Pentair Warranty Questions

[eskewj]

Can anyone familiar with Pentair help me better understand how the warranty works on their variable speed pumps? As I understand it’s a two-tier system: if you have it installed by a professional, you are afforded a 2-year warranty. Otherwise, (if you install yourself) it’s only 60 days. That’s a huge difference! Questions:

1. Can a homeowner purchase the unit on the web, then have a professional install it and still be eligible for the longer warranty?
2. This policy must have been born from a high number of customers trying to install themselves, botching it, then leaving Pentair on the hook for warranty claims. However I’m looking at it and wondering what could possibly go wrong? There are two plumbing connections (inlet and outlet) plus attaching a few wires. Hard for me to reason where that would introduce a lot of room for error.

I’m inclined to do the install myself, but golly I don’t want to be out $1,200+ due to a failure on day 61.

Thanks for your input.

 

[ajw22]

Here is the fine print on the Pentair warranty - Product Warranty Information

 

[eskewj]

Here is the fine print on the Pentair warranty - Product Warranty Information

Thanks - that's where I got the 2 yrs vs. 60 days info. Seems extreme.

 

[ajw22]

Find a qualified installer who will inspect your work and give you an invoice. The definition is pretty broad.

**Note: Qualified Installer - Defined as a licensed professional who charges a fee for his services, and possesses a business license, contractor's license and/or resale permit. Common examples of a "qualified installer" include: Swimming Pool, Home Repair or Landscape Professional; Plumber or Electrician; General Contractor; Heating and Air Conditioning Specialist.

 

[eskewj]

Good idea--I'll look into that. I was actually anticipating a cautionary tale from someone with insight saying, "don't do X or it will wreck your new pump" as if it was a common occurrence. Pentair must have had frequent instances of things going wrong on the DIY front for this to be a concern for them.

 

[ajw22]

Pentair is trying to support their dealer installation network.

 

[eskewj]

Makes sense, but you'd think they'd limit installs to "Pentair authorized dealers" if that were the case.

 

[ajw22]

Makes sense, but you'd think they'd limit installs to "Pentair authorized dealers" if that were the case.

They realize how much sales they would lose clamping down too hard on warranty. I think Jandy has tightened warranty more for non authorized installs.

 

[Chuckiechan]

It is their way of “supporting” the pool industry. Also, they want you to pay the extra money so they have an intermediary between them and you.

IMO, they are not “end user focused”. They build and sell pumps. Period.

“Contractors license”? Does my Glaziers license qualify?

 

[Bama Rambler]

1. Can a homeowner purchase the unit on the web, then have a professional install it and still be eligible for the longer warranty?
Technically yes, but it's hard to find someone to install a pump you bought off the internet. If you do, they usually take no responsibility for any part of it, including the installation.

2. This policy must have been born from a high number of customers trying to install themselves, botching it, then leaving Pentair on the hook for warranty claims. However I’m looking at it and wondering what could possibly go wrong? There are two plumbing connections (inlet and outlet) plus attaching a few wires. Hard for me to reason where that would introduce a lot of room for error.

As Allen said, it's all about protecting their dealer network.

I’m inclined to do the install myself, but golly I don’t want to be out $1,200+ due to a failure on day 61.

Thanks for your input.

While it's good equipment, I really shy away from it, for the warranty issue. Even if they had made it a one year vs two year it'd be ok, but 60 days is just ridiculous.