Water Heater Warranties Explained
What a manufacturer warranty covers, what it excludes, and why the labor to fit a free part is a separate question.
Call Now — (717) 470-0340
What Does a Water Heater Warranty Actually Cover?
A manufacturer limited warranty covers the tank and the parts for stated periods, and it supplies a replacement heater or part rather than paying for the work of fitting it.
A.O. Smith states the position plainly in its residential gas warranty: “UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, THE WARRANTOR WILL PROVIDE ONLY A REPLACEMENT WATER HEATER OR PART THEREOF.” The same document lists what the owner pays for, including “Labor charges for service, removal, or reinstallation of the water heater or part thereof” and shipping and delivery charges. Source: A. O. Smith Residential Gas Warranty, accessed 2026-09-23.
Bradford White puts it in its own terms under a heading of what the company will not do: it will not “Reimburse any costs associated with repair and/or replacement.” Source: Bradford White Residential Limited Warranty, accessed 2026-09-23.
That is the single most useful thing to understand before a claim: a covered part can still arrive with a bill for the visit that fits it.
Why Are the Tank and the Parts Covered for Different Lengths of Time?
Because manufacturers treat the vessel and the components as separate risks, and publish a period for each.
Bradford White’s residential warranty states that its limited glass lined tank warranty period “can be 1, 6, 8 or 10 years from the date of installation,” while the limited parts warranty runs 6 years from installation, subject to exceptions in its chart. The period runs “from date of installation (or without proof of installation, from three (3) months after the date of manufacture).”
That last clause is why the paperwork matters. A.O. Smith is explicit about it: “PROOF-OF-PURCHASE AND PROOF-OF-INSTALLATION DATE ARE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT WARRANTY CLAIM FROM ORIGINAL OWNER.”
Does a Water Heater Warranty Transfer to the Next Owner?
It depends entirely on the manufacturer, and the two major tank brands we service take opposite positions.
A.O. Smith’s residential gas warranty states that it “IS APPLICABLE TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER ONLY” and that it “is not transferrable.” Bradford White’s warranty states that it “extends to the first buyer and to any subsequent owner(s) as long as the water heater remains installed at its original place of installation.”
If you bought a house with the water heater already in it, that difference decides whether you have any manufacturer cover at all. The brand-specific terms sit on A.O. Smith Water Heater Repair in Harrisburg, PA and Bradford White Water Heater Repair in Harrisburg, PA.
What Puts a Water Heater Outside Its Warranty?
Installation that breaks local code, a missing or incorrect relief valve, a closed system with no expansion control, non-residential use, and operation contrary to the manufacturer’s written instructions.
Bradford White’s warranty lists defective installation, including installation made “in violation of applicable federal, state, provincial or local codes,” installation without the temperature and pressure relief valve its terms require, and installation “in a closed system without provisions to manage thermal expansion.” It also names operation or maintenance contrary to the written instructions, and “removal of the anode rod (except for inspection and/or replacement).”
Two of those connect directly to jobs we quote as ordinary work: expansion control, covered on Expansion Tank Installation in Harrisburg, PA, and the anode rod, covered on Anode Rod Replacement in Harrisburg, PA. Both are ordinary service items, and both appear in that warranty’s exclusions.
What Do You Need in Hand to Make a Warranty Claim?
The model and serial number, the proof of purchase, and the installation date.
Bradford White states that it will not replace or repair a water heater “without complete model/serial number,” and its guidance to owners is to retain bills of sale or receipts as proof of installation and to contact a professional installer or the manufacturer as soon as a problem is noticed.
Keep the paperwork with the unit rather than in a drawer somewhere. A photograph of the rating plate taken on installation day answers most of these questions years later.
A manufacturer warranty and a contractor’s own labor coverage are two different things. Ask any contractor what their labor terms are before work starts; the questions worth asking are set out in How to Choose a Water Heater Contractor in Harrisburg, PA. What a visit itself involves is on Water Heater Cost in Harrisburg, PA, and new installations are covered on Water Heater Installation in Harrisburg, PA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Heater Warranties
Does a water heater warranty cover labor?
Not in the warranties checked for this guide. A.O. Smith states its limited warranty provides only a replacement water heater or part, and lists labor charges for service, removal or reinstallation among the owner responsibilities.
How long is a water heater warranty?
It varies by model. Bradford White states that its limited glass lined tank warranty period can be 1, 6, 8 or 10 years from the date of installation, with a limited parts warranty of 6 years, subject to exceptions in its chart.
Does the warranty transfer if I buy a house with the water heater already installed?
That depends on the brand. A.O. Smith states its residential gas warranty applies to the original owner only and is not transferrable. Bradford White states its warranty extends to subsequent owners while the heater remains at its original place of installation.
Can a bad installation void a water heater warranty?
Yes. Bradford White lists defective installation, including installation in violation of applicable codes, installation without the relief valve its terms require, or installation in a closed system without provisions to manage thermal expansion.
What do I need to make a water heater warranty claim?
The complete model and serial number, proof of purchase and the installation date. Bradford White states it will not replace or repair a heater without a complete model and serial number.
Is a worn anode rod a warranty claim?
No. An anode rod is consumed by design as it protects the tank, and manufacturers treat its consumption as maintenance rather than a defect. Bradford White also excludes removal of the anode rod except for inspection or replacement.
Not Sure What Your Warranty Covers?
Have the model and serial number from the rating plate ready when you call, and we will tell you what the visit involves either way.
Call for Service — (717) 470-0340