Heat pump corrosion

FAQ: Does my heat pump warranty cover corrosion damage?

We’ve had a complaint from Rotorua where a heat pump has failed after 3 years and the warranty claim has been declined because corrosion is not covered in geothermal areas.

In our opinion manufacturers’ warranties should cover corrosion damage in geothermal and seaside areas unless owners have been specifically warned the local environment is corrosive and that the warranty cover is reduced. If the cover is to be reduced customers should be given written notification of the extent and period of the reduced cover. We think the buyer should sign a separate clause in the warranty to ensure both parties are aware of their responsibilities.

What about the Consumer Guarantees Act?

The Consumer Guarantees Act (GGA) provides a guarantee over and above any maker’s warranty. The CGA says products must be durable. Most heat pump manufacturers offer 5 years parts and labour warranties which says they should be durable for at least 5 years. In our view, at least double that life is a reasonable expectation.

If an installer is prepared to supply and install a heat pump in Rotorua, we say they should have to repair or replace the heat pump for corrosion damage for at least the life of the factory warranty.

Installers are service providers, who must use reasonable care and skill when they provide their service. To supply and install a heat pump in Rotorua (or by the seaside) without any required extra protective anti-corrosion coatings, while knowing it might fail prematurely due to corrosion, is failing to use reasonable care and skill.

What’s in the warranties

We checked some makers' brochures to see what was in the fine print.

Mitsubishi Electric: 5 years parts and labour. Warranty contains a special exclusion for damage caused by “salt (seaside) and sulphur (Rotorua)”. Under 'Owner’s responsibility': “the application of additional corrosive protection if the product is installed in a corrosive environment (for example, sea air, industrial environment, geothermal sulphur contamination)”.

We think this should be the installer’s responsibility under the reasonable care and skill provisions of the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Fujitsu website: “We offer New Zealand's longest warranty – 6 years full parts and labour warranty in fact – when you use a Fujitsu Accredited Installer.” This is repeated in the brochure which also says the warranty does not cover “environmental damage”. 

Fujitsu told us it has only had one instance of premature corrosion in Rotorua, which was due to an inexperienced installer. It would repair or replace anything caused by factory failure.

Carrier and Toshiba: 5 years parts and labour warranty. Under 'Exclusions': “damage, problems or failure caused by weather including, but not limited to, hail, salt or other corrosive substances.” Under 'Purchaser’s Responsibilities': ensuring that additional corrosive protection is applied to the product if it is installed in a corrosive environment, for example, close to the sea. 

We think this should be the installer’s responsibility under the reasonable care and skill provisions of the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Panasonic: The brochure claims “blue fin” technology has tripled the life of the condenser. 5 years parts and labour warranty. Under 'Warranty Exclusions': rust or damage caused by a corrosive atmosphere (for example, salt and sulphur).

Panasonic told us it will stand by the normal warranty on its products in Rotorua (or seaside locations), provided the heat pump is installed by a Panasonic approved installer or dealer in accordance with the factory specifications, including the application of extra anti-corrosive coatings. The warranty covers failure to operate due to corrosion, but not cosmetic corrosion or surface rust.

Daikin: 5 years parts and labour warranty. This warranty does not cover: “damage or deterioration to the external surfaces or refrigeration coils caused by normal weathering or corrosive atmospheric conditions.” Under 'Owner’s Responsibility': “the application of additional corrosion protection if the product is installed in a corrosive environment (for example, industrial pollution, sea air).”

We think this should be the installer’s responsibility under the reasonable care and skill provisions of the Consumer Guarantees Act.

MHI (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries): 5 years parts and labour warranty: “corrosion in toxic or excessive environments” is not covered. MHI told us it did not offer any warranty on corrosion in Rotorua.

We say

• Heat pump installers in geothermal or coastal areas should take note of the CGA provisions and ensure their customers clearly understand any reduced warranties before installation, as well as installing any recommended corrosion protection.
• If you live near the sea, or in a geothermal area, make sure you ask the installer about warranty cover before you go ahead with a heat-pump installation.
• If you think you have a claim for corrosion repair, try the Disputes Tribunal – and let us know how you get on, it will be useful for others in a similar position.