The Best Water Heater Warranty for Your Home
Looking for information on an extended water heater warranty? In this article, we discuss what an extended water heater warranty is, why you should purchase one for your home and why a home warranty is your best option for extended coverage. By following our guidance, you can put your mind at ease knowing you have a plan in case your water heater breaks down or needs a significant repair*.
In this article:
- What Is a Manufacturer Water Heater Warranty?
- Three Reasons to Purchase an Extended Water Heater Warranty
- Options for an Extended Water Heater Warranty
- Value of a Choice Home Warranty Plan
- Get a Free Quote
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Manufacturer Water Heater Warranty?
Water heaters typically come with manufacturer warranties that cover them for a specified period of time. The amount of time that a water heater is covered under its manufacturer’s warranty depends on the type you purchase and the water heater brand. Gas and electric water heaters may be covered anywhere from 3-12 years, while electric pump and tankless water heaters are typically covered for 10 years.
While a manufacturer water heater warranty is helpful for homeowners, these warranties eventually expire, leaving homeowners responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement as soon as they do. Below are three reasons you should purchase an extended water heater warranty.
Three Reasons to Purchase an Extended Water Heater Warranty
- Manufacturer warranties are not long enough: While 10 to 12 years is a long period of coverage, it often does not outlast the lifespan of the water heater itself. It is common for these items to start degrading or completely fail shortly after the warranty expires. When this happens, homeowners are stuck with high repair or replacement bills that many cannot afford.
- Your warranty may have never been registered: Water heater manufacturers typically give homeowners about 30 days to register their warranty to make it official. If you did not do that or you bought a used home and the last homeowner did not do it, your water heater may not be covered.
- Repairs are expensive: According to HomeAdvisor, a water heater repair can cost as much as $900, and this does not count hiring a plumber, which can easily cost $400 or more. As high as these costs are, replacing the system comes with a price that’s even higher.
Options for an Extended Water Heater Warranty
An extended water heater warranty may be purchased from some manufacturers, department stores and home warranty companies. However, water heater warranties from manufacturers and department stores usually can only be obtained shortly after your water heater purchase.
You can purchase a home warranty at any time to cover your water heater — Choice Home Warranty does not discriminate based on the age of one’s appliances and systems. Furthermore, a home warranty covers a variety of other home items that are very expensive to repair or replace. While protecting a water heater is smart, it is also necessary to cover your home’s air conditioning system, plumbing system and other valuable systems and appliances so that you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars in repair bills on these items.
Value of a Choice Home Warranty Plan
With a home warranty plan from Choice Home Warranty, homeowners don’t have to worry about their hot water heater or many of their other expensive home items breaking down or needing costly repairs. In the table below, you can see that both of Choice Home Warranty’s plans include coverage for hot water heaters and many other items.
There are two types of home warranty costs for homeowners: a monthly premium and a service fee. Choice Home Warranty offers plans starting at about $1 per day and offers nine optional add-on items, as seen in the table below, while service fees only apply when claims are filed.
Choice’s plans are affordable and will be very useful when your water heater or other home item needs a major repair* or replacement***. Homeowners with home warranties can save thousands of dollars when such events inevitably occur.
Get a Free Quote
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, call 732-907-4902 or fill out this simple form.
| Basic Plan | Total Plan | Optional Coverage |
| Heating system | Heating system | Pool/spa |
| Electrical system | Electrical system | Well pump |
| Plumbing system | Plumbing system | Sump pump |
| Plumbing stoppage | Plumbing stoppage | Central vacuum |
| Water heater | Water heater | Limited roof leak |
| Whirlpool bathtub | Whirlpool bathtub | Septic system |
| Cooktop | Cooktop | Second refrigerator |
| Dishwasher | Dishwasher | Stand-alone freezer |
| Oven/range/stove | Oven/range/stove | Septic tank plumbing |
| Built-in microwave | Built-in microwave | |
| Garbage disposal | Garbage disposal | |
| Ductwork | Ductwork | |
| Garage door opener | Garage door opener | |
| Ceiling and exhaust fans | Ceiling and exhaust fans | |
| Air conditioning system | ||
| Refrigerator | ||
| Clothes washer | ||
| Clothes dryer |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the warranty on a hot water heater?
The manufacturer warranty typically lasts somewhere between 3-12 years, while an extended warranty through a home warranty plan will last as long as you own the home warranty.
Are there exclusions to Choice Home Warranty’s water heater coverage?
Yes, you can read about these exclusions in our User Agreement.
How much does it cost to replace a hot water heater?
With a home warranty, replacing a hot water heater for a covered reason only costs $85, the service fee cost for Choice Home Warranty. Without a home warranty, the cost of replacement depends on the type of water heater you purchase and the cost to install it.
Here are some estimates from HomeAdvisor:
| Type | Average Unit Price Range | Installation Cost |
| Standard tank storage | $400-$1,600 | $150-$600 |
| Tankless | $250-$2,500 | $400-$1,500 |
| Hybrid/high efficiency | $700-$3,000 | $150-$600 |
| Solar | $1,000-$6,000 | $2,000-$4,000 |
Is a home warranty worth it?
A home warranty is worth it for most homeowners because it helps them avoid unexpected, expensive repairs in the event that covered home systems and appliances break down.
* Terms and conditions apply. Click Here to view complete limits of liability and any exclusions. CHW offers service contracts which are not warranties.
*** 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.
