Lifetime warranty on hot water tanks a good deal?

Question

I'm looking to replace my hot water tank and noticed that Home Depot offered a lifetime warranty if I purchase one from them. Has anyone gone with this offer or know someone that has and if so has there been any negative experiences with it? Thanks.

Answer 1

A water heater will last from 5 to 8 years, you have to figure in the cost of the warranty ( most come with a 3 year warranty) and replacement cost. Is the labor included..fixtures etc.. included? Chek this list>>
http://www.hometips.com/cs-protected/guides/waterheater.html

Answer 2

I would really read this warranty. I don't see how they could make this type of offer. HD sells several different models of water heaters. They have a 6 year, 9 year, and a 12 year model, so I am suspicious of anyone who says they will sell you a lifetime warranty. Since water heater manufacturers were forced to remove any traces of lead in their manufacturing process, the inner tank that used to be made with a galvanizing compound that contained lead, was changed to one that doesn't have this. Therefore, the manufacturers tested these tanks, and know how long they will last, before devoloping leaks. As with anything man made, manufacturers make money when they sell a product, so if that product only lasts for lets say 6 years, then they stand the chance of making more money, when you need to purchase a replacement heater. This is based on the fact, that homeowners are lazy and stupid, insomuchas they don't drain their heaters like they should. Most plumbers won't even tell you to drain your water heater, fearing they might miss out on a sale. I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW! Nowdays, in new home construction, water heaters can only be put in 2 locations. One is in the garage, elevated off the floor, and the other is in the attic. The garage location is the preferred location, for several reasons. In the garage, the heater is accessible for you, and a serviceman. It is easy to get to to drain ( should be drained 4 times a year). It is cheaper to replace when in the garage, because an attic install requires 2 men for the job. It is also easy to spot a leak when in the garage. I tell all my customers, no matter where your heater is located, go find it, and stand in front of it. Use a flashlight, and check all the connections for leaks, with a paper towel. Visually check for signs of water, or water stains on the outer casing. Look for "green" deposits, a sure sign that something has leaked in the past. Look in the pan, when it is located in the attic, because water in the pan is a sure sign of a tank leak. While you are there, lift the lever on the T&P valve and let it close, and listen for water to run for a second and then stop. This is a safety device, and it is imperative that it is in good working order. It is designed to open if the temperature of the water gets above 180 degrees, or 180 psi. If it doesn't open, it is defective, and MUST BE REPLACED. If it opens but the water continues to run after you let it close, it is defective, and MUST BE REPLACED. I am hearing horror stories of people being ripped off by plumbers charging outreageous prices for water heater change outs, when the only problem was a defective T&P valve, which costs about $10-$12. Being charged for work that isn't required is a crime! Thanks for listening.

Answer 3

Hot Water Tanks Home Depot

Answer 4

Lifetime warranties are supposed to be for the lifetime of the owner, but in almost every case, there's fine print that limits them to the typical couple of years because they'll say something like it's the lifetime of the production cycle for this product, so when we stop making it, the warranty runs out.

Extended warranties, in general, are a bad idea. It's like making a bet that your product will break down sooner that it's "supposed to". I would recommend simply doing research on the best product you can get within your budget and have faith that the product was well-built. Of course, there's always a chance something may go wrong down the road regardless of how nice a product you buy but that's why you do research to mitigate that chance.

Answer 5

Home Depot Hot Water Tanks

Answer 6

I would read that so called life time warranty very carefully, I'll bet it is pro-rated and only good for the original owner. It would also depend on the price premium you are going to pay. As mentioned extended warranties are almost never a good buy.

Answer 7

Depends on how much more it costs that for a comparable unit elsewhere. As Doug stated, tanks last a long time.
What does the warranty cover? Just against leaks? Everything? You'll have to weight the costs.

Answer 8

You should probably get about 15 years or a little more out of a hot water heater. If it were me I would skip the lifetime warranty because it probably costs more than it's worth.

Answer 9

well idunno i mean how much extra does the warranty cost? and hot water tanks generally last a long time. so i dunno ha , im always under the impression that these extended warranties most of them, are not worth it, id pass on it i believe.