American Water Heater residential water heater warranties offer 6, 9, and 12-year tiers, depending on which tier was purchased. Underlying manufacturer is A.O. Smith (parent company); warranty service may route through that manufacturer.
Warranty terms by tier
| Coverage | 6-year tier | 9-year tier | 12-year tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank leak | 6 years | 9 years | 12 years |
| Parts | 6 years | 9 years | 12 years |
| Labor (in-home service) | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
What's covered
- Tank leak through the wall within rated period — replacement tank shipped to authorized installer at no charge
- Failed elements (electric), thermostats, gas valves, T&P valves within parts-warranty period
- Manufacturing defects in workmanship
What's NOT covered
- Damage from improper installation (no expansion tank, wrong electrical sizing, gas pressure issues)
- Damage from water hardness above 7 grains per gallon without a softener installed
- Freeze damage to tank or piping
- Cosmetic damage from shipping or handling
- Failure from third-party additives, non-OEM parts, or commercial use of a residentially-rated tank
- Consequential water damage to flooring, drywall, contents — covered by homeowner insurance
Filing a American Water Heater warranty claim
- Locate model and serial number on data plate (top of tank or near gas valve)
- Identify manufacture date from serial (encoded in first 4 digits typically)
- Photograph the failure and the data plate
- Contact American Water Heater customer service OR (if A.O. Smith (parent company) handles warranty directly) the underlying manufacturer
- Provide proof of purchase showing original installation address
- Replacement parts or tank ship to authorized installer; in-home labor only within year 1
Critical to remember
- Register the warranty within 60 days of installation — many tiers require registration for full coverage
- Warranty tied to installation address; does not transfer with home sale unless formally transferred
- Save the original receipt — it's required years into a claim
- For warranty parts only, you may pay labor — $80–200 per service call typical