Rheem Water Heater Warranty Review

A broken water heater can wreak havoc on your day, week, or even month. Your dishwasher can’t use hot water, and your showers run cold. For owners of Rheem and Ruud water heaters, a limited warranty can fall short for these durable products that won’t need repairs until later in their lifespan.

With a home warranty, you can protect your Rheem water heater for years to come. In this guide, we break down the benefits of a home warranty, with Choice Home Warranty as our top recommendation for a Rheem water heater warranty.

For a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out an online form or call 929-400-6164.

About Rheem water heaters

Rheem and its subsidiary company Ruud sell a range of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment, water heaters, and pool/spa heaters. Their catalog of water heaters includes:

• Storage tank water heaters—Storage water heaters continuously heat 20–80 gallons of water in a reservoir or tank. The heating elements can be fueled by natural gas, electricity, or oil. Rheem offers the gas and electricity versions.
• Hybrid water heaters—Also called a “heat-pump” water heater, these units pull heat from surrounding air into the water heater.
• Tankless water heaters—This style of water heater lacks a storage tank or reservoir. Rheem tankless water heaters use gas or electricity to heat water on demand, rather than storing warm water in a tank.
• Solar water heaters—These water heaters use the sun to fuel solar-powered heating elements.

Rheem currently has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, and it has a long reputation in the industry as a trustworthy brand with excellent customer service.

Rheem water heater warranty

All purchased Rheem or Ruud products come with a Certificate of Limited Warranty that lists the product warranty details.

You can also register your product to access additional Rheem water tank warranty information and learn about extended warranty options. For warranty registration, you need the model and serial number.

Rheem and Ruud residential water heaters come with varying levels of coverage. A water heater can have a limited warranty for anywhere from five to 12 years. In some cases, labor is covered for a few years within the warranty. Rheem also offers extended warranties under a Protection Plus plan that extends protection for an additional four years.

But what if you sell your home? A Rheem warranty is transferable to the new owners. You can transfer your warranty with a small charge of $25 within 30 days of the closing date.

Common water heater repairs and costs

Though Rheem water heaters are quite durable, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to problems. In fact, a few years ago, Rheem Performance Platinum electric water heaters were recalled after their control panels created fire and burn hazards from overheating.

Water heater failure and its indirect consequences can cost $4,444 per incident on average, and it is one of the top five sources of residential water damage. A typical water heater repair costs about $546, while a replacement costs an average of $1,065. Neglecting to repair or replace parts that are damaged or functioning poorly can lead to more severe problems down the road.

Protect your water heater with a home warranty

A home warranty is similar to an extended service warranty that some manufacturers offer to their customers. Unlike a manufacturer’s warranty, however, a home warranty is a bundle plan that protects several appliances and home systems at once.

It might not seem like there is a big difference when it comes to a water heater warranty, but home warranties have many hidden benefits.

• Home warranties cover parts and labor on all repairs, while some manufacturer warranties only cover labor for a portion of the warranty.
• Home warranties are always transferable.
• You don’t have to register each appliance individually under a home warranty, as you would with multiple manufacturer warranties.

A home warranty can be a good alternative to the Rheem water heater warranty if you own an older home with other aging appliances that you would like to cover in conjunction with your water heater.

House Method’s top-rated warranty pick: Choice Home Warranty

Home warranties from Choice Home Warranty cover your Rheem water heater, whether it’s old or new. You can choose from two plans and supplement your coverage with optional add-ons.

The following are covered items for each plan.*

Choice Home Warranty water heater coverage and exclusions

Choice Home Warranty offers customers a sample contract so that you can get an idea of what’s included and excluded in a typical plan.

In general, home warranties do not cover appliances or home systems that have pre-existing conditions. A home warranty is meant as a safety net for future repairs caused by normal wear and tear. In addition, Choice Home Warranty does not cover appliances that are already protected under a manufacturer’s warranty.

More specifically, gas and electric storage tank water heaters are the only Rheem or Ruud water heaters covered by Choice Home Warranty. This rules out commercial water heaters, tankless water heaters, and solar water heaters.

Make sure to read the contract for your specific plan or contact Choice Home Warranty to see if your water heater or water heater component is covered by their home warranty.

Perks of Choice Home Warranty

Why do we choose Choice Home Warranty as the leader in home warranty service?

• Competitive pricing—The Basic Plan costs as little as $1 per day, meaning you’ll get protection for a more reasonable price than many other competitors.
• 24/7 customer service—Expert support is available around the clock, so you’re always heard. Plus, the support team will take care of finding a pre-screened technician with trusted credentials.
• Speed—A professional will take care of your claim within 48 hours (extra days may apply for weekends).**
• Easy enrollment—You are not required to get a home inspection to enroll in their home warranty program.
• Easy claim process—You can file a claim online at your convenience.
• Positive reputation—With a decade in the industry, it’s consistently named one of America’s fastest growing companies by Inc. 5000.

Additional home warranty providers to consider

*Terms and conditions apply. Review complete limits of liability and any exclusions. CHW offers service contracts which are not warranties.
**See policy for specifics on response times.
***CHW reserves the right to offer cash back in lieu of repair or replacement in the amount of CHW’s actual cost (which at times may be less than retail) to repair or replace any covered system, component or appliance.
****In the event a claim is denied, and a customer seeks to have Us review that denial, We have the right to request routine maintenance records in reviewing its decision.