Costway Mini Split Warranty Explained: Coverage and Claims
Whose warranty it is
Every mini split we sell carries the manufacturer's limited warranty from Costway. We are an independent reseller, so we do not add a warranty of our own and we do not shorten the manufacturer's. What we do is pass the coverage through to you and handle the claim on your behalf: you contact us, we open the case with the manufacturer or our supplier, and we relay what they need. The terms themselves are Costway's, and if anything on our site differs from the manufacturer's document, the manufacturer's document wins.
How long the coverage runs
Coverage varies by model. Costway's published terms are often 5–8 years on the compressor and often 5 years on parts, but the exact years for each unit are printed on its product page under Warranty. Read that line before you buy; two units of the same size can carry different terms. If a listing is unclear, ask us and we will check the manufacturer's listing before you order.
The compressor term matters most. It is the most expensive part in the system and the one most likely to fail from a bad install. Parts coverage applies to the rest of the unit for the period printed on the page. Labor to diagnose or swap a part is not covered by the manufacturer, and we do not provide or pay for labor.
What voids it
The manufacturer's document has the full list. These are the ones that come up:
- Self-install or uncertified install. A claim on a self-installed unit may be denied. Have the system installed by an EPA Section 608 certified HVAC technician and keep the installer's itemized invoice with the serial numbers on it.
- Wrong voltage. Feeding a 115V unit from a 230V circuit, or the reverse, is not a defect. Neither is an undersized breaker, undersized wire, or a missing disconnect.
- Refrigerant mishandling. A skipped vacuum, a bad flare, a line set that was never pressure tested, or a charge added by guesswork all show up later as compressor failures, and none of them is covered.
- Shipping damage. That is a delivery claim, not a warranty claim. Note damage on the proof of delivery and contact us within 48 hours; we handle the freight.
- Storms, flooding, surges, pests, neglect, and normal wear. Filters, remote batteries, and cosmetic marks are on you.
- Secondhand units and units installed outside the US.
How to file a claim through us
- Keep your invoice from The Mini Split Shop. It is your proof of purchase, and the manufacturer will ask for it. Keep the installer's invoice with it.
- Register the warranty if Costway requires it. That is your responsibility. Check the product page and the paperwork in the carton.
- Contact us first when something fails. Email setpile@gmail.com with your order number, the MPN, the serial number from the unit labels, a description of the fault, and photos or a short video. Any error code on the indoor display speeds things up.
- We open the claim. We file with the manufacturer or the supplier and relay what they need, which may include a tech's diagnosis.
- The manufacturer decides the remedy. Typical outcomes are a replacement part shipped to you or a replacement unit. Labor to install the part is yours.
The full process is on our Warranty page.
Where the 30-day return policy fits
The return policy and the warranty cover different situations, and it helps to know which one you are in.
Returns are for a unit you no longer want. Within 30 days of delivery you can return an unopened, unused unit in its original packaging with every kit part; you book and pay the return freight, and we refund the product price with no restocking fee. Once a unit is mounted, wired, or connected to a line set, or once refrigerant has been handled, it cannot be returned. Details are on the Returns page.
Damage on arrival is a claim we work for you: inspect the cartons before the driver leaves, note any damage on the proof of delivery, and email us photos within 48 hours. You do not pay freight on a DOA unit.
Warranty is for a defect that shows up after a proper install. That is the manufacturer's territory, and we are your route into it.
Before you buy
The single best thing you can do for a future claim is a clean install by a certified tech with a paper trail: a nitrogen pressure test, a vacuum to the manual's spec, a dedicated circuit sized to the data plate, and an itemized invoice. If the circuit is not settled yet, read 115V vs 208-230V: which circuit do you have? first, and see the Installation page for what to ask a tech.