Realtors

Starting January 1, 2010, a new EPA mandate will change the way your clients' home air conditioners are serviced and repaired. At that time, manufacturing HVAC equipment that primarily utilizes Freon® (also known as R-22 and HCFC-22) will be banned, and the nation will begin using products such as Puron® (also known as R-410A) as the standard refrigerant for air conditioners. Read all about the changes—and how they'll affect you—here.

Question

What should I tell my clients about R-410A?

Answer

You can refer your clients to the R410ASolutions.com website for information.

Question

What responsibility do I have for providing R-410A information to my clients?

Answer

Only a licensed real estate attorney in your area can answer that question. Most states have specific disclosure requirements that must be considered. You may want to:

• Consider adding a disclosure form that details the potential impact of the new refrigeration requirements with all home sales.
• Offer a home service contract/ warranty on each transaction that includes R-410A coverage from a company that covers the transition.
• Have the parties to the transaction sign the disclosure form as evidence that they were made aware of the R-410A issue and were offered a home service contract/ warranty.

Question

Do home service contracts/ warranties cover R-410A issues?

Answer

Each home service contract company may adopt a different position. The language in most currently issued home service contract/ warranties excludes coverage for a complete system replacement when R-22 equipment is not available. You must read the contract carefully.

Question

How will Home Buyers Resale Warranty Corporation (HBRWC) address the transition to R-410A systems?

Answer

For a limited time, current HBRWC contract-holders will be able to purchase an optional upgrade to cover the cost of a system replacement when necessitated by the unavailability of equipment. Refer to the contract for specific coverage, terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and service fees. Until new contracts are issued, the option will also be made available to new warranty clients.

Question

How can I provide HBRWC home service contracts to my clients?

Answer

Click here or call 800-795-9595 to sign up today.

Question

If my clients are currently covered by another warranty company, can they upgrade to a HBRWC home service contract with R-410A coverage?

Answer

With proof of continuous coverage, they can easily switch to an HBRWC home service contract at their renewal date. Call 1-800-743-4210 for more information.

Question

How might the new mandate affect home inspections?

Answer

When home inspectors offer repair and/or replacement cost estimates in their inspection reports, they will need to show the increased costs related to the R-410A mandate. We recommend an additional inspection by a qualified HVAC systems contractor.