Best Water Heater? (by Drew [CO]) Oct 20, 2011 7:18 AM
Best Water Heater? (by HQ [MI]) Oct 20, 2011 8:09 AM
Best Water Heater? (by Opinionated [NC]) Oct 20, 2011 8:19 AM
Best Water Heater? (by Drew [CO]) Oct 20, 2011 8:28 AM
Best Water Heater? (by Reid [KS]) Oct 20, 2011 9:15 AM
Best Water Heater? (by Roy [AL]) Oct 20, 2011 9:22 AM
Best Water Heater? (by Drew [CO]) Oct 20, 2011 9:37 AM
Best Water Heater? (by Lee [IN]) Oct 20, 2011 9:46 AM
Best Water Heater? (by RR78 [VA]) Oct 20, 2011 1:44 PM
Best Water Heater? (by RR [WA]) Oct 20, 2011 2:25 PM
Best Water Heater? (by LL [AZ]) Oct 20, 2011 2:27 PM
Best Water Heater? (by S i d [MO]) Oct 20, 2011 3:41 PM
Best Water Heater? (by Robert,Ontario,Canada [ON]) Oct 20, 2011 5:06 PM
Best Water Heater? (by RR78 [VA]) Oct 21, 2011 2:58 PM
Best Water Heater? (by Virden [OH]) Oct 22, 2011 3:27 AM
Best Water Heater? (by John2 [MI]) Dec 26, 2013 4:29 PM
Best Water Heater? (by Drew [CO]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 7:18 AM Message:
What are your thoughts on the best water heater? I've heard people completely swear off "Whirlpool" models (which Lowes tend to carry), saying that they are riddled with problems. I've heard and read the same about GE (which HD carries)... What's a girl to do? Those are the main options where I'm at.
What are your experiences? Help!
--152.131.xx.x |
Best Water Heater? (by HQ [MI]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 8:09 AM Message:
My HVAC guys likes Bradford White --207.74.xxx.xx |
Best Water Heater? (by Opinionated [NC]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 8:19 AM Message:
Why do people post here about water heaters and not mention the heat source? Electric and gas are two very different heaters. For gas, the Bradford White is probably the best. But available only at trade distributors. For electric the GE or Whirlpool is OK. --66.226.xx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by Drew [CO]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 8:28 AM Message:
Yes, I did read review that Bradford White is best, but only available through contractor which I'm not associated with.(maybe I ought to associate myself with one)
I guess I didn't mention source (Gas/Electric) b/c this is not my strength and I'm not yet fluent in the maintenance and repairs just yet. Just took over the maintenance coordination piece a couple years ago and still have an awful lot to learn. Initation by fire...
I'm using Gas Water heaters
I did do a little more research, seems tI've seem Whirlpool with more complaints and warnings from consumers (not to use Whirlpool), along with a class action lawsuit. However, GE isn't exactly free from complaints either. If I had to choose, just between the two right now, I suppose I'd go w/GE?
--152.131.xx.x |
Best Water Heater? (by Reid [KS]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 9:15 AM Message:
The electric Rheem Marathon series are very energy efficient , light weight and have a lifetime guarantee. I have several of them in my places and have never had any problem with any of them. --99.151.xx.xx |
Best Water Heater? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 9:22 AM Message:
In my area, either a Rheem or Ruud brand water heater are the best. I have a Rheem 40 gal. gas water heater in my home and most of my rental houses have either a Rheem or Ruud electric water heater. About 12 years is the average life of one before they begin to show signs of rust.
--68.62.xxx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by Drew [CO]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 9:37 AM Message:
So I called around more and was able to find Bradford White at a smaller plumbing specific store in town. Significantly more expensive than Whirlpool or GE, but might be well worth it. Got ahold of my guy putting it in just in time before he got the GE at Home Depot. So we'll see how this goes compared to my previously purchased GEs.
--152.131.xx.x |
Best Water Heater? (by Lee [IN]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 9:46 AM Message:
Rheem Marathon, electric, less than 1 degree heat loss per 24 hour time period. --216.69.xx.xx |
Best Water Heater? (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 1:44 PM Message:
For the PRICE I still like the GE at Home Depot which is made by Rheem.
--76.104.xxx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by RR [WA]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 2:25 PM Message:
I have recently installed three electric 40 gallon GE water heaters with 6 year warranty from Home Depot. I recall they were $219 +tax -10% lowes discount = sweet deal.
--24.18.xxx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by LL [AZ]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 2:27 PM Message:
I buy the cheapest I can find. We replaced several elect last year at HD, I think via the Bid Room for about $200 each.
In my house we have about an 18 year old gas Rheem that is starting to make funny noises, so I'm assuming it's on it's last legs.
I hoping it holds out a few more months until I re-roof the river house and paint the apts. Then I can deal with our house.
I will probably put a new Rheem in the beach hosue even though it's twice the money. --76.170.xxx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 3:41 PM Message:
LL[AZ], have you drained the tank recently? If it's a knocking sound, that comes from sediment, which can usually be flushed out. That said, this water heater has probably seen it's last days, but this might buy you a few more month.
As to the original post: I purchase 'scratch and dent' heaters from a local guy who buys them from Home Depot and Lowes. Last one I got was a 40 gallon natural gas GE for $125. It's been in for almost a year, no problems. However, I also have no warranty, so I'm gambling a bit that it's cheap enough to offset my time (I installed myself) if I have to get a new one. It should be "break even" if it lasts two more years.
Water heaters--I'm told--from big box stores like HD and Lowe's are all made by the same few companies, then the brand label gets slapped on. The more expensive ones available only to contractors may have different manufactureres. I personally hate Whirlpool because they had the lawsuit you mentioned from their 'flame lock' thermocouple malfunction several years ago. I had one go out in one rental and it was only 3 years old. I had to pay extra to get them to overnight me a completely new burner assembly since they reverse threaded their thermocouples and you cannot replace them with standard thermocouples sold at hardware stores. I'm told that issue has been resolved; but I was not pleased by having to pay $50 shipping to fix their problem. --76.211.xx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by Robert,Ontario,Canada [ON]) Posted on: Oct 20, 2011 5:06 PM Message:
In the house using a Takagi demand water heater which has no storage where only heats hot water when there is demand such as shower, washing machine or dishwasher. Most gas fired tank type water heaters are inefficient and usually last not more then 5 years. Basically there is steel tank with a glass lining and a consumable anode rod. Once is anode is consumed then glass lining wears through then the tank rusts out. It is better to spend more to get a demand water heater which will last more then 15 years and use less natural gas. If using a boiler to heat the house then one can buy a indirect hot water tank which is made of stainless steel which will last at least 25 years. A direct gas fired hot water tank is only 50 to 55 per cent efficient. Where a demand water heater is s least 83 per cent efficient. --74.220.xxx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Oct 21, 2011 2:58 PM Message:
On the tankless. Most seem to agree that you will never recoup your cost.
Best use for them is new construction or if limited space. --76.104.xxx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by Virden [OH]) Posted on: Oct 22, 2011 3:27 AM Message:
One of the stinky things about the whirlpool is the left hand thermocouple - they are very costly, GE tanks at HD are about 18-25 lbs lighter than the real rheem/ruud tanks at the pro places - this is from thinner steel, bradford has good product in my area where the winter cold hits the warm tank causing thermal shock, the replacement of the anode and bonding the hot/cold/electric ground is what gives the long life to any tank by reducing galvanic erosion of the steel. --76.241.xxx.xxx |
Best Water Heater? (by John2 [MI]) Posted on: Dec 26, 2013 4:29 PM Message:
I've had the best "luck" with Bradford white and my 2nd choice is ruud :) --24.236.xxx.xx |
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