Any Recommendations on BRAND of Water Heater

Hugh R · 07-12-2011, 07:26 PM

Searched the threads, I'm not going with a tankless. I need a 40 gallon water heater, natural gas. I searched Lowes and HD websites and they range from $300 to $1,000. Mostly seems to be brand specific GE, Whirlpool cost more. Most seem to have about the same warranty or if you get a 9 or 12 year warranty versus a 6, you pay extra for the extended warranty, which I probably don't need.

Any thoughts/recommendations on a particular brand/model. Most seem about the same in terms of BTU rating 40,000 and pilot less ignition.

Dantilla · 07-12-2011, 07:42 PM

Rheem.

Hugh R · 07-12-2011, 07:48 PM

OK, thanks, Rheem seems to make a lot of the water heaters for HD and Lowes.

flyenby · 07-12-2011, 07:53 PM

American or Bradford white...I am a contractor and use them in my rentals no problems stay away from GE

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

+1 for Rheem

1990C4S · 07-12-2011, 08:39 PM

Make sure it has an adjustable temperature. Not all of them do nowadays.....

CHICKS · 07-12-2011, 08:39 PM

Rheem for sure.

tchanson · 07-12-2011, 08:43 PM

Hugh,

A.O. Smith.

I would also suggest looking at the 50 gallon for not much more coin, depending on your usage.

Tim

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyenby

American or Bradford white...I am a contractor and use them in my rentals no problems stay away from GE

Why not GE? (Pardon the hijack but what about electric as opposed to gas?)

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Why not GE? (Pardon the hijack but what about electric as opposed to gas?)

Hugh pays $.20/kWh for 18 hours per day and $.30/kWh for the other 6...

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Do the brand recommendations also apply to electric or would you suggest something different for folks like me that don't have gas?

Hugh R · 07-13-2011, 06:35 AM

Actually its $0.35/kwh not $0.30, bend over and like it.

sammyg2 · 07-13-2011, 06:36 AM

If I were Hugh ( lol) I'd check into getting one shipped in from out of state.

In the people's republik of kaliforina, the AQMD gets a large cut of every natural gas water heater sold. The supposed low NOX and licensing and certifying fees adds about $150 to the price.

Hugh R · 07-13-2011, 06:38 AM

So I pay $125 for a Permit to Operate from the SCAQMD. I used to work there. I should have stayed, I could have retired by now with a nice pension.

MarKoBrow · 07-13-2011, 06:43 AM

Hugh, If you can spend a few more coin look into a AO Smith condensing gas hot water heater, They come in a 50 Gal size use far less natural gas than atmospheric units and can be shipped to you from another state. Cost roughly 1700.00 but I have seen them for less online.

Hugh R · 07-13-2011, 06:48 AM

$1,700 ??? My time line for living here is about 7-8 years. I don't think the ROI is there. The bottom blew out of the current one, so I need one today. The wifey is cranky enough as it is having had to take a semi-cold shower this morning.

MarKoBrow · 07-13-2011, 06:56 AM

I understand the urgency, I put one in a semi- vacation home to provide hot water and keep the radiant floor working throughout the winter the months cost have been around 35 per month in the winter months and it's a lot cheaper in the summer. But again I do understand the urgency of a cold shower.

vash · vash's Garage

arent some water heaters so efficient they can use a plastic exhaust? i would buy one of those.

sammyg2 · 07:19 AM

I bought a new one from lowe's about 2 years ago because the thermostat on the old one went south and it was one of those anti-tamper deals, hard to get in there and fix it and prolly couldn't have sourced parts.

I paid around $500 for the new one IIRC. It's got a whirlpool sticker on it but who knows who actually made it for them. It's 40 gallon and works just fine.

Here's the deal on gas water heaters (or "hot water heaters" for the anal nannies), they usually don't go bad until the zink anode gets eaten away.

I've heard rumors you can replace that anode.
It screws into the top of the tank.

So buy the cheaper "hot water heater" with the lower warranty, and after about 5 years replace the anode and the thing should last a lot longer than you'll need it to.

Or, you could spend an extra $1000 to save $400 in gas bills over the life of it

MarKoBrow · 07-13-2011, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

arent some water heaters so efficient they can use a plastic exhaust? i would buy one of those.

It's a condensing hot water heater