Water heaters, Rheem or AO Smith
- Thread starter Malo83
- Start date
I dont think it matters, they both heat water, since you have been happy with Smith go with it.
Pure speculation here - just one data point. "Some" of the guys at the Terry Love plumbing forum claim that the A.O. Smith heaters at Lowes are inferior: https://terrylove.com/forums/index....mith-water-heaters-rebranded-whirlpool.70719/
When I investigated water heaters 5 years ago per BITOG OCD rules, I got the very slight impression that maybe Rheem had a tiny advantage over the other major brands. Some also claim that big box Rheem may have cheaper parts than jobber supplied? The 3 major brands (Rheem, AO Smith, Bradley Smith) are all VERY similar in build (lack of) quality IMO. Parts, service, and warranty needs to be compared. I.E., the Bradley Smith that I purchased has the anode rod combined into the water inlet - a much bigger pain to service.
As always, investigate yourself and decide based on your findings.
When I investigated water heaters 5 years ago per BITOG OCD rules, I got the very slight impression that maybe Rheem had a tiny advantage over the other major brands. Some also claim that big box Rheem may have cheaper parts than jobber supplied? The 3 major brands (Rheem, AO Smith, Bradley Smith) are all VERY similar in build (lack of) quality IMO. Parts, service, and warranty needs to be compared. I.E., the Bradley Smith that I purchased has the anode rod combined into the water inlet - a much bigger pain to service.
As always, investigate yourself and decide based on your findings.
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The assumption you are talking electric?
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- Nov 27, 2015
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Had good luck with Rheem. We bought one about 4 years ago from HD that replaced one at least 20 years old.
Is it warm where you live in Cali? If so, install the AO Smith Heat Pump water heater. Less than $190.00 / year in energy costs for the 66 gallon size.
I realize that it's large, but if you have a deep whirlpool tub or anything like that, it will provide PLENTY of hot water.
If you're talking gas, I think most are very similar.
I realize that it's large, but if you have a deep whirlpool tub or anything like that, it will provide PLENTY of hot water.
If you're talking gas, I think most are very similar.
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- May 5, 2018
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- 26,643
You won't get 25 years again......
I like AO Smith and you getting 25 years from yours pretty much sums it up which you should buy.
Whatever you get be sure to get a 10 percent Home depot coupon, if you don't have one buy it online.
The key for Gas Water Heater is to drain it at least once a year to clean all the crudz.
If the drain valve is too small (made from plastic), replace it with a brass ball valve so it drains faster and less chance to be clogged.
Replace the Anode Rod whenever it wears out, usually around 7 years depending on the water condition.
Mine is at 27 years young State.
IIRC, some of the water heater company has combined into one company.
If the drain valve is too small (made from plastic), replace it with a brass ball valve so it drains faster and less chance to be clogged.
Replace the Anode Rod whenever it wears out, usually around 7 years depending on the water condition.
Mine is at 27 years young State.
IIRC, some of the water heater company has combined into one company.
I looked at the W.H. at Lowes and the Drain Valve was 'plastic' / Home Depot was 'brass'.
That was enough for me to purchase at Home Depot.
I eventually took out the Valve and replaced with a (brass) 3/4" Ball Valve.
1) Buy one with the best warranty.
2) Buy a couple Water Alarms and put on top and at bottom of Tank.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Basemen...=REC-_-pipinstock-_-204116885-_-100038838-_-N
That was enough for me to purchase at Home Depot.
I eventually took out the Valve and replaced with a (brass) 3/4" Ball Valve.
1) Buy one with the best warranty.
2) Buy a couple Water Alarms and put on top and at bottom of Tank.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Basemen...=REC-_-pipinstock-_-204116885-_-100038838-_-N
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- Jun 13, 2013
- Messages
- 3,075
I put a tankless gas water heater in my Mom’s house.
i actually put in two, one on the first floor, in the old laundry room, where the old tank was, and a second when I built the new laundry room on the second floor...
Runs great, unlimited hot water, hot water supply runs are really short now, you get hot water almost instantly...
i actually put in two, one on the first floor, in the old laundry room, where the old tank was, and a second when I built the new laundry room on the second floor...
Runs great, unlimited hot water, hot water supply runs are really short now, you get hot water almost instantly...
Electric? Get the size you want with the best warranty. Gas? Avoid any brand that uses the Honeywell gas valves. AO Smith was one of them. The local supplier completely switched away from them because warranty work was killing them. Do a Google search for “Honeywell gas valve over temp code”. Rheem uses a different valve.
I went for a Lowes A.O. Smith, made in USA vs Rheem at HD made in Mexico. In my experience electric water heaters are all similar in reliability.
The Home Depot Rheems aren’t bad.
Funny you mention that. I had several Honeywell gas valve failures in my furnace but never with my HWT's.
