Does a home warranty cover water heaters?
Key takeaways:
Your water heater is probably not something you think about a lot until your shower water is cold or your washing machine or dishwasher water doesn’t get hot. Unfortunately, a broken water heater will significantly impact your day-to-day life, and by the time it goes down, it’s usually too late to do anything about it.
Luckily, a home warranty can protect your budget when your water heater needs repair or replacement.
A home warranty is an annual warranty plan that will repair or replace many of your home appliances and systems. While there are some restrictions around home warranty plans, they are a useful tool in protecting your home.
When you purchase a warranty plan, you want to consider the appliances and home systems that you want to be covered as well as the level of coverage.
To help you better gauge the extent of your home warranty’s coverage, this article will address whether a home warranty covers your water heater and some of the most common issues that may warrant repairs or replacements.
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is an annual contract that you have with a home warranty company to cover the cost of repairing and replacing some of the major appliances and built-in systems in your home.
A home warranty plan serves as a contract between you and a home warranty company assuring that the appliances and home systems outlined in the contract will be repaired or replaced by a technician for a small service fee. The coverage generally covers repairs or replacements due to issues from normal wear and tear.
Here are some items that a warranty typically covers:
- Built-in home systems, such as your plumbing, electrical and air conditioning and heating (HVAC)
- Major appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers
- Items like ceiling fans, attic fans, sump pumps and smoke detectors
The coverage of a home warranty plan is different from homeowners insurance, though they act similarly. Homeowners insurance covers accidental damage to your belongings or the structure of your home, but it will not cover repairs or replacement of appliances or home systems that have broken down due to normal wear and tear.
A home warranty is designed to fill the gaps where homeowners insurance, builders warranties and manufacturers water heater warranties don’t apply.
Common water heater problems
If your water heater is unable to sustain the demands of your home, you will want to quickly identify and rectify the problem.
Here are the most common problems that plague water heaters:
No hot water
This is the simplest problem for a water heater and the easiest to detect. You might experience it suddenly when cold water comes out of the showerhead. It usually means that the unit’s heating elements are not heating the water before it is filtered through. Check the pilot light; if it is not on, try turning on the pilot to see if the issue resolves. If the light is on and you are not getting hot water, it’s time to call in an expert.
Water temperature is too high
Perhaps you have learned about this problem the hard way and been scalded by a water heater that is producing water that is too hot. You may be able to mend the problem by changing the temperature on the thermostat. If this does not rectify the problem, you may need a repair or replacement.
Rusty water
If the hot or warm water coming from your taps looks rusty or red in color, then the metal lining your heater may be rusting due to age. You may need a new anode rod, but there are other potential reasons for this issue. A professional technician will be able to assess the sitwwwion and perform a repair or replacement as needed.
Leaking water heater
A leaking water heater is common and may be caused by a faulty or broken drain valve. This may also be caused by condensation, corrosion or other issues. Usually, a leaking water heater is caused by an issue that is beyond your scope and will require a service call.
What Is typically included in home warranty water heater coverage?
The good news is that most standard home warranty plans will cover your water heater.
A warranty will provide you with coverage for all components and parts of your water heater, regardless of if you have a tankless water heater, hot water heater, electric water heater or gas water heater.
However, it is important that your water heater is continually maintained. If anything is not maintained well, then the warranty company may deem the repair or replacement ineligible.
Along with the coverage of the parts and components of your heater, your home protection plan coverage should also include the plumbing system for your home. With this additional coverage, you ensure your home remains comfortable and your budget is protected from most breakdowns that may come your way.
Your home warranty company will give you a set of terms and conditions outlining exactly what is covered by your contract. This contract ensures there is no question about what appliance or system you can have repaired or replaced with a service call.
How should you compare home warranty plans with hot water heater coverage?
The home warranty you choose should be individual to your needs.
When you are shopping for a warranty plan, you want to identify which appliances and systems you need coverage for. Choose a service contract that offers coverage on everything from your electrical system to your plumbing and air conditioning to your refrigerator and microwave.
You may also have special needs for your warranty plan, and a good warranty company will offer add-ons for every budget. Pools, spas, septic systems and more may be added to your warranty plan.
Additionally, excellent customer service and accessibility is a must, as you will need to contact your warranty company in order to place a service request. A warranty company that provides technology that makes the warranty easy to use is also a great choice.
If you are specifically concerned about what your home warranty covers for your water heater, then it is vital that you ask these questions. Only the home warranty company can tell you in which specific scenarios the warranty will apply, what components and parts are covered, and what, if any, exclusions there are.
Best home warranty with service coverage for a water heater
Your water heater is tantamount to the comfort of your home, and that is why it is important for you to take water heater issues seriously. If the problem cannot be resolved by you, calling a service technician to complete the water heater repair is ideal.
If you have a home warranty that covers your water heater, contact your home warranty company, and they will arrange for a technician to repair or replace your appliance.
Cinch Home Services provides excellent home warranty coverage, including coverage on water heaters and their components and parts. They offer plans suited to every budget and multiple ways of making service calls.
Maintaining and repairing your home’s water heater will not only ensure your home is comfortable — with hot showers and ample hot water for laundry and dishes — but it will also save you money on your utility bills by making sure your water heater is running efficiently.
Contact Cinch Home Services today to protect your wallet and your home by securing the best home protection plan for you.
* Subject to plan terms and conditions.
*The information in this blog library is intended to provide general guidance on home warranties, and on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
*Our blog library may link to third-party sites that offer products, services, coaches, consultants, and/or experts. Any such link is provided for reference only and not intended as an endorsement or statement that the information provided by the other party is accurate. We are not compensated for any products or services purchased from these third-party links.