Understanding Reliance Protection Plans

When something in your home stops working, it rarely happens at a convenient time.

A furnace in the middle of winter.
An AC during a heatwave.
A plumbing issue right before guests arrive.

It’s not just the cost that’s stressful. It’s figuring out who to call, how quickly someone can come, and whether you can trust the work being done.

That’s where a protection plan can make a real difference.

Instead of dealing with unexpected repairs as they come up, you have a simple, predictable monthly plan. If something breaks, you call Reliance and we take care of it. Parts, labour, and the service call are included for covered repairs, with no deductible and no pre-inspection required to get started.

This guide walks you through how protection plans work, what they cover, what they cost, and how to decide if one is right for your home.

How a Protection Plan Works

Signing up for a Reliance protection plan takes minutes. There’s no technician visit required before you start, and it doesn’t matter how old your equipment is, what brand it is, or where you bought it.

Here’s what happens once you’re enrolled:

• Something breaks down. Your furnace stops heating, your AC isn’t cooling, or your toilet won’t stop running.
• You call Reliance. Our phone lines are staffed 24/7/365 with live agents, not automated menus.
• A licensed technician is dispatched. As-soon-as same day repairs are available.
• The repair is completed. If the issue is covered under your plan, the parts and labour are included at no additional cost to you. There is no deductible and no service call fee.

That’s it. No back-and-forth, no unexpected charges, and no need to shop around for quotes when something goes wrong.

Who Should Consider a Protection Plan?

Protection plans are designed for homeowners who own their equipment outright. If you purchased your furnace, AC, heat pump or other home comfort equipment (rather than renting it), a protection plan gives you some of the repair coverage that rental customers receive automatically.

A protection plan may be a good fit if:

• Your equipment is past the manufacturer’s warranty period (typically 5 to 10 years after installation)
• You don’t have a trusted HVAC, plumbing, or electrical contractor on call
• You prefer predictable monthly costs over the risk of a large one-time repair bill
• You want access to licensed, insured technicians and experienced plumbers without the hassle of vetting contractors yourself

A protection plan may be less necessary if your equipment is brand new and still under manufacturer warranty, or if you have a dedicated emergency fund specifically set aside for home repairs.

Already renting your equipment from Reliance? Repair coverage is included in your rental agreement at no additional cost. You don’t need a separate protection plan for any equipment you rent.

What Does a Reliance Protection Plan Cover?

Every home is different, so protection plans are designed to cover the systems you rely on most: heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical.

Rather than thinking about coverage in technical terms, it helps to think about it this way:

A protection plan focuses on the parts that commonly fail and cause disruption and ensures you’re not paying out of pocket when they do.

Heating Coverage

Reliance Heating Protection Plans cover the components most likely to fail in your furnace, including:

• Ventor motor assembly
• Gas control valve
• Gas burner and orifices
• Limit controls
• Fan and blower components
• Electric ignition system
• Pilot burner, thermocouple, and generator
• Condensate pumps
• Door switch, flow switch, roll-out switch
• Heating circuit transformer and relay
• Thermostat (excluding Wi-Fi enabled models)
• Vent system pressure switch

Not covered: Full furnace replacement, ductwork, chimneys, or heat exchangers.

Cooling Coverage

Reliance Cooling Protection Plans cover the components that keep your central air conditioner running, including:

• Condenser fan motor and fan blade
• Evaporator coil
• Internal copper tubing
• Cooling contactor and relay
• Capacitor and line components
• Add-on fan centres and indoor fan relay
• Internal electrical wiring
• Low ambient temperature sensor

Not covered: Compressor and condenser coil replacement, or repairs required within the furnace or air handler.

Plumbing Coverage

There are two plumbing plan levels. The basic Plumbing Protection Plan covers:

• Hot and cold-water pipes inside the home
• Blocked toilets, sinks, and showers
• Moving parts within the toilet tank
• Toilet flange repair
• Repair of shut-off valves (isolation valves)
• Inspection and repair of backwater valves
• Mixing valves and humidifier valves

The Plumbing Protection Plan Plus adds:

• Faucet repair, including replacement of washers and cartridges
• Piping repairs on the lines running to your humidifier, dishwasher, and refrigerator
• Outside hose bibs
• Mechanical pop-up stoppers
• Diagnosis of below-grade waste drainage

Not covered (both plans): Fixture or appliance replacement, new fixture installation, boilers or radiators, swimming pools or hot tubs, municipal water service issues, sump pumps, or pipe replacement due to poor design or galvanized/lead/cast iron piping.

Electrical Coverage

The Electrical Protection Plan covers common electrical repairs in your home, including:

• Switches, outlets, and receptacles
• Components within electrical panels and sub-panels
• Pot light repairs
• Doorbell system repair
• Fluorescent fixtures
• Dryer outlets

The Electrical Protection & Inspection Plan also includes an annual electrical inspection of select electrical components.

Not covered: Repairs related to obsolete wiring systems. Please note this plan has a coverage cap. Contact Reliance for full details.

What Does It Cost When Something Breaks?

One of the biggest challenges with homeownership is unpredictability. You don’t know when something will break, or how much it will cost when it does.

Here’s what common repairs cost when you pay out of pocket, based on Reliance service data:

With a protection plan, every eligible repair on this list is covered at no additional cost beyond your monthly payment. A single furnace motor repair could cost more than four years of a Heating Protection Plan.

2026 Protection Plan Pricing

All plans are billed monthly plus applicable taxes and are on a 12-month term. For many homeowners, it’s less about the exact price and more about knowing that a repair won’t turn into an unexpected bill.

Every plan includes parts and labour, no deductible, no pre-inspection, and guaranteed service from licensed technicians.

Maintenance Plans

Maintenance plans include an annual professional tune-up to help keep your equipment running efficiently and catch small issues before they become costly repairs.

Single-System Protection Plans

Protection plans cover the cost of eligible repairs with unlimited service calls.

Protection & Maintenance Combos

Get both repair coverage and annual maintenance at a bundled rate.

Multi-System Bundles

Cover more of your home and save more. These plans combine heating, cooling, plumbing, and/or electrical coverage.

The Whole Home Protection Plan is the most comprehensive option Reliance offers. It covers your furnace, air conditioner, plumbing, and electrical systems with repair protection, annual maintenance for heating and cooling, and an annual electrical inspection.

Why Many Homeowners Choose to Bundle

Many homeowners start with one system, then realize it makes sense to protect more of their home at once. Bundling plans help lower the overall monthly cost while giving you broader coverage.

It also simplifies things. One provider, one plan, and one number to call when something goes wrong. Here’s a real example:

If you purchased each of these plans separately:

• Heating Protection Plan: $16.99
• Cooling Protection Plan: $16.99
• Heating Maintenance: $9.99
• Cooling Maintenance: $9.99
• Plumbing Protection Plan Plus: $26.99
• Electrical Protection: $19.99
• Total if purchased separately: $100.94/mo

The Whole Home Protection Plan covers all of this for $66.99/mo, a savings of $33.95 every month (or roughly $407 per year).

Even smaller bundles offer meaningful savings. The Heating & Cooling Protection & Maintenance Plan ($34.99/mo) saves you nearly $19/mo compared to buying four separate heating and cooling plans.

Is a Protection Plan Right for You?

Not every homeowner approaches repairs the same way. Some prefer to handle issues as they come up, while others want more predictability and support when something goes wrong.

This quick comparison can help you decide what feels right for your home.

Protection Plan vs Handling Repairs Yourself

A protection plan may be a better fit if you:

• Prefer predictable monthly costs instead of unexpected repair bills
• Want a simple solution with one number to call when something breaks
• Value 24/7/365 support and faster access to service
• Don’t want to spend time researching and comparing contractors in an urgent situation
• Own equipment that is no longer under manufacturer warranty

Handling repairs as they come may make sense if you:

• Are comfortable covering repair costs as they come up
• Have a trusted technician or contractor you already rely on
• Have newer equipment still under warranty
• Prefer not to have a monthly payment

A Simple Way to Think About It

If your priority is avoiding surprise costs and simplifying home maintenance, a protection plan can provide peace of mind.

If your priority is minimizing monthly expenses and managing repairs yourself when needed, paying out of pocket may be the better option.

What Many Homeowners Choose

Many homeowners start by covering one system, like heating or cooling, and then expand over time as their equipment ages or their needs change.

Others prefer to bundle multiple systems from the start for more complete coverage and savings.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on how you prefer to manage your home, your budget, and how much uncertainty you’re comfortable with.

Protection Plan vs Paying for Repairs Out of Pocket

The Value of Annual Maintenance

Plans that include “Maintenance” in the name come with a professional tune-up each year. This isn’t just a checkbox. Annual maintenance helps:

• Catch small problems early before they become expensive breakdowns
• Keep your system running efficiently, which can affect your comfort and the lifespan of your equipment

Give you peace of mind heading into the season when you rely on your equipment most.

For furnaces, maintenance is ideally performed in the fall before heating season. For air conditioners, spring is the best time. If your plan covers both, you’ll receive two separate tune-ups per year.

How to Sign Up or Cancel

Signing up: Call 1-888-837-1451 or sign up online at reliancehomecomfort.com/protection-plans. No pre-inspection is required. Your coverage begins on the effective date listed in your agreement.

Cancellation: Plans are on a 12-month term. You may cancel within 30 days of your account renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Reliance protection plan cost per month?
Plans range from $9.99/month for furnace or AC maintenance to $66.99/month for the Whole Home Protection Plan. Bundle plans save up to 42% compared to buying individual plans separately. Subscriptions are annual.

Is there a deductible on service calls?
No. There is no deductible, no hidden costs, and no service call fee on any Reliance protection plan.

What is the difference between a maintenance plan and a protection plan?
A maintenance plan includes an annual professional tune-up to help keep your equipment running efficiently. A protection plan covers the cost of eligible repairs when something breaks. Many plans combine both.

What is the difference between the Plumbing Protection Plan and Plumbing Protection Plan Plus?
The basic plan covers repairs like blocked toilets, sinks, and showers, shut-off valves, and toilet tank components. The regular plan adds faucet repair, piping repairs to your humidifier, dishwasher, and refrigerator, outside hose bibs, and mechanical pop-up stoppers.

Does a protection plan cover equipment replacement?
No. Protection plans cover repair costs including parts and labour for eligible components. If your equipment needs full replacement, your technician can discuss purchase or rental options.

Do I need a protection plan if I rent my equipment from Reliance?
No. If you rent your equipment, repair coverage is already included in your rental agreement at no additional cost.

How much can I save by bundling plans?
Bundle savings range from 12% to 42% compared to purchasing individual plans separately. The more systems you cover, the more you save.

Is a Reliance home protection plan worth it?

A protection plan is worth considering if your equipment is past the manufacturer’s warranty period and you want predictable monthly costs. A single furnace motor repair can cost over $2,000. A Heating Protection Plan costs $16.99/month with no deductible and unlimited service calls, which means the plan could pay for itself many times over with one covered repair.

Can I cancel my plan?
Plans are on a 12-month term. You can cancel within 30 days of your renewal date.

How quickly can repairs be done?
Repairs are available as-soon-as same day. Reliance also provides 24/7/365 live phone support to help get service scheduled as quickly as possible.

What is the best home protection plan for Canadian homeowners?