Service agreement? How much is that a year?? At the cost of these things, they ought to service them forever!! If it's a fault of theirs, sure they will work something out. I'm reading and learning-thanks for your post! Sorry this had to happen to you. I'm hoping we won't have this heat strip problem since it rarely gets very cold here. I'm positive the pond will never freeze!! I've always dreamed of a frozen pond growing up to ice skate on!