Senville Mini Split Warranty with EPA 608 Universal Certification?

[Buckaroo5]

I am intending to install a mini-split in my cabin this spring and have been looking at a Senville unit. I am going to do it DIY but Senville will not warranty it unless professionally installed. Not a show stopper for me but I have an EPA 609 MVAC cert and was considering getting an EPA 608 HVAC cert via SkillCat if that would be sufficient for Senville. Does anyone have experience with this?

This is the statement from their website....
"Pressure testing and evacuation of line sets must be completed by a licensed HVAC professional. Proper installation prevents 90% of potential issues and ensures optimal performance. DIY installation will void your warranty coverage."

Does the EPA 608 Cert suffice?

 

[finn]

My unqualified guess is no.

 

[pcmeiners]

Call the company. Most times a 608 cert is required, also if you take the test go for the Universal.

From the Seville warranty....

" state-certified or licensed HVAC contractor[1], under applicable local and state law in accordance with all applicable building codes and permits"

So you need the 608 to be legal for the federal (Seville will likely require), then IF your state has requirements/licensing, you need that, and if your local municipality has requirement you need that......call Seville see if they are lacks on some of the requirements. My state/ local municipality PA doe not have any requirements. I got off light I only had to have the 608 for my Fujitsu splits.

As to the warranty be aware it does not cover labor, there is a good chance if you have a part die it my take some time to get parts delivered.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Call the company. Most times a 608 cert is required, also if you take the test go for the Universal.

" state-certified or licensed HVAC contractor[1], under applicable local and state law in accordance with all applicable building codes and permits"

So you need the 608 to be legal for the federal (Seville will likely require), then IF your state has requirements/licensing, you need that, and if your local municipality has requirement you need that......call Seville see if they are lacks on some of the requirements. My state/ local municipality PA doe not have any requirements. I got off light I only had to have the 608 for my Fujitsu splits.


As to the warranty be aware it does not cover labor, there is a good chance if you have a part die it my take some time to get parts delivered .

Have you had to warranty anything with Fujitsu? Did you need to explain the lack of state/local licensing requirements or did they just know that based on your address? Or did you just provide your 608 license number on the warranty registration?

HVAC contractor licensing in OH requires passing a couple of open book tests, have 5 year experience, $500,000 insurance and undergo a background check. Answers all over the place on the internet but practically, it seems to come down to license required to do commercial work and pull permits. Permits required for residential work in incorporated areas but my cabin is in the boonies so no permit or inspections required.

A number of internet posts indicate that they have had success getting troubleshooting assistance and warranty parts from Senville with DIY install - I suspect no questions were asked. I don't really want to call them...have always been a "if you ask the question, you have to live with the answer" kind of guy. I was hoping that someone would chime in that has filled out the Senville Warranty Registration and tell me what kind of licensing information they ask for. I have decided I'm buying the Senville unit so really I'm just trying to see if there is any value in doing the 608 Certification. I have some time on my hands in the winter so likely could knock it out online in a week for less than $50 so might do it just for fun anyway.

 

[ALinCarolina]

I bet they don't consider EPA certification the same as licensing. Email them for an answer, don't call, so you have some sort of documentation of their stance. I have heard that Pioneer recognizes DIY installs but better check with them too. Other than the couple of companies considered premium I think most every other splits are comparable and made in the same factory.

 

[WildBill]

That didn't work for me because they wanted proof of a business licence, so I went with the Mr.Cool DIY setup so I would have a warranty.

 

[Buckaroo5]

That didn't work for me because they wanted proof of a business licence, so I went with the Mr.Cool DIY setup so I would have a warranty.

Was that Senville or another company?

 

[WildBill]

Was that Senville or another company?

Senville and Mitsubishi both told me that a couple of years ago, but a friend said that recently Mitsubishi told him his 608 number was enough. But he has not done a claim yet, so I don't fully trust it. I have been really happy with my Mr.Cool setup, and not needed a pump or gauges to install it made it a half day job to wire up and install a 24k setup in my shop, was slick. Started about 8am and had ice cold air blowing by lunch. Still going good 3 years later.

 

[pcmeiners]

Have you had to warranty anything with Fujitsu? Did you need to explain the lack of state/local licensing requirements or did they just know that based on your address? Or did you just provide your 608 license number on the warranty registration?

You did not read my post, I filled out (5) warranty forms, provided my 608 cert number and have 5 warranty verification. And yes I had a claim for a missing set of Internet modules. Fujitsu's warranty form asked for the installer's license so I put in EPA followed by my 608 number.

 

[mm08822]

For $50, that's a boat load of smarts you'll be getting.

It will take some time to go through all of the training material but can save yourself a lot of future headaches.

Having the certification will enable you to buy freon.

 

[PoorUB]

Anyone can get an 608 card. It doesn't make you a contractor.
I don't think they will accept the 608 as prof of being a contractor.

IMO, I used to do HVAC for a living and worked for a contractor and it didn't make me a contractor, just a technician. They would probably refuse warranty on a unit I installed personally for myself.

 

[dscheidt]

I suspect the “install by professional “ is a way to reduce the claims from poor installation, and a number, from whatever license, is enough of a hoop for that. Same sort of thing with supply houses that are professional only, but are willing to take cash from B anyone who walks in and knows what they need.

 

[SVibs]

I have a EPA 608 Universal Cert. I used my cert number for warranty registration and they accepted it without question. I had a condenser unit main board failure last summer and support was excellent--no questions, no hassles. They sent a replacement board along with an evaporator unit board just in case that was an issue as well.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Thanks for everyone's input. I did go ahead and complete the EPA 608 Course, took my test and received certification on SkillCat. Cost me $10 and about three retirement sized days of work. They want $65 for the card so I think I will forego that for the moment. The Senville unit I had picked out went on backorder after I put it in my cart and they have not restocked it so I am twiddling my thumbs. No hurry as I would wait until it warmed up to do the install.