When you need a new water heater, you can either purchase it at a big home improvement retailer, or order it through your licensed plumber (who should buy it from a plumbing supply store).  Here are some tips on why it is best to purchase through your plumber:

• If you buy a water heater from the home improvement retailer, your warranty is pro-rated and labor-intensive.  For example, if you have a six year warranty and the unit fails after three years, you are covered for 50% of the cost of the original unit, which you will then use toward the purchase price of a new water heater.  You will have to drain, disconnect and return the old water heater in order to take advantage of your warranty.  Because you are required by state law to hire a licensed plumber to remove and install your water heater, this could result in several hours more in labor cost.
  

  

• If you buy the water heater from a plumbing supply house via your licensed plumber, your warranty is for 100% of the purchase price of the new unit – minus shipping and handling fees.  You do not have to return the old water heater, therefore you are saving both time and money – your plumber can be preparing the new water heater for installation while the old one drains!