Richmond Water Heater Warranty Guide
Manufactured by Rheem Manufacturing Company · Warranty info last verified: March 2026
Richmond water heaters are manufactured by Rheem Manufacturing Company. This guide covers 3 product lines: the Essential / Entry, Encore / Mid-Tier, and Tankless Gas. Across those lines, tank or heat exchanger coverage climbs from 6 years on the Essential / Entry to 12 years on the Tankless Gas, parts reach 9 years, and labor runs up to 1 year. The warranty stays with the original owner and does not transfer to later owners, registration is required within 60 days of installation, and claims run through 800-432-8373.
Quick Warranty Facts
Tank / H.E. Coverage
6–12 years
Parts Coverage
9 years max
Labor Coverage
1 year
Transferable
No
Extended Warranty
N/A
Registration Required
Yes: within 60 days
Warranty by Product Line
Coverage periods vary by model series. Check your model against the table below.
| Product Line | Tank / H.E. | Parts | Labor |
|---|---|---|---|
Essential / Entry Sold at Home Depot. Entry-level residential line manufactured by Rheem. | 6 yr | 6 yr | 1 yr |
Encore / Mid-Tier Mid-tier residential line sold at Home Depot. | 9 yr | 9 yr | 1 yr |
Tankless Gas 12-year heat exchanger warranty. Manufactured by Rheem. | 12 yr | 5 yr | 1 yr |
How to Register Your Richmond Water Heater
Richmond requires registration within 60 days of installation to activate full coverage on your chosen line (3 are covered here). Missing that 60-day window can reduce your coverage, so complete it right after install.
You will need:
- Serial number (from the rating label)
- Model number
- Installation date
- Installer's name and contact info
- Your name and address
Have these ready before the 60-day Richmond deadline passes.
What's Covered
- Defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential use
- Essential / Entry: 6-year tank coverage, 6-year parts, and 1-year labor
- Encore / Mid-Tier: 9-year tank coverage, 9-year parts, and 1-year labor
- Tankless Gas: 12-year heat exchanger coverage, 5-year parts, and 1-year labor
- Heat exchanger failure on the Tankless Gas
What's NOT Covered
Richmond lists 4 situations that fall outside coverage on its 3 lines:
- Improper installation
- Sediment and scale buildup
- Labor after year one
- Thermal expansion damage without expansion tank
How to File a Richmond Warranty Claim
- 1
Locate serial number on rating label
- 2
Contact Rheem/Richmond customer service at 800-432-8373
- 3
Provide model and serial number
- 4
Work with a licensed service provider for diagnosis and repair
Richmond warranty line: 800-432-8373
Warranty Transferability: No
Warranty is for the original owner at the original installation address. Not transferable.
Bought a home that came with a Richmond unit? Because Richmond coverage stays with the first owner, the remaining warranty probably did not follow the sale to you, even if the calendar time has not expired. To confirm, decode the serial with our free tool for the manufacture date, then call the Richmond line at 800-432-8373 (labor help is limited to 1 year from install).
Additional Notes
Richmond water heaters are manufactured by Rheem and sold at Home Depot. Warranty terms match Rheem standard lines. For warranty service, contact Rheem directly as Richmond does not have a separate support structure.
Related brands with similar warranty terms:
Richmond Warranty FAQ
How many years does the Richmond tank warranty last?
Richmond tank or heat exchanger coverage ranges from 6 to 12 years, from the Essential / Entry up to the Tankless Gas. Parts are covered for up to 9 years and labor for up to 1 year.
Can I transfer a Richmond water heater warranty to a new owner?
No. Richmond warranties are not transferable. Warranty is for the original owner at the original installation address. Not transferable.
How do I check whether my Richmond water heater is still under warranty?
Decode your serial number with our free tool at WaterHeaterChecker.com to find the manufacture date, then compare it against the coverage for your line (Essential / Entry, Encore / Mid-Tier, and Tankless Gas). You can also call Richmond at 800-432-8373 with your serial number.
What voids a Richmond water heater warranty?
Common warranty voiding issues for Richmond include: Improper installation; Sediment and scale buildup; Labor after year one.
Does Richmond sell an extended warranty for the Essential / Entry, Encore / Mid-Tier, and Tankless Gas?
The Essential / Entry, Encore / Mid-Tier, and Tankless Gas carry only the standard Richmond factory warranty shown above; no separate extended plan is listed. Ask about dealer coverage when you call 800-432-8373.
What should I do if my Richmond water heater fails under warranty?
Locate serial number on rating label. Then contact Rheem/Richmond customer service at 800-432-8373. The Richmond warranty line is 800-432-8373.
More for Your Richmond Water Heater
Not sure which of Richmond's 3 lines you have?
Coverage differs across Richmond's lines, so decode your serial number to find the manufacture date and match it to the right 3-line warranty range above.
Decode Your Richmond Serial NumberThe 3 coverage figures shown above were last verified in March 2026 and are provided as a helpful reference only. Warranty terms are set by Richmond and may change at any time. Always refer to the warranty certificate that came with your water heater for the definitive terms of your coverage. WaterHeaterChecker.com is not affiliated with Richmond or Rheem Manufacturing Company.