House approves bill easing HVAC warranty transfer and registration requirements

The House passed Senate Bill 112, legislation that modifies consumer-warranty and registration rules for residential HVAC systems. Representative John Corbett, presenting the bill, said SB112 eliminates registration requirements for HVAC warranties that create burdens for contractors and consumers and protects the transferability of warranties to new property owners by tracking equipment via serial numbers.

Corbett said the bill "follows similar legislation that Florida passed in 2023" and that it protects consumers by allowing warranty rights to "follow the equipment and not the individual." Representative Jasmine Clark asked how warranty companies would track new homeowners without registration; Corbett answered that companies rely on equipment serial numbers to identify covered units when claims are filed.

The clerk recorded 166 yeas and 1 nay on final passage. Proponents described the bill as consumer-friendly and industry-supported (the Conditioned Air Association of Georgia), while supporters also said removing a registration step reduces administrative confusion for homeowners and contractors.