiring and connections: Wiring faults, failed terminal connections, and related electrical issues within the indoor and outdoor units are covered.

Refrigerant System

• Refrigerant leak detection and repair: We locate the source of the leak using electronic detection equipment, repair it at the point of failure, and recharge the system to manufacturer specifications. Refrigerant recharge is covered as part of a qualifying leak repair — not as a standalone top-up for systems with ongoing unresolved leaks.
• Refrigerant line fittings and connections: Flare connections and line set fittings that develop leaks are covered for repair.

Service and Labour

• All covered repair labour: Diagnosis, disassembly, component replacement, system testing, and reassembly are covered in full for all qualifying repairs. Parts are only half the cost of most major repairs — labour coverage is equally important.
• 24/7 emergency service dispatch: Protection plan members receive 24/7 emergency dispatch coverage for covered repairs. A whole-home heating or cooling failure in Ontario's climate is never a wait-until-morning situation. We dispatch day or night, weekends and holidays included.
• Priority service queue: Protection plan members are dispatched ahead of standard service call customers during peak demand periods. In January when every HVAC company in Ontario is fielding emergency calls simultaneously, being at the front of the queue means the difference between a few hours without heat and a full day or more.
• Diagnostic service calls: The service call fee — including travel and initial diagnosis — is covered for protection plan members on qualifying repair calls. Standard customers pay a service call fee before any diagnostic or repair work begins.

We believe every homeowner deserves to understand exactly what their plan covers and what it does not. The following are excluded:

• Air filters: Filters are a homeowner-supplied consumable item intended for regular replacement. Not covered.
• Ductwork repairs or modifications: The protection plan covers the heat pump equipment itself — the outdoor unit, the indoor air handler, and the refrigerant system. Duct repairs, duct cleaning, and duct modifications are not included. Ask us about duct service options separately.
• Damage from external causes: Physical damage from flooding, fire, lightning strikes, power surges, animal or pest damage, or accidents is not covered under the protection plan. These scenarios are typically addressed through home insurance.
• Pre-existing conditions: Issues that are present and documented at the time of enrollment are not covered. Our enrollment inspection establishes the system's baseline condition before coverage begins.
• Cosmetic damage: Scratches, dents, faded cabinet panels, or other cosmetic issues that do not affect function are not covered.
• Gas furnace components in dual-fuel systems: The protection plan covers the heat pump — the outdoor compressor unit and indoor air handler. In a dual-fuel system, the gas furnace is a separate piece of equipment. Ask us about combined heat pump and furnace protection plan options if you have a dual-fuel system.
• Systems beyond serviceable condition: Systems determined at enrollment to be beyond cost-effective repair are not eligible for coverage. We will be honest about this assessment and provide a replacement recommendation if applicable.

Enrollment

To enrol, contact us to schedule a brief enrollment inspection. A certified technician visits your home, assesses the current condition of your outdoor unit and indoor air handler, documents the system's age and model information, and confirms it is in good working order and eligible for coverage. Most systems in functional condition qualify. The inspection typically takes less than an hour and can often be scheduled within a few days of your call.

When Something Breaks

Call us at 1 (888) 675-5907 — any time of day or night, any day of the year. Tell us what your system is doing or not doing. Protection plan members are prioritized in our dispatch queue, and we'll get a technician to your home as quickly as possible. In most Ontario communities, our goal is to have a technician on-site within a few hours of your call.

The Repair Visit

Our technician diagnoses the issue, confirms whether it falls under your coverage, and proceeds with the repair. For covered repairs, you pay nothing for parts, labour, or the service call. If the repair involves a component or cause outside your coverage, we explain clearly what is and is not covered before any out-of-pocket work begins — and you always have the choice to approve, decline, or take time to consider.

Documentation and Records

Every repair visit is logged in your account record. This documentation serves as proof of professional service history — relevant to manufacturer warranty claims, future service visits, and when you eventually sell your home. A documented repair and service history is a genuine asset in a property transaction, demonstrating to buyers that the system has been professionally maintained and repaired throughout its life.

Central ducted heat pump repairs are among the most expensive HVAC service events a homeowner can face. Here is a realistic cost reference for common repairs without coverage:

• Compressor replacement: $2,000 to $4,500+ including parts and labour, depending on system size, brand, and compressor type. This is the repair event that most consistently motivates homeowners to wish they had a protection plan.
• Evaporator coil replacement: $1,200 to $2,500 including parts and labour for a central air handler coil — more complex and more expensive than replacing a coil in a ductless unit.
• Blower motor replacement: $500 to $900 including parts and labour.
• Control board replacement (outdoor or indoor): $600 to $1,400 including parts and labour, depending on the brand and board complexity.
• Reversing valve replacement: $700 to $1,300 including parts, labour, refrigerant recovery, and recharge.
• Refrigerant leak repair and recharge: $450 to $1,000+ depending on leak location and refrigerant quantity required.
• Defrost control board replacement: $400 to $800 including parts and labour.
• After-hours emergency service call (without a plan): $150 to $300 before any diagnostic or repair work begins.

A single compressor failure on a mid-range central heat pump system can cost more than several years of protection plan premiums. For most homeowners, the plan pays for itself the first time a significant repair is needed — and provides financial predictability and peace of mind in every year that it isn't.

The most complete coverage comes from combining both plans. Here is why they work so well together for a central ducted system:

• Annual maintenance catches developing issues early — dirty coils, low refrigerant, degraded capacitors, defrost sensor drift — often before they cause a complete breakdown
• Regular maintenance extends the working life of every major component, reducing the frequency and severity of repair events over the system's lifespan
• Documented maintenance visits satisfy manufacturer warranty conditions, protecting any remaining factory coverage
• The maintenance plan verifies dual-fuel system operation annually, reducing the risk of discovering a furnace backup issue in the middle of a cold snap
• The protection plan covers you for breakdowns that occur despite good maintenance — because mechanical components wear and fail over time regardless of how well they are cared for
• Together, both plans give you the full picture: prevention on the front end, financial protection on the back end, and a single point of contact — Constant Home Comfort — for all of your central heat pump service needs

Many customers who purchase a new ducted heat pump through Constant Home Comfort enrol in both plans at the time of installation — establishing complete coverage from day one and building a service record that protects their investment and their home's value for the full life of the system. Ask about combined plan pricing when you request your quote.

We offer protection plans for central heat pump systems from all major manufacturers, regardless of who originally supplied or installed the equipment:

• Lennox
• Daikin
• Bosch
• American Standard
• Carrier
• Trane
• Bryant
• Goodman
• York
• Rheem
• Armstrong Air
• And most other residential central heat pump brands

If you are unsure whether your specific brand or model qualifies, contact us and we will confirm during the enrollment inquiry.

Constant Home Comfort protection plans are available to homeowners across Ontario, including:

• Toronto and all inner-city neighbourhoods
• North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough
• Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, and Thornhill
• Mississauga, Brampton, and Oakville
• Durham Region — Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and Pickering
• Newmarket, Aurora, and King City
• Hamilton and Burlington
• Waterloo Region — Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge
• London and surrounding areas
• Ottawa and Kanata
• Barrie and Simcoe County
• And communities across Ontario — call us to confirm availability in your area

Does the protection plan cover my gas furnace if I have a dual-fuel system?

The ducted heat pump protection plan covers the heat pump — the outdoor compressor unit and the indoor air handler. In a dual-fuel system, the gas furnace is a separate piece of equipment with its own components and service requirements. Ask us about combined heat pump and furnace protection plan options if you want coverage for both systems under a single plan. We can structure coverage that addresses your complete dual-fuel setup.

Can I enrol in a protection plan if my system was installed by a different contractor?

Yes. We offer protection plans for central heat pump systems from all major brands regardless of who originally installed them. The only requirement is that the system passes our enrollment inspection — confirming it is in good working condition and eligible for coverage. Systems that are already experiencing known issues are not eligible for immediate enrollment but may qualify after those issues are addressed.

What happens if my compressor fails and cannot be replaced?

If a compressor failure occurs on a system where the compressor is no longer available — due to age or model discontinuation — or where replacement is not economically justified given the system's age and overall condition, we provide an honest assessment and a competitive replacement quote. Protection plan members receive preferred pricing on replacement systems and installation. The specific terms for non-repairable system scenarios are detailed in your plan agreement.

How does the protection plan interact with my manufacturer warranty?

The protection plan works alongside your manufacturer warranty, not in place of it. During the active manufacturer warranty period, applicable repairs are processed through the warranty channel where possible. The protection plan covers items or situations outside manufacturer warranty coverage and extends your repair protection beyond the warranty term — providing continuity of coverage as your system ages past its factory warranty period.

Is there a limit to how many repairs are covered per year?

Coverage terms vary by plan level. Contact us for full plan details, including any annual coverage limits, per-incident terms, and conditions that apply to your specific plan. We are committed to transparency about coverage terms — if you have a specific question about whether a particular repair scenario would be covered, ask us directly and we will give you a clear answer.

Can I transfer the protection plan if I sell my home?

Yes. Protection plans are transferable to a new homeowner, which can be a meaningful feature when selling your property. A transferable protection plan on a central heat pump demonstrates to buyers that the whole-home comfort system is covered and has been professionally maintained — it adds confidence to the transaction and can support your asking price. Contact us to arrange the transfer when your home changes hands.

When should I enrol — right after installation or later?

Enrolling at the time of installation is ideal. New systems are typically covered by the manufacturer warranty in their early years, but enrolling in a protection plan from day one establishes your coverage record immediately, ensures seamless transition as the manufacturer warranty expires, and positions you for priority service from the start of your system's life. Many Constant Home Comfort customers who purchase a new ducted heat pump enrol in both the maintenance and protection plans at installation — for complete, uninterrupted coverage from day one.

A central ducted heat pump failure affects every room in your home. Don't wait for a breakdown on the coldest night of the year to wish you had coverage. A Constant Home Comfort protection plan gives you 24/7 emergency repair access, full parts and labour coverage on major components, priority dispatch ahead of standard service customers, and the financial predictability of knowing your largest potential repair costs are taken care of — for every year your system is in service.

Call us today to schedule your enrollment inspection and activate your coverage. Our team will walk you through every plan option, answer every question you have, and help you choose the level of protection that fits your system and your peace of mind.

Call us: 1 (888) 675-5907

Visit: constanthomecomfort.com

Serving Toronto, GTA, Hamilton, Ottawa, London, Barrie, Waterloo, Burlington, and all of Ontario.