Water Heater Warranty Guide
Compare warranty coverage by brand and find out if your water heater is still covered.
Check Your Warranty StatusBrand-by-Brand Warranty Comparison
Click any column header to sort. "View Details" opens the full brand warranty page.
| A.O. Smith | 6–15 years | View Details | |
| American Standard | 6–10 years | View Details | |
| American Water Heater | 6–12 years | View Details | |
| Bosch | 7–15 years | View Details | |
| Bradford White | 6–12 years | View Details | |
| Craftmaster | 6–12 years | View Details | |
| Envirotemp | 6 years | View Details | |
| General Electric (GE) | 6–10 years | View Details | |
| Kenmore | 9–12 years | View Details | |
| Lochinvar | 6–10 years | View Details | |
| Marathon | Lifetime | View Details | |
| Navien | 10–15 years | View Details | |
| Noritz | 12 years | View Details | |
| Reliance | 6–12 years | View Details | |
| Rheem | 5–12 yr + Lifetime option | View Details | |
| Richmond | 6–12 years | View Details | |
| Rinnai | 10–12 years | View Details | |
| Ruud | 6–12 years | View Details | |
| State | 6–10 years | View Details | |
| Takagi | 10–15 years | View Details | |
| Whirlpool | 6–12 years | View Details |
Tank/H.E. = Tank warranty for storage units, heat exchanger for tankless. Years shown are the maximum available for each brand. Verify terms with the manufacturer.
Understanding Water Heater Warranties
Water heater warranties have three distinct components, and most homeowners only know about one of them.
Common misconception: A "6-year warranty" does NOT mean everything is covered for 6 years. Labor is typically only covered for the first year.
What Can Void Your Warranty
- Improper installation or failure to meet local codes
- Failure to register within the required window (Rheem: 60 days, Rinnai: 90 days)
- Missing expansion tank in closed plumbing systems
- Skipping maintenance (anode rod, annual flushing for tankless)
- Unauthorized modifications or non-approved third-party parts
- Using a residential unit in a commercial setting
- Water quality issues: sediment or scale buildup
Warranty Transferability
Most major brands, including Rheem, A.O. Smith, and Rinnai, do NOT transfer their warranties to new homeowners. When you buy a house, you typically do not inherit the previous owner's warranty.
Bradford White is the notable exception. Their warranties transfer to subsequent owners as long as the unit stays at its original installation address, making it especially valuable for home buyers.
Marathon (Rheem) also offers transferable lifetime tank coverage due to the nature of the non-corrosive plastic tank.
If you just bought a home with an existing water heater, check the age and consider a home warranty plan if the manufacturer warranty does not transfer.
How to Check If You're Still Under Warranty
- 1Find your brand name and serial number on the rating label (usually on the front or side of the unit)
- 2Use our free age checker to determine your manufacture date from the serial number
- 3Compare the age to the warranty period for your brand and model line
- 4Register your product if you haven't already. Some brands require registration for full coverage.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a helpful reference only. Warranty terms are set by the manufacturer and may change. 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 any water heater manufacturer.