Bradford White residential water heater warranties run 6 years standard on Defender / ICON / RG-series tanks (with a 10-year upgrade kit available through Bradford White-network dealers), 6 years on AeroTherm heat pump, and 15 years on the Infiniti GR tankless heat exchanger. The brand's argument: tank-longevity reputation makes the shorter on-paper warranty academic — Bradford White tanks routinely run 15-18 years.
Quick warranty lookup
You need the model number and serial number from the data plate, plus the date code (see our Bradford White date code page). Then:
- Online lookup: bradfordwhite.com / warranty section — registered units appear in their lookup tool
- Phone: 1-800-334-3393 — Bradford White residential warranty service
- Through your installer: Bradford White-network plumbers have direct distributor access for warranty claims and parts
Warranty by tier
| Tier | Tank | Parts |
|---|---|---|
| Defender Safety System | 6 years (10-yr upgrade) | 6 years |
| ICON System | 6 years (10-yr upgrade) | 6 years |
| Eco-Defender Ultra Low NOx | 6 years | 6 years |
| RG-series legacy atmospheric | 6 years | 6 years |
| M-I standard electric | 6 years | 6 years |
| AeroTherm Heat Pump | 6 years | 6 years |
| Infiniti GR Tankless | 15-year heat exchanger | 5 years |
| ProMagnum commercial | 3 years | 1 year |
Registering a new Bradford White
Bradford White warranty activation requires registration. Unregistered units default to a 6-year baseline (which happens to equal most of the tiered warranties — but registration is still required for warranty processing). The 10-year upgrade kit must be purchased and registered separately by the installing plumber.
Filing a warranty claim
- Confirm coverage via the lookup tool or installer
- Identify the failed part — photograph the data plate
- Call 1-800-334-3393 OR contact your installing plumber (faster — they have direct distributor access)
- Receive RMA / part replacement authorization
- Schedule labor — parts only on residential warranties
Bradford White warranty vs Rheem / AO Smith
On paper, Bradford White's standard warranties are shorter than Rheem Performance Platinum (12 years) and AO Smith Signature Premier (9 years). The 10-year upgrade kit narrows the Rheem gap. Bradford White's argument is real-world tank longevity — see our BW vs Rheem comparison for the full discussion.
Bottom line
Register within installation date for full coverage. For tank-shell failures the installing plumber typically handles the replacement claim. For broader context see our Bradford White lineup.