Need advice; residential hot water heater brands

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Need advice; residential hot water heater brands

Author: Tpub (MT)

Hi,

Short version: Who makes the best 50 gallon electric residential hot water heater?

We have an older AO Smith 50 gal electric unit in our home that needs to be replaced. I don't know the exact age, but I suspect it may be 15 - 20 years old. It heats up just fine, but it is starting to rust/leak and I'd like to replace it before it gets worse. I had considered just picking up a basic unit from one of the big box stores but so many of the reviews read like customer service horror stories.

I had planned to install the new one myself, but I am willing to hire someone if the ideal unit is only sold through professionals. Either way, here's what I'm looking for:

1) Customer Service
2) Reliability

Of course reliability is very important, but if something does go wrong with my unit under warranty, I want a fast, no hassle customer service situation. I realize that may be an unrealistic expectation, if so, please let me know. If water heaters are a "throwaway" item nowadays, then it will strongly influence my decision.

Thanks in advance,
T

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Re: Need advice; residential hot water heater brands
Author: packy (MA) we all HATE callbacks so we install the brands that give us the least trouble. for me that is bradford white.
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Re: Need advice; residential hot water heater brands
Author: North Carolina Plumber (NC) For me it is Rheem .
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Re: Need advice; residential hot water heater brands
Author: Tpub (MT) Thanks for the replies. I will check out both of those brands more in depth.
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Re: Need advice; residential hot water heater brands
Author: srloren (CA) I lean toward Bradford White. Have had excellent results with Tech Support
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Re: Need advice; residential hot water heater brands

Author: SwimRunPlumb (MI)

A lot of it is simply regional. Certain water heaters are more popular in different areas. Around here Bradford White is king, but one of our suppliers recently switched to AO Smith, and they seem to be very high quality as well. The reason for the switch was only a supply issue, and not a quality issue. Bradford struggles to keep some of our suppliers fully stocked (which was really only due to the NAECA changes made last year).

They will all perform and last about the same. The one red light for me is a plastic drain at the bottom. Make sure you get a brass drain so that it will actually work when you want it to and won't break.

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Thanks... for the responses.
Author: Tpub (MT) Thanks again to you all for the responses. They have certainly helped! Edited 1 times.
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