Water Heater Brands

[perry]

Anyone have a preference on water heater brands? Whirlpool versus Richmond versus Bradford White (I think it will be that line)?

The Whirlpool and Richmond (Rheem) will cost me about the same and may be self installed with alot of help from my retired plumber Uncle, and the Bradford White will be professionally installed by my coworkers cousin. The BW will cost a lot more than if I install one of the other two myself, and more than an install quote from Lowes. Any opinions to push me one way or the other? I don't know how much longer I'll be in the house.... for argument's sake, say 5 years.

My Uncle is going to call supply shops that will still sell to him to see other brands available, so maybe A O Smith will be in the picture... Mine is leaking and he is busy, so I may end up hiring someone that can do it sooner rather than later.

 

[88GT]

I've been using the same plumber for 10+ years. He only installs Bradford White. He is a master plumber, in every sense of the word. Honest to a fault. If there's something that can be purchased/install for less without a sacrifice in quality, he will say so. But when he says don't bother with X, I listen. Or I'll be having him back out again. As much as I like him, I don't really like having to see him all that often.

 

[sbude]

I'd go with the Bradford, for years I stood by the A.O Smith, a good product, but they started getting a bit pricey. The Rheem is okay, I'd stay away from the models in the big box stores. Why can't you install the Bradford White? Is it gas or electric? Anymore, with the products out there, an electric is easy to install. If it's gas, then you may want to have a professional do it. And yes, I'm a plumber.

 

[Arm America]

I would go with the Bradford White.
Lee supply in Carmel will sell you one @ 844-4434 or
go with Economy Plumbing in Fishers.
Their Brand of choice is American Water Heaters,
which is made by A.O.Smith. 264-2240.
Both good heaters.

 

[perry]

My coworker's cousin said Bradford White as well. When I called my Uncle I ask, "So what water heater brand would you say is good?" He immediately replied Bradford White, then we started looking at other brands when I mentioned the price quotes I had gotten. I like that they're made up in Michigan, and it seems to have nice features (brass drain, anode, Vitraglass lined). I'm mainly torn over the price verus features I guess.

Seeing the first few replies is helping me make up my mind.

 

[perry]

I'd go with the Bradford, for years I stood by the A.O Smith, a good product, but they started getting a bit pricey. The Rheem is okay, I'd stay away from the models in the big box stores. Why can't you install the Bradford White? Is it gas or electric? Anymore, with the products out there, an electric is easy to install. If it's gas, then you may want to have a professional do it.

They don't sell directly to consumers because they believe in supporting the pro's and want the job done correctly. Bradford White | FAQs

It is gas. And I'm just not comfortable doing this myself. I know my abilities and limitations.

 

[Tripp11]

Owning a few rental properties, I've always installed AO Smith and I haven't come across one that gave me any problems. In our current home, we just replaced our AO Smith 50 gallon gas water heater that had been in service for 15 years (6 year warranty) before it finally developed a small crack in the tank.

 

[the only Qualk]

Why not jump to a tankless? Just wondering because when I need a water heater I hope to go that route.

 

[perry]

Why not jump to a tankless? Just wondering because when I need a water heater I hope to go that route.

I looked in to those when I bought the house in fall 2009 and I remember them not being a good fit for me. I can't remember exactly why any more but I remember laying out pros and cons and installation costs, etc...

Consumer Reports gives some good reasons why tankless heaters aren't that great.

 

[slimplmbr]

You're going to get a better quality water heater from a plumbing supply house than you would from a home improvement store. Myself I prefer Bradford White or AO Smith. Lochinvar also makes a good water heater too. I always try to let people know when asking me about plumbing equipment, most of the time you get what you pay for. I have replaced a lot of home improvement store brand water heaters within one year of the warranty expiring.

 

[Bunnykid68]

Don't get a Bradford, sounds like it will cost you hundreds more just to get it installed by a "pro". It does not take a "pro" to install a water heater properly. it is not rocket science.

 

[gunworks321]

Why not jump to a tankless? Just wondering because when I need a water heater I hope to go that route.

Did this five years ago and never been happier. Limitless hot water. When grand-kids are here six showers one after the other.

 

[rnmcguire]

AO Smith sucks!

I'll say this and you can take it for what it's worth but when I built my house I had an AO Smith installed and 3 years later the thing leaked water all over my house and caused over $18,000 in damage. They replaced it with another AO Smith and 2 years later it was leaking the same way but fortunately it didn't happen at 2 a.m. so I caught it in time before any major damage. I remember the plumber saying that AO Smith and Bradford White where some of the best and to stay far away from the units sold at Lowe's/Menards etc. Well after the second failure I decided to go to Lowe's and purchase one of those crummy Whirlpool units. That was about 5 years ago and I haven't had one single problem yet and actually I think it heats the water better. I think I paid about $150 for the Whirlpool which was alot cheaper. Oh and I've always had a water softner hooked up and drained the water heater a couple time a year as advised so there was no excuse for those Smith's to leak. Poor craftsmanship in my opinion. I think plumbers recommend what they sell so that they can charge you inflated prices for crappy products.

 

[atvdave]

Replaced my HWH over ten years ago. Had a AO Smith electric. I converted my HWH & my furnace to gas at the same time. Replaced it with a GE model, never had any problems.

My father installed a tankless HWH and loved it. That was over 20 years ago, (he has passed away now). My Mom had never had any issues with it. I don't know the brand though.

 

[sbude]

Don't get a Bradford, sounds like it will cost you hundreds more just to get it installed by a "pro". It does not take a "pro" to install a water heater properly. it is not rocket science.

No, it's not rocket science, but if you've never done it before the consequences of doing it incorrectly can be dangerous, especially with a gas water heater. You're "pro" comment reeks of elitism. Yeah most home repairs don't need to be made by a "pro", and you can save a few bucks muddling through it yourself, but in using bargain brand material, and wasting time in installing it yourself, your guaranteeing more cost in the long run. Sure there are hacks and profiteers out there masquerading as "pros" but a true professional will do the job at a fair price and give you piece of mind that your house will not explode, nor will you die in your sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

[Bunnykid68]

No, it's not rocket science, but if you've never done it before the consequences of doing it incorrectly can be dangerous, especially with a gas water heater. You're "pro" comment reeks of elitism. Yeah most home repairs don't need to be made by a "pro", and you can save a few bucks muddling through it yourself, but in using bargain brand material, and wasting time in installing it yourself, your guaranteeing more cost in the long run. Sure there are hacks and profiteers out there masquerading as "pros" but a true professional will do the job at a fair price and give you piece of mind that your house will not explode, nor will you die in your sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Let me set the record straight, I do not do this kind of work myself. But, I would never hire one of these so called licensed pros either. I know a half dozen people that are more than capable of doing this work as well as any professional.

Even the pros have to do it a first time. Easy to check for leaks and depending on the setup you are only talking about one gas connection and 2 water connections

 

[mima07]

Bradford White = Lochinvar

Last November I had to replace my hot water tank, a very old, reliable A.O. Smith tank. When I told the plumber to replace it with another A.O. Smith, he said the newer ones weren't any good-that there had been many issues with cracked, leaking A.O. Smith tanks. He recommended Bradford White or Lochinvar. After doing some checking I went with BW.
On a side note, Bradford White, I learned makes residential water heaters for Lochinvar. Lochinvar Water Heaters

I was shocked how much more expensive water heaters are today from a few years ago. Guess that goes with the times.

 

[Timjoebillybob]

Oh and I've always had a water softner hooked up and drained the water heater a couple time a year as advised so there was no excuse for those Smith's to leak.

Actually a water softener can cause a hot water heater to go bad quicker, the salt that is left in the water can corrode the sacrificial anode faster, and then goes to work on the tank itself.

OP whatever brand you decide on, check the anode a year or two before the warranty is up. If it's mostly used up (or doesn't look to be used at all) replace it. The anode is what helps to keep the tank from rusting out from the inside.

It should be in the back middle of the top of the tank, a large most likely hex "bolt". Although from what I understand some companies now use the hot water port for it. Or both, some of the manufactures with the longer 12yr install two, one in each.

How to Change a Water Heater Anode Rod | Video | This Old House

And here is site that talks about it quite a bit also.
Navigating the Water Heater Rescue website

 

[JettaKnight]

Why not jump to a tankless? Just wondering because when I need a water heater I hope to go that route.

I thought about that too, till I did the research. It was way too expensive and way to complicated to install by me. I don't think my wife and I would get the kind of returns and comfort from it.

I ended up buying a 30 year Richmond gas model after my old one burst on Xmas eve.

 

[Arm America]

[QUOTE Even the pros have to do it a first time. Easy to check for leaks and depending on the setup you are only talking about one gas connection and 2 water connections[/QUOTE]

A person doing it the first time would not be considered a pro,
you are correct on the water and gas connections, fairly simple but
an improper connection of the flue can kill.