We have some exciting news to share with our Fresno customers: Stedman's Plumbing is now an officially enrolled A.O. Smith Service Provider. This means our technicians have completed A.O. Smith's specialized manufacturing training and are recognized by the brand as certified installation and service experts for their full product line.

A.O. Smith is one of the most respected water heater brands in North America — and their Service Provider Program sets a high bar. Not every plumbing company qualifies. Here's what this certification means for you.

What Is the A.O. Smith Service Provider Program?

A.O. Smith's Service Provider Program is a national network of pre-screened, factory-trained contractors who specialize in the installation, service, and repair of A.O. Smith water heaters. The program is designed to ensure homeowners always have access to a qualified technician who knows the product inside and out.

To become an enrolled Service Provider, Stedman's Plumbing had to meet strict requirements including:

• Active state contractor license (CA Lic. #1110490)
• Proof of liability insurance and bonding
• Completion of A.O. Smith's specialized service training curriculum
• Demonstrated expertise across A.O. Smith's residential and commercial product lines

Benefits You Get as Our Customer

Choosing a certified A.O. Smith Service Provider is more than a formality — it has real, tangible benefits for homeowners in Fresno and the Central Valley:

• Factory-correct installation — Your unit is installed exactly to manufacturer specifications, maximizing efficiency and lifespan.
• Genuine parts — As a Service Provider, we have access to A.O. Smith's genuine OEM parts, not generic substitutes.
• Priority support access — When we need technical guidance from A.O. Smith, we're prioritized in their support queue — meaning faster diagnosis and faster resolution for you.
• Up-to-date training — A.O. Smith regularly updates their training as new models are released. We stay current so we can service the latest units correctly.
• Rebate navigation — Many high-efficiency A.O. Smith units qualify for California energy rebates. We can help you identify and apply for available savings.

A.O. Smith Products We Service

As a certified provider, we work across A.O. Smith's full residential product lineup:

• Gas tank water heaters — including the Signature series (standard and ProLine)
• Electric tank water heaters — standard and electric heat pump models
• Hybrid heat pump water heaters — the highly efficient Signature 900 series (up to 4x more efficient than standard electric)
• Tankless gas water heaters — whole-home and point-of-use models
• Commercial water heaters — for multi-family, light commercial, and hospitality applications

Why We Chose A.O. Smith

We've always been selective about the brands we recommend. A.O. Smith stood out to us for several reasons — particularly their commitment to quality engineering and the depth of support they provide their certified service partners.

Features like iCOMM™ remote monitoring, LeakWatch® and LeakShield® sensors, and their robust warranty programs make A.O. Smith one of the best values in the water heater category. We wanted to be able to support these products at the highest possible level — and that means being factory-certified.

Schedule Your A.O. Smith Service Today

Whether you need a new A.O. Smith water heater installed, an existing unit serviced, or just want a professional opinion on whether your current heater is operating efficiently — we're here to help. Call (559) 770-9772 or use our online scheduler to book a visit.

When you invest in a new A.O. Smith water heater, one of the most important things protecting that investment is your manufacturer warranty. But here's something many homeowners don't realize: who installs and services your unit can directly affect whether that warranty remains valid.

As a certified A.O. Smith Service Provider, Stedman's Plumbing is specifically trained and authorized to install and service A.O. Smith products in a way that fully honors the manufacturer's warranty terms. Here's what you need to know.

How Warranty Coverage Works

A.O. Smith water heaters come with tiered warranty coverage depending on the model and series. Most residential units include:

• Tank warranty — typically 6 to 12 years depending on model tier
• Parts warranty — typically 1 to 5 years
• Labor warranty — varies by model and installer

Why Certified Installation Matters

A.O. Smith provides their certified Service Providers with exclusive manufacturing training that covers every detail of correct installation — water supply connections, gas or electrical hookups, venting configurations, expansion tank requirements, and pressure relief valve placement.

When a non-certified technician installs your unit, they may not be aware of model-specific requirements that A.O. Smith's warranty terms depend on. Common installation errors that can void coverage include:

• Incorrect venting type or configuration for the model
• Missing or undersized expansion tank on closed systems
• Improper temperature and pressure relief valve installation
• Incorrect gas pressure or supply line sizing
• Failure to install a drip pan and drain line in required locations
• Operating the unit outside of rated water pressure ranges

Certified Service = Preserved Warranty

When Stedman's Plumbing installs your A.O. Smith water heater, you get documentation of a certified installation. This creates a clear paper trail that supports any future warranty claim. Our technicians follow A.O. Smith's official installation procedures to the letter — because we've been trained directly by the manufacturer.

The same applies to service calls. If your A.O. Smith unit needs repair during the warranty period, having a certified provider perform the work ensures that repair is warranty-compliant. Using an uncertified technician for warranty-period repairs can complicate or invalidate future claims.

Extended Warranty Options

Through A.O. Smith's programs, certain certified installations may qualify for extended warranty coverage beyond the standard term. Ask us about currently available extended warranty options when you schedule your installation.

Schedule a Certified A.O. Smith Installation

Whether you're replacing an aging unit or installing a water heater in a new home, Stedman's Plumbing can handle it with certified precision. We serve Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, and communities throughout the Central Valley.

Call (559) 770-9772 or schedule online to get a free estimate on your A.O. Smith water heater installation.

We're excited to share that Stedman's Plumbing is now a certified Navien Service Specialist (NSS) — one of a select group of plumbing companies nationwide to earn this designation directly from Navien, one of the world's leading manufacturers of tankless water heaters and combination boilers.

This isn't a directory listing or a paid badge. The Navien Service Specialist program requires real training, demonstrated competency, and ongoing commitment to the brand's standards. Here's what it means — and why it matters for our customers.

What Is the Navien Service Specialist Program?

The Navien Service Specialist (NSS) program is Navien's official certification for plumbing and HVAC companies who specialize in the installation, service, and repair of Navien products. NSS members are recognized on Navien's website as approved installers and service providers — one of the most trusted signals a Navien customer can look for when choosing a contractor.

To become an NSS, Stedman's Plumbing completed Navien's advanced training program covering:

• Tankless water heater installation — including venting, gas supply sizing, and condensate management for condensing units
• Combination boiler installation and service — space heating and domestic hot water in a single unit
• Diagnostic troubleshooting — interpreting Navien error codes, testing heat exchangers, and resolving common failure modes
• Best practices for efficiency and performance — proper manifolding, recirculation system setup, and optimal temperature settings
• Service, Installation, and Operation Manuals — across Navien's full residential product range

What NSS Members Get — And Why That Helps You

The NSS program isn't just a title. It comes with tangible benefits that translate directly into better service for our customers:

• Priority technical support — Dedicated NSS hotline directly into Navien's service team for faster resolution
• Fast parts access — Streamlined Return Goods Authorization (RGA) process means quicker turnaround on warranty parts
• Discounted parts kit — We stock Navien's most common service parts so we can resolve most issues in a single visit
• Listed on Navien's website — Customers searching Navien's locator tool will find Stedman's as an approved provider in Fresno
• Higher pay rate structure — NSS agents receive a higher compensation rate for warranty work, which means Navien incentivizes quality service

Why Navien?

Navien has built a strong reputation in the tankless water heater market for a reason. Their condensing technology consistently ranks among the most efficient available, and their NPE series tankless units are a favorite of California homeowners due to the state's energy efficiency requirements.

Key reasons we recommend and service Navien products:

• Industry-leading efficiency — up to 0.96 UEF on select models, qualifying for utility rebates in California
• Condensing technology — extracts more heat from combustion gas, lowering operating costs
• ComfortFlow® technology — built-in buffer tank and recirculation pump eliminates the "cold water sandwich" common in tankless units
• Wide product range — residential tankless, commercial tankless, and NHB combination boilers
• NaviLink® Wi-Fi control — remote monitoring and control via smartphone app

Is a Navien Tankless Right for Your Home?

Tankless water heaters aren't for every home — and as NSS-certified specialists, we'll always give you an honest assessment. A Navien unit is generally an excellent fit if:

• Your household has moderate-to-high hot water demand
• You want to reduce energy bills and your water heating carbon footprint
• You have adequate gas supply for a condensing tankless unit (or are willing to upgrade the supply line)
• You have or are willing to install proper condensate drainage
• Your existing vent configuration is compatible or upgradeable

If a tankless isn't the right fit, we'll tell you — and recommend the best alternative for your specific situation. That's the Stedman's way.

Schedule a Navien Service or Installation

Whether you're replacing an old tank heater, upgrading to tankless, or need service on an existing Navien unit, our NSS-certified team is ready. We serve Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Hanford, and communities throughout the Central Valley.

Call (559) 770-9772 or schedule online for a free estimate.