Good hot water heater brand?

[ford46guy]

Need a 50 gallon power vent, so around $1000 ish across brands. I want to keep the same brand because it lasted 15 years (Bradford White) but it looks like quality really went down. The Rheem HD ones look good. Then again reviews mean little with the volume sold. What was sold years ago is not the same as today.

Going to install myself.

 

[4wd]

Have had good runs with Kenmore ...

 

[mcrn]

Interested in this as well

 

[QuietPortage]

AO Smith is far better than anything that you'd see at a big box store, but more expensive too.

 

[Rat407]

Interesting, my mom just had to replace her water heater. It lasted 14yrs. I think hers is only a 40 gallon and she paid $350, not sure of the brand that she had or replaced. I'm just lucky that my cousin's that live close to her are installing it. I'm 8hrs away.

We on the other hand have a tankless Renni and love it.

 

[AirgunSavant]

State...........Mine lasted 17 years-and looked new- got a bit worried so I replaced it
Parents have a Rheem with a 12 year warranty

 

[doitmyself]

I just went through this at my workplace and did a little bit of investigation, both online and asking some professionals. I have access to buy from plumbing "jobbers" supply houses.

Bradford White, AO Smith, Lochnivar are what the pros mostly use, but Rheem is also on the list depending on local availability.

The consensus was to buy the cheapest water heater with the 6 year warranty from the above brands. The longer warranty at higher price is just that, you are paying for the warranty and there are no differences in the unit. Everyone said that quality was hit or miss with all brands. Most said that they have become commodity items and that all have evolved to share similar technology. You might get 6 years or 15 years out of any given unit regardless of brand.

If I remember right, I thought that Rheem had a slightly longer homeowner warranty. I haven't shopped at the big box stores. In the past, their models had plastic drain valves vs. metal on the contractor models. Has that changed??

That's my 2 cents. Buy the Bradford White because they are made in Michigan!

 

[Tdbo]

I have a Ruud (Rheem) 50 gallon power vent, installed in 2003.
It has been flawless.

 

[rshaw125]

Whenever I have replaced one it was because the tank rusted through and began to leak. So are there any manufacturers that use better or different materials for the tank itself?

 

[KrisZ]

I would go with the one that has all the hookups exactly the same as your old one, this way the installation will be a breeze.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Whenever I have replaced one it was because the tank rusted through and began to leak. So are there any manufacturers that use better or different materials for the tank itself?


You need to change the anode rod periodically to prevent rust.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: Bandito440
AO Smith is far better than anything that you'd see at a big box store, but more expensive too.
From an experience point of view, I would fully agree with this. We have an AO Smith electric that is now 15 years old, never drained and still working (hopefully, this does not jinx me). I am about to replace it with a natural gas heater and AO Smith is not easy to find in my area (have not shopped contractors yet), but I would not hesitate to buy another.

 

[Fsharp]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Whenever I have replaced one it was because the tank rusted through and began to leak. So are there any manufacturers that use better or different materials for the tank itself?


You've got to check the sacrificial anode every year or two and replace when it is dissolved or else the tank will start to rust. As far as I know all water heaters are built pretty much the same. They're actually lined with fiberglass on the inside, but it's not perfect and they will start to rust eventually.

You can buy powered anodes that will last indefinitely or A.O. Smith makes a couple of water heaters with one already installed.

 

[Rand]

Gas? electric? hybrid?

 

[cheech279]

State or A.O. Smith if they're sold in your area.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Your choices are probably Rheem or AO Smith. They have the best warranties as well.

 

[edwardh1]

state or ao smith.
I have had two states that lasted over 15 years each,

 

[ford46guy]

Originally Posted By: Bandito440
AO Smith is far better than anything that you'd see at a big box store, but more expensive too.

It is actually the same as the one at HD, but the reviews scare me a bit.

 

[ford46guy]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Gas? electric? hybrid?
GAS

 

[totegoat]

We had a 50gal Rheem Classic Professional installed 2 years ago. Happy with it so far. Check with your gas company, they may offer incentives on higher efficient models.