Rheem is a leader in the water heating industry. Founded in 1925 in Emeryville, California, the company has a large product lineup that includes tank, tankless, and hybrid water heaters. Rheem stands by its products with limited warranties that range from six years to a limited lifetime guarantee. Rheem also offers water heaters designed for easy installation to help you avoid high installation costs.
This review walks through Rheem’s warranty options, including their coverage, costs, and terms. We aim to help you understand what’s covered—and what isn’t—so you can make an informed decision about your water heater warranty.
The Rheem line of cooling and water heater products is extensive. For example, it offers tankless water heaters in addition to standard gas units. Different models come with varying levels of coverage. Here’s what you can expect from the manufacturer for its equipment classes, which include gas, electric, and tankless water heater units.
Rheem Water Heater Warranty Coverage
| Series | Length of Warranty | ProtectionPlus Upgrade Extension Length |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | 6-year limited tank and parts | 10-year tank warranty |
| Classic Plus | 8-years limited tank and parts | 12-year tank warranty |
| Prestige | 12-year limited tank and parts | N/A |
| Marathon | 6-year limited parts and lifetime tank warranty | N/A |
To obtain the ProtectionPlus option for a Rheem water heater, you’ll have to contact a team of independent professionals to install an upgrade kit to your unit. Note: the internal enhancement components must be connected during the initial installation.
What Are the Coverage Specifics and Limitations?
To ensure your Rheem water heater warranty is activated after a new unit is installed, the company requires that the model be registered within 60 days of installation. This process can be easily completed by visiting the Rheem Product Registration webpage.
To register, you must submit your model number and serial number and answer questions to ensure the unit will be used residentially. You can locate any pertinent information you need by finding the label on your system that contains the model and serial number information. Typically, this information is on the tank or the right-hand side panel of a Rheem tankless water heater.
Once registered, your new hot water heater will be protected against defects in materials and workmanship. Parts that fail due to regular use and service will be repaired or replaced by a team of independent professionals who represent Rheem.
Here are a few exclusions that aren’t covered by a Rheem water heater warranty:
- Damages, malfunctions, or failures caused by misuse or improper installation are not covered.
- Equipment that’s not installed by a licensed HVAC professional as per applicable codes and ordinances is excluded.
- If third-party accessories aren’t approved by the manufacturer, the Rheem hot water heater warranty is void.
The Certificate of Limited Warranty also highlights that the warranty does not cover any shipping costs, the expenses of labor or fees for service, or the removal or installation of new parts. However, you can receive coverage for labor costs with a ProtectionPlus upgrade.
How Much Does a Rheem Water Heater Warranty Cost?
Because a Rheem water heater warranty is included with the purchase of a new unit, prices will vary. We did find that adding the ProtectionPlus enhancement kit to a Rheem warranty typically costs between $150 and $250 across multiple authorized vendors.
How To Make a Claim on Your Water Heater
Making a claim on a Rheem water heater requires prompt action to discuss a malfunction with the installing contractor or distributor. The manufacturer states in its Certificate of Limited Warranty that if the installer is unavailable, you may contact any local dealer who handles its products for warranty service.
If you need help to find a professional in your area, contact Rheem for assistance.
Rheem Water Heater Warranty Reviews
Rheem currently has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has a long reputation in the industry as a trustworthy brand. Because Rheem has been around for so long, the company has a mix of positive and negative customer reviews.
Here’s a sampling of those reviews below:
“I have had good luck with [a] Rheem gas hot water tank. I bought it 23 years ago, installed it myself, and it is still going.” — Gerald, via Consumer Affairs
“Rheem water heater warranties are essentially worthless. The time required to leave a failed water heater in place to qualify for compensation is several days at a minimum; no reputable landlord would subject residents to lack of hot water for that long. In reality, the entire water heater must be replaced ASAP; that makes it impossible to obtain a benefit from the warranty.” — Steve J., via BBB
Our Final Take On Rheem’s Water Heater Warranty
Though a Rheem water heater warranty will provide coverage for a short period, the manufacturer warranty is bound to expire and leave you without coverage. Water heater failure can cost thousands of dollars, and neglecting to repair or replace essential parts that are damaged or functioning improperly can lead to even more severe problems in the future.
To ensure your water heater is protected once your Rheem water heater warranty expires, consider investing in a home warranty plan. A home warranty protects major home systems and appliances, including your water heater, when they break down due to normal wear and tear. For a comprehensive understanding of these service contracts, read our article on the basics of home warranty plans.
What Is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a service agreement that helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing major home systems and appliances when they break down due to normal wear and tear. Unlike homeowners insurance, which covers damage from events like fire or natural disasters, a home warranty focuses on maintaining the functionality of essential household appliances and systems.
Most home warranty plans include coverage for major systems such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. Many also cover appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and washing machines. However, coverage varies by provider and plan, so it’s important to review the residential service contract carefully. Some warranties offer optional add-ons to customize your coverage even further.
Note that home warranties typically have coverage limits and exclusions. Many plans do not cover preexisting conditions, cosmetic damages, or issues caused by improper maintenance. Additionally, service call fees apply each time the provider dispatches a technician for repairs. In addition, coverage caps may limit how much the provider will pay for a replacement or repair. To make the most of a home warranty, homeowners should understand the terms and conditions of their plan, keep up with routine maintenance, and ensure that they file their claims properly. When buying a home warranty plan, compare different providers, their coverage options, and customer reviews to find the best fit for your home’s needs.
How To Choose a Home Warranty Plan
Selecting the best home warranty plan ensures your essential systems and appliances stay protected without unnecessary costs. Consider the following key factors when evaluating your options:
- Claim process and response time: Review how quickly providers process claims and dispatch service technicians for repairs.
- Coverage options: Choose a plan that includes the systems and appliances you need protection for, such as HVAC, plumbing, or kitchen appliances.
- Exclusions and limitations: Read a provider’s sample contract to understand coverage caps, service fees, and any exclusions that might affect claims.
- Flexibility and add-ons: Look for providers that offer customizable plans or optional coverage for items like pools, septic systems, and garage door openers.
- Provider reputation: Research customer reviews and ratings to find a company with strong customer service and a track record of honoring claims.
- Service fees and costs: Compare home warranty plan costs and service call fees to ensure they align with your budget and coverage needs.
FAQs About Rheem Water Heater Warranties
How long does a Rheem water heater warranty last?
It strictly depends on the type of water heater you purchased and if you opted for the ProtectionPlus extension. Product warranties vary from six years to limited lifetime for tanks and parts.
Is my Rheem water heater under warranty?
To find out if your Rheem water heater warranty is active, you can compare the information provided in your product’s user manual with the installation date.
How does a Rheem water heater warranty work?
When you experience problems with your Rheem water heater, the easiest way to find a professional for repair is by contacting the company that installed the unit. If you’re unsure of who handles Rheem warranties in your area, fill out a claim form from the manufacturer’s website to find a local team of independent professionals to address the malfunction.
What do I do if my warranty expires?
When your Rheem water heater warranty expires, you have two options to continue coverage:
- Buy a new unit to restart the warranty.
- Purchase a home warranty contract for comprehensive coverage for systems throughout the home.
Our Rating Methodology
We use a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each home warranty company we review. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and running focus groups and homeowner surveys.
We use this information to score each provider in six comparison categories that we think are most important when choosing a home warranty. We rate each provider across 23 factors within those categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (35%): This category looks at how comprehensive each provider’s coverage is, including whether it covers unique items. Companies that cover the most items and have higher annual limits received the highest scores. We docked points from providers that impose long waiting periods or have depreciation policies that decrease your payouts for aging items.
- Cost (20%): We looked at average monthly prices and service call fees. We gave the most points to companies offering pricing at or below the industry average that don’t impose any surcharges or extra fees.
- Trustworthiness (15%): To gauge reputation and reliability, we reviewed customer ratings across sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, as well as companies’ responses to complaints. We also checked for National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) membership. Providers with the highest ratings and longest workmanship guarantees received higher scores. We deducted points for any ongoing legal issues.
- Plan transparency (10%): We read terms, policies, and disclosures in provided contracts and on each company’s website. Providers with transparent contract details and policies received more points.
- Customer support (10%): Companies with multiple claims filing options, fast response times, and accessible customer support scored well in this category.
- Flexibility (10%): We awarded more points to providers offering more plan options, larger add-on catalogs, the ability to choose your own technician, and customer-friendly cancellation policies.
