Water Heaters - Brand of water heater

We are having quotes for replacement of our two water heaters, ans as expected the quotes vary quite a bit.

One of the quotes cautioned us to stay away from Home Depot and Lowes who use Whirlpool or GE.

Are these brands not as dependable or as efficient as other major brands?

Which brands are best?

Nathan

Welcome Nathan to the Do-It-Yourself Web Site and the Water Heaters topic.

Brand does not really matter as much as the warranty. (IMO) Most brands are manufactured by only a few manufacturers whom than label the tanks for another company. All tanks must meet the minimum federal guidelines for energy efficiency. Read the labels.

Sales persons will always try to persuade potential customer to buy their brand. Part of their job. But in doing so, the final decision is always the consumers. Read the warranties. More important than the brand name, IMO.

There is no better or worse brand. Warranty and local service persons are or should be the considering factors for all long term appliance purchases, IMO.

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GE is made by Rheem. Whirlpool is made by American Water Heater Company. I have had good luck with both brands. I believe each is a quality product.

The GE/Rheem brand has proven quite reliable. The intake baffle is designed to be maintenance free for the life of the unit.

Do any reading on the many internet plumbing forums and you will find that the Whirlpools are absolut DOGS. The design of the air intake baffle is such that it clogs with lint and dust, and every few months you need a service call to disassemble and clean. The thermocouple has a thermal fuse in it which is very prone to failure.

The GE/Rheem brand has proven quite reliable. The intake baffle is designed to be maintenance free for the life of the unit.

Do any reading on the many internet plumbing forums and you will find that the Whirlpools are absolut DOGS. The design of the air intake baffle is such that it clogs with lint and dust, and every few months you need a service call to disassemble and clean. The thermocouple has a thermal fuse in it which is very prone to failure.

Might add the thermocouple is also lefthanded threads to prevent a standard t'couple from being installed.

Are the GE LP models also worth considering? The GE LP models only come with a 6 year warranty (Natural gas have a 6, 9, or 12 year warranty). I was at Home Depot ready to buy until I found this out.

Tony

I believe natural gas models have a greater selection because of greater demand. Because fewer LP units are sold, some manufacturers choose to have only a few or one model available. If you don't want or like what one company offers, do a little research and keep looking.

I do like Rheem/GE, and believe it is worth considering.

Good Luck.