Rheem Water Heater Warranty Review (2023)

Rheem is the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America. The company was founded in 1925 in Emeryville, CA, and has won awards for cutting-edge innovations and new product designs. The company stands by its cooling and water heating equipment with warranties that range from six years to a limited lifetime guarantee.

In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team analyzes the fine print of a Rheem water heater warranty to help you understand coverage, pricing, and claims. We aim to educate you about what to expect with this type of warranty, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to protecting your home.

The Rheem line of cooling and water heater products is extensive, and 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

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.

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 are 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.

Because a Rheem water heater warranty is included with the purchase of a new unit, prices will vary. The This Old House Reviews Team did find that adding the ProtectionPlus enhancement kit to a Rheem warranty typically costs between $150–$250 across multiple authorized vendors.

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.

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, 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., BBB

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.

The This Old House Reviews Team recommends American Home Shield for full protection on systems and appliances.

The This Old House Reviews Team recommends American Home Shield as the best home warranty provider for appliance and system protection. AHS offers more comprehensive coverage than a Rheem water heater warranty, as it provides assurance for full-home protection in convenient bundles.

American Home Shield offers homeowners three affordable packages to choose from when seeking a home protection plan: ShieldPlatinum^™, ShieldGold^™, and ShieldSilver^™. You can find water heater coverage under all three plans. In general, AHS plans range between $40 and $58 per month and service fees range between $75 and $125. A higher service fee will result in a lower monthly payment and vice versa.

A home warranty contract from American Home Shield offers additional advantages when compared to a Rheem water heater warranty.

• Provides coverage in 49 states, excluding Alaska
• Dispatches a licensed and trusted service technician for repairs and replacements
• Allows for automatic policy renewal
• Provides dedicated customer service and claims processing 24 hours a day
• Has a simple sign-up process that doesn’t require you to know the model and serial numbers of your equipment

To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 844-529-9298 to talk to a customer service representative.

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.  

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.