A water heater protection plan is a service agreement that covers the cost of unexpected repairs to your conventional tank water heater — including both parts and labour — for a predictable annual or monthly fee. Think of it as insurance for your hot water supply.

Unlike a maintenance plan — which is focused on scheduled, preventive servicing to keep your unit running well — a protection plan is reactive. It kicks in when something breaks down unexpectedly, covering the repair cost so you are not hit with a bill you were not expecting.

The two plans are designed to work together. A maintenance plan prevents the problems that can be prevented. A protection plan covers the ones that happen anyway — because no mechanical system is completely immune to unexpected failure, no matter how well it is maintained.

Here is a clear overview of what is and is not covered under the Constant Home Comfort Water Heater Protection Plan for conventional tank units:

Coverage details are subject to plan terms and conditions. Your Constant Home Comfort advisor will walk you through the full terms when you enroll.

It only takes one unexpected repair to understand the value of a protection plan. Here is what Ontario homeowners typically pay out of pocket for common conventional tank water heater repairs — and how that compares to having coverage:

A single after-hours emergency repair can easily cost more than a full year of protection plan coverage. For most homeowners, the plan pays for itself the first time something goes wrong.

Even a quality conventional tank water heater that is regularly maintained can experience unexpected component failures. Understanding why helps illustrate why protection coverage makes sense for most Ontario homeowners.

Component Fatigue and Wear

Your water heater runs continuously — heating water, maintaining temperature, and cycling on and off dozens of times a day, every single day. Over thousands of heating cycles, components like thermostats, heating elements, gas valves, and igniters experience natural wear that eventually leads to failure. There is no way to predict exactly when a component will reach the end of its service life — it simply happens.

Ontario's Water Quality

Hard water, common across much of the GTA and southern Ontario, accelerates wear on internal components. Mineral deposits can coat heating elements, interfere with thermostat sensors, and clog the small orifices in gas burner assemblies — all of which increase the likelihood of premature component failure regardless of how well the tank is maintained.

Thermal Stress and Pressure Cycling

Every time your water heater heats a tank of cold water, the metal expands. Every time it cools, it contracts. Over years of operation, this repeated thermal stress can cause micro-fractures in components, loosen fittings, and fatigue connections that appeared perfectly fine during a routine inspection. These failures are inherently unpredictable.

Age-Related Degradation

As a conventional tank water heater ages past the 5 to 7 year mark, the statistical likelihood of component failure increases year over year. This does not mean the unit is about to fail — many well-maintained units operate reliably well into their second decade — but it does mean the risk of an unexpected breakdown is meaningfully higher, making protection coverage increasingly valuable as the unit ages.

The process is designed to be as simple as possible from your end. Here is exactly what happens when your water heater breaks down and you are on the protection plan:

1. Call us at 1-888-675-5907 — anytime, day or night. Let our team know you are a protection plan member and describe the issue. Plan members receive priority dispatch.
2. We dispatch a licensed technician to your home as quickly as possible. For emergency situations, we prioritize same-day or next-available service.
3. The technician diagnoses the problem and confirms whether the repair is covered under your protection plan.
4. Covered repairs are completed — parts and labour — at no additional cost to you beyond your plan fee.
5. If the issue is not covered — such as a failed tank body requiring full replacement — we provide you with a transparent quote and can often arrange same-day or next-day replacement installation.
6. The technician confirms the unit is operating correctly before leaving, and cleans up the work area.

Understanding how the two plans differ — and how they complement each other — makes it easy to choose the right level of coverage for your home:

For most Ontario homeowners who own their water heater, enrolling in both plans is the smartest decision. The maintenance plan keeps the unit healthy and extends its lifespan. The protection plan covers you if something goes wrong between annual visits. Together, they deliver complete, worry-free hot water coverage for a predictable annual cost.

A protection plan is a strong fit for a wide range of Ontario homeowners. Consider enrolling if:

• Your water heater is more than 5 years old — the point at which unexpected component failures become increasingly likely
• You recently purchased a new unit and want to protect that investment from day one with coverage beyond the manufacturer's warranty
• You cannot afford the disruption or cost of an unexpected repair — especially if you work from home, have young children, or have elderly family members in your household who depend on reliable hot water
• You own a rental property and want to ensure any breakdown is handled quickly and cost-effectively without an unbudgeted repair bill
• You prefer fixed, predictable costs over the risk of variable, potentially large repair expenses
• You want 24/7 priority access to a licensed technician without having to search for a service provider at short notice

• Unexpected repair costs covered — parts and labour included so you are never faced with a surprise bill
• 24/7 emergency access — plan members receive priority dispatch any time of day or night, including weekends and holidays
• Licensed technicians — every repair is performed by a fully licensed and experienced Constant Home Comfort technician
• Predictable cost — a fixed annual or monthly fee means you always know what your water heater protection costs
• Fast response — our service network across Ontario means shorter wait times, especially in the GTA and surrounding regions
• Peace of mind — know that if your water heater fails, help is one call away and the cost is already covered

The protection plan is most powerful when it works alongside the Constant Home Comfort Water Heater Maintenance Plan. Here is why:

• The maintenance plan handles everything preventive — annual inspections, sediment flushing, anode rod checks, thermostat calibration, and safety testing
• The protection plan handles everything reactive — covering parts and labour costs when an unexpected breakdown occurs between annual service visits
• Together, they eliminate almost every possible hot water headache a homeowner could face — both planned and unplanned

Homeowners who enroll in both plans enjoy the lowest total cost of ownership for their water heater, the longest unit lifespan, and the most comprehensive protection available. Ask about our combined plan pricing when you call.

Do not wait for a breakdown to wish you had coverage. Enrolling in the Constant Home Comfort Water Heater Protection Plan takes just a few minutes and gives you immediate peace of mind. We serve Ontario homeowners across:

• Greater Toronto Area — Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Mississauga, Scarborough, Newmarket, Etobicoke, North York, Aurora, Thornhill, Stouffville, and surrounding communities
• Durham Region — Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering
• Hamilton and Burlington
• Ottawa and Kanata
• London and Waterloo Region
• Barrie and all of Ontario

Call 1-888-675-5907 anytime — 24/7 — to enroll, ask questions, or request a service visit. We are always ready to help.

What is the difference between a protection plan and a maintenance plan?

A maintenance plan covers scheduled annual servicing — flushing, inspections, anode rod checks, and safety tests — to keep your unit running efficiently and prevent issues before they start. A protection plan covers unexpected breakdowns between service visits, including parts and labour costs for covered component failures. They serve different purposes and work best together.

Is there a waiting period before coverage starts?

Coverage terms including any applicable waiting period will be outlined clearly when you enroll. Your Constant Home Comfort advisor will walk you through the full plan details before you commit to anything.

Does the protection plan cover a full tank replacement if the unit fails completely?

The protection plan covers component repairs — thermostats, heating elements, burners, igniters, dip tubes, T&P valves, and similar parts. It does not cover tank body failure or internal corrosion leaks, as these require full unit replacement rather than repair. If your tank reaches end of life, we will provide a transparent replacement quote and can typically arrange fast installation.

Can I enroll in a protection plan for an older water heater?

Eligibility for the protection plan depends on the age and condition of your unit. Our technician will assess the water heater before enrollment to confirm it is in a condition suitable for coverage. If the unit is too close to end of life, we will let you know honestly and present your replacement options instead.

How quickly will a technician arrive when I have a breakdown?

Protection plan members receive priority dispatch — meaning your call goes to the front of the queue. Response times vary by location and time of call, but we aim to have a technician at your home as quickly as possible, with same-day service the goal for emergency situations across our Ontario service areas.

Does the protection plan cover labour costs as well as parts?

Yes. For covered repairs, the protection plan includes both parts and labour at no additional cost to you. This is one of the key advantages over relying solely on manufacturer warranties, which typically cover parts only and leave you responsible for labour.

Can I have both a maintenance plan and a protection plan at the same time?

Absolutely — and we strongly recommend it. The two plans are designed to work together to provide complete hot water coverage. The maintenance plan prevents what can be prevented; the protection plan covers what cannot be anticipated. Many of our Ontario customers choose both for total peace of mind. Ask about combined plan pricing when you call.