Who makes the best water heaters?

[mshan]

Water heater would be for an ~ 1100 sq. ft. 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo.

Most important criteria would be many years of trouble free service with minimal risk of tank rupturing, energy efficiency, and cost of water heater itself.

Most likely needs to be electric, though gas water heater recommendations also appreciated.

 

[imported_weadjust]

Install a water heater drain pan. Cheap insurance.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...3-138-34078&lpage=none

 

[deadlyapp]

Kenmores tend to hold up very well. I have only seen a couple come in for warranty replacement in the close to a year that i've worked in that department at sears.

It really ends up coming down to GE or Kenmore, which both have very similar lines of waterheaters.

Cost of a kenmore runs anywhere from 250 to around 400 for a powermiser 6 up to a powermiser 12.

Is your current one gas or electric? and do you have both hookups or not?

 

[BoomerD]

Gas or Electric?

http://www.waterheaterrescue.c...-hot-water-heater.html

http://www.waterheaterrescue.c...best-water-heater.html

http://www.homeenergy.org/arch...v/eehem/96/960510.html

http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/waterheating.htm

http://www.nd.gov/dcs/energy/p...fficiency/watheath.pdf

Of all the brands available locally at the "big-box" stores like Home Depot, Whirlpool is probably the best...you might be well advised to get one with a 12 year warranty as compared to one with the 4, 5, or 6 year warranties.

Part of the longevity of a water heater will be dependent on your water quality, hardness, and TDS of the water.

 

[MovingTarget]

Whirlpools are generally built like tanks as far as longevity is concerned. You can't go wrong with Kenmore or Maytag either. If you lived a bit farther south, I'd recommend getting a passive solar water heater to pre-heat your water. They can be had for cheap and will save you some $$$ in the long run. You'd still be using your main water heater, but this would make it so it didn't have to expend so much energy to heat incoming water. It would also extend the time you have before your shower turns to icicles.

 

[Unmoosical]

Anyone ever use tankless water heaters? As far as I know they usually cost more up front but you aren't paying for them to keep water hot when you aren't using it. I'd like to know how they are.

 

[ManyBeers]

Rheem These puppies hold up.

 

[mshan]

Electric.

I was at the Bradford White website and they seem to be a quality company.

They only sell through contractors, so do you think using their local recommded plumbing company is a safe and smart choice (can't find any info on the company)?

And what is typical cost of water heater and installation (low, high, average)?


EDIT: looking for electric water heater, but would same recommendations hold up for natural gas powered water heater?

 

[Kaido]

http://www.ideativeinc.com/leakfrog.cfm

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: mshan
Electric.

I was at the Bradford White website and they seem to be a quality company.

They only sell through contractors, so do you think using their local recommded plumbing company is a safe and smart choice (can't find any info on the company)?

And what is typical cost of water heater and installation (low, high, average)?


EDIT: looking for electric water heater, but would same recommendations hold up for natural gas powered water heater?

Build quality may be pretty close to the same.

Not sure about the cost of installation for an electric water heater, but I'm about to have my gas one replaced, and the install will be about $250-$300. Fortunately, that includes hauling off the old one...(that sucker's gotta weigh a TON...full of hard water deposits.

 

[Rubycon]

Text

 

[SampSon]

There isn't a massive difference in quality of water heaters.
The major difference comes in when you get a tankless water heater.

Bradford White, AO Smith, American Standard, Kenmore, GE Smartwater, Rheem, Ruud, Richmond, Reliance etc all have about the same economic life.
Shop by cost and energy efficiency. There isn't a whole lot of comparison shopping to do with a water heater. Some use slightly different materials and certain parts may have a different configuration. Though typically these configurations won't be exclusive to one brand.

Find one that is in your budget, has high energy efficiency, 6 year tank warrant and a high insulation value rating.

 

[IronWing]

This will be my next water heater.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: Unmoosical
Anyone ever use tankless water heaters? As far as I know they usually cost more up front but you aren't paying for them to keep water hot when you aren't using it. I'd like to know how they are.

no experience...just noticed this - Linky