Warranty terms

1. Legislation governing warranty, implied warranty and product warranty

• Warranty (jótállás): Act V of 2013 on the Hungarian Civil Code (“Ptk.”), Sections 6:171–173; Government Decree 151/2003 (IX. 22.) on the mandatory warranty for certain durable consumer goods; NGM Decree 19/2014 (IV. 29.) on the procedural rules for handling warranty and guarantee claims relating to goods sold under a contract between a consumer and a business (“NGM Decree”).
• Implied warranty (kellékszavatosság): Ptk. Sections 6:159–167; NGM Decree.
• Product warranty (termékszavatosság): Ptk. Sections 6:168–170; NGM Decree.

The duration of the mandatory warranty to be provided by the Distributor under Government Decree 151/2003 (IX. 22.) — for the new durable consumer goods defined therein — is:

• one year for consumer goods with a sale price of at least HUF 10,000 but not exceeding HUF 100,000,
• two years for consumer goods with a sale price exceeding HUF 100,000 but not exceeding HUF 250,000,
• three years for consumer goods with a sale price exceeding HUF 250,000.

2. Warranty conditions

For Trident, Folansi air-to-water and Folansi water-to-water heat pumps — within the scope of the mandatory warranty — a 3-year full warranty is provided through the Distributor or the Distributor’s contracted subcontractor service partners. In addition, the Distributor provides an extra 2 years of warranty on the compressor of Trident air-to-water heat pumps.

If the end user has the product commissioned more than six months after the date of purchase, the warranty period starts on the date of purchase of the product; otherwise it starts on the date of commissioning.

Commissioning of the heat pumps

• Commissioning may only be carried out by a person holding an F-gas certificate who meets the requirements set out in Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council and in Hungarian Government Decree 14/2015 (II.10.), and who is registered with the Hungarian National Climate Protection Authority (Nemzeti Klímavédelmi Hatóság).
• It may be carried out by Trident or a contracted subcontractor service partner of Trident Kft., in accordance with the specifications of Trident Kft.
• A further basic condition for heat pumps is maintenance at least once a year. A maintenance report is drawn up on every occasion, one copy of which is handed over to the end user. The absence of the maintenance report may result in the termination of the warranty.

3. Installation conditions

3.1. Air-to-water heat pumps

If the heat pump is not installed by Trident Kft., it is the responsibility of the installing company to ensure adequate water-side and air-side flow rates for the air-to-water heat pump, in accordance with the installation manual or the product data sheet on the website. Insufficient flow rates may cause reduced performance, system faults, breakdowns or a shortened service life of the heat pump.

All electrical, refrigerant-circuit and water-side connections must comply with the applicable legislation and the installation instructions issued by Trident Kft. Failure to do so may render the warranty void. In all cases, the pipes and lines connected to the system must be insulated to an adequate standard.

Minimum conditions for the validity of the warranty for air-to-water heat pumps:

• A magnetic filter and a Y-strainer must be installed in the return line of the heat pump;
• The pressure of the water circuit must be between 1.1 and 1.8 bar;
• A safety valve and an expansion tank must be installed in the water circuit (if these mechanical components are not included in the unit);
• The requirements for minimum water volume and mass flow must be ensured under all circumstances;
• Depending on the system, a buffer tank may be required, the size/design of which is determined by the mechanical designer/installer;
• System water quality: pH between 6.5–8, hardness [Ca+, Mg+] sulphate >0.5; sulphate content: max. 100 mg/litre and hydrogen carbonate/sulphate > 1; chloride content: max. 50 mg/litre; nitrate content: max. 100 mg/litre; chlorine/sulphate combined: max. 100 mg/litre.

Frost protection

Every air-to-water heat pump sold by Trident has an automatic frost protection program. The use of antifreeze is optional for monoblock air-to-water heat pumps and not required for split air-to-water heat pumps. In locations with a stable power supply, the heat pump’s automatic frost protection system is sufficient. Even in this case, however, it is advisable to install an automatic frost protection valve in the outdoor water circuit.

In all cases where frost protection may be required due to the location or the use of the premises (farmstead, holiday home), frost protection must be provided. In such cases, either the entire water circuit can be filled with antifreeze, or the heat pump can be separated with a heat exchanger, which must be filled with antifreeze. The appropriate dilution must be ensured according to the expected climatic conditions (min. 30% glycol). Overdosing with antifreeze may cause premature failure. The freezing point of the antifreeze must be checked at every annual maintenance.

3.2. Water-to-water heat pumps

If the heat pump is not installed by Trident Kft., it is the responsibility of the installing company to ensure adequate primary- and secondary-side flow rates for the water-to-water heat pump, in accordance with the installation manual or the product data sheet on the website. Insufficient flow rates may cause reduced performance, system faults, breakdowns or a shortened service life of the heat pump.

Minimum conditions for the validity of the warranty for water-to-water heat pumps:

• A Y-strainer and a water filter are required in the primary-circuit supply line;
• Separation of the groundwater with a heat exchanger is required wherever groundwater contamination is high;
• A magnetic filter and a Y-strainer must be installed in the secondary-circuit return line of the heat pump;
• The pressure of the water circuit must be between 1.1 and 1.8 bar;
• If heat-exchanger separation is required in the primary circuit (groundwater circuit), an expansion tank and a safety valve must be installed in this line;
• A safety valve and an expansion tank must be installed in the secondary circuit (water circuit);
• The requirements for minimum water volume and mass flow must be observed;
• The installation of a buffer tank is mandatory, the size/design of which is determined by the mechanical designer/installer;
• Water quality (as in 3.1): pH 6.5–8, hardness [Ca+, Mg+] sulphate >0.5; sulphate max. 100 mg/l; hydrogen carbonate/sulphate > 1; chloride max. 50 mg/l; nitrate max. 100 mg/l; chlorine/sulphate combined max. 100 mg/l.

3.3. Ground-source (brine-to-water) heat pumps

If the heat pump is not installed by Trident Kft., it is the responsibility of the installing company to ensure adequate primary- and secondary-side flow rates in accordance with the installation manual and the product data sheet. The electrical, refrigerant-circuit and water-side connections must comply with the applicable legislation and the installation instructions of Trident Kft. — otherwise the warranty may become void.

Minimum conditions for the validity of the warranty for ground-source heat pumps:

• A Y-strainer and a water filter are required in the primary-circuit supply line;
• An expansion tank and a safety valve must be installed in the primary circuit (borehole/ground collector circuit);
• The primary circuit must be filled with antifreeze (min. 30% glycol);
• A magnetic filter and a Y-strainer are required in the secondary-circuit return line;
• The pressure of the water circuit must be between 1.1 and 1.8 bar;
• A safety valve and an expansion tank must be installed in the secondary circuit;
• The installation of a buffer tank is mandatory;
• Water quality (as in 3.1).

4. Responsibilities

The Distributor does not provide a system warranty for the air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps it sells, except where the heat pump system was installed by Trident Kft. In all other cases, the system warranty must be provided by the contractor or installer — shared with the designer of the mechanical system.

Trident reserves the right to refuse repair or commissioning work due to improper installation, and to charge the end user for the call-out and the cost of the work interrupted as a result.

4.1. Cases outside the warranty obligation

The warranty only covers equipment installed, commissioned or repaired by Trident or a partner approved by Trident. The Distributor accepts no responsibility for piping, fittings or auxiliary equipment not supplied by the Distributor.

Trident accepts no liability for direct or consequential damages — including loss of profit — arising from the faulty operation of the product or from delays in its repair or replacement.

Trident Kft. does not provide warranty in the following cases:

• Incomplete or misleading warranty card (unless another authentic document proves the purchase);
• Replacement or maintenance of wearing and rotating parts has been omitted (filters, pumps, fuses, anodes, etc.);
• Damage caused by installation/maintenance carried out by a person without an F-gas certificate or by a partner not approved by Trident;
• Damage caused by contamination, dust or other substances (e.g. component failure caused by limescale);
• Damage caused by parts supplied by third parties;
• Environmental effects (rust, lack of electrical insulation);
• Incorrect selection, mounting or improper installation;
• Visible defects that do not affect operation (unless transport damage can be proven);
• Improper use or intentional damage (contaminated refrigerant, non-approved fluids);
• Incorrect or unstable power supply (generator, overcurrent, missing electrical safety);
• Use contrary to Trident’s recommendations or other than the intended use;
• Vandalism or damage caused by animals (e.g. chewed-through cables);
• Natural events: storms, frost, corrosion, lightning, overvoltage, earthquake, hail, flood, explosion, fire, acts of war, terrorism, etc.

5. Maintenance obligation

The validity of the warranty is closely linked to the regular maintenance of the heat pump. Failure to do so may result in the loss of the warranty. Maintenance must be carried out at least once a year by Trident Kft. or a contracted service partner of Trident.

The maintenance process includes the following activities:

• Checking the refrigerant-circuit parameters and any leaks;
• Checking the condition of the control system and hydraulic components;
• Checking the water quality and, where necessary, the antifreeze fluid;
• Cleaning the filters, dirt separators and fins;
• Checking the mechanical components and repairing them where necessary.

6. Extended warranty

We offer a full extended warranty for heat pumps sold, installed, commissioned and maintained by Trident Kft. The installation of a heat pump involves a number of important tasks: building the heating centre, installing a buffer tank, installing appropriately sized pumps, building a pipe network with sufficient cross-sections, modernising/converting the heating system, and installing optimal heat emitters.

Conditions of the extended warranty:

• The heat pump was sold by Trident Kft.;
• The heat pump was fitted, installed and commissioned by Trident Kft.;
• Conclusion of a regular annual maintenance contract;
• Retention of the worksheets and invoices confirming the annual maintenance.

Duration of the extended warranty:

• Folansi air-to-water heat pumps: 3 + 2 years
• Folansi water-to-water (geothermal) heat pumps: 3 + 3 years
• Trident air-to-water heat pumps: 3 + 7 years

Note: The warranty period for the compressor of the heat pumps is 5 years. This is likewise subject to compliance with the maintenance obligation described in Section 5.

The extended warranty cannot be claimed if:

• Commissioning was not carried out by Trident Kft. or a contracted service partner;
• Any of the cases listed in Section 4.1 applies;
• Repairs or modifications are carried out by an unauthorised company/service;
• The customer has outstanding invoices;
• The mandatory annual maintenance is omitted or is not documented.

7. Other conditions

The rights arising from the product warranty may only be exercised by the owner if they qualify as a consumer (Ptk. Section 8:1 (1) point 3). The proof of purchase must be presented. To claim the warranty, the warranty card or the product details, the date of purchase and the payment receipt are also required. The defect must be reported without delay after its discovery.

Based on the consumer’s warranty claim, the consumer may primarily request repair or replacement, at their own choice. If fulfilling the chosen claim is impossible or would result in disproportionate additional costs, the consumer may choose between a price reduction, repair by a service approved by Trident, or withdrawal from the contract. Withdrawal is not possible in the case of a minor defect.

The repair or replacement is carried out, where possible, within 15 days. If this is not possible, the consumer is informed of the expected duration. If the consumer goods have been affected by replacement or repair, the warranty claim starts anew for the part concerned.

If, during the first repair within the warranty period, Trident establishes that the consumer goods cannot be repaired, and the consumer has not instructed otherwise, we will replace them within 8 days. If replacement is not possible, we will refund the purchase price paid within 8 days.

If the repair is not carried out by the 30th day from the notification of the repair claim, and the consumer has not instructed otherwise, we will replace the goods within 8 days or, if replacement is not possible, refund the purchase price.

In the event of a legal dispute, the end user may initiate the procedure of the conciliation board operated by the county (metropolitan) chambers of commerce and industry. This warranty does not affect the consumer’s other rights — in particular the rights under the implied warranty and the product warranty, as well as rights to damages — provided by law.

The commissioning and configuration of the product are not part of the obligations under the warranty; these can be ordered for a separate fee. The warranty card may also be provided electronically. In the event of a complaint, the consumer may contact the Distributor or a conciliation board.