Consumer Warning: Read Your Warranty

When buying a new hot water system, you enter the tricky world of warranties – the fine print, the pitfalls, the foggy areas and the rarer warranties that actually make sense. How do you navigate it?

Too many people get attracted to the word ‘warranty’ but don’t pay attention to the details. So often people are told to ‘read the terms and conditions,’ but fail to do so. However, when it comes to warranties, you really should heed the warning and pay particular attention to the terms and conditions. You might find some dubious things in there.

All that said, it is possible to find a reliable hot water system manufacturer and installer. Read on to learn about finding a good warranty and how you can execute it with a Rheem service agent and dealer.

Terms and Conditions That You Need to Be Aware Of

Remember, warranties aren’t a special benefit that allows you to get a replacement whenever your hot water system stops working. There is a bit more involved.

Warranties deal with manufacturing faults. They protect both the customer and the manufacturer.

Warranties generally do not include issues as a result of:

• Customer neglect or abuse of the hot water system

• Installations where the Owner’s Guide or local regulations are not complied with

• Accidental damage as a result of extreme weather events

• Faulty plumbing or electricity

• General wear and tear

They also don’t include cosmetic defects.

Be aware that:

• Warranties can have different inclusions and exclusions depending on which year it is within the warranty period. Usually this is straightforward but be wary of onerous exclusions.

• Not all warranties cover labour.

• Some warranties require regular maintenance.

• Some warranties exclude certain parts.

How You Can Avoid Warranty Pitfalls

Really, the best way to avoid warranty pitfalls is by reading the terms and conditions. That way, you’ll know everything that is involved. But even then, there might end up being way too many exclusions that it’s just not worth it.

Keep your warranty, which is usually in the Owner’s Guide, somewhere safe and accessible. If you run into any issues with your hot water unit, you can check if it is covered. Some manufacturers, like Rheem, have their warranties for individual products available on their website. But just to be safe, especially if it is an older model with a long warranty, a physical copy is always good to keep.

What Makes a Good Warranty

Like most warranties, a Rheem warranty generally covers faulty parts or hot water units. A good hot water system seller will stand by their product and make sure you have the right parts. Warranties should match the manufacturer’s guarantees.

Whether a hot water unit warranty is good is usually indicated by the length of the warranty. While some hot water units have warranties of five years, some go up to ten years. Certain Rheem products can be even longer! The length of time matters because it shows how much the manufacturer is willing to stand by it. It indicates the level of product quality and that it is made to last. Rheem warranties also involve a free of charge replacement or repair, including the labour costs.

John Salmon, director of Salmon Plumbing and Rheem Accredited Service Agent, says “As a plumber, I want to spend more time plumbing and less time explaining to customers why their warranty no longer applies. And to be fair, it’s not really their fault. There are some really dodgy warranties out there. With so many hot water units flooding the market, some warranties have so many exclusions you might as well not bother. That’s why we work with Rheem and their hot water systems. Their warranties are reliable, straightforward and make sense. I’ve had lots of customers ask about the warranty and actually be able to follow through.”

Rheem Dealer and Service Agent Make Warranties Watertight

The best way to ensure proper warranty benefits is to go with the reliable option from start to finish. That means sale, installation, maintenance, repairs, and replacement. By engaging with a Rheem dealer and service agent, you can get a hot water plumber that stocks and sells Rheem products in addition to installing them.

Whether it is a heat pump system or solar hot water, they:

• Know the warranty inside and out.

• Have Rheem service and technical training.

• Will ensure that installation is done according to Rheem’s policies and local regulations.

• Will help you understand the warranty.

Hopefully, you will never need to use your warranty. But it’s something that is so helpful in case you need it. Get a Rheem dealer and service agent for a recommended and reliable warranty!