Water Heater Question

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jleiwig

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Joined
Jan 10, 2007
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1,860
Location
Monroe, Ohio, USA.
My water heater is about 15 years old, and for the past couple weeks the gas will shut off about every 5 days. I also have to have it on the highest setting to get hot water, so I figure it's time to replace it before it bursts.

Anyway I can get the typical stuff from Home Depot (GE) and Lowes (Whirlpool), or I can order a Rheem from Amazon.

Are there any professional plumbers who have any recommendations on brands?

Depending on the model, I can also get a $100 rebate from my gas company. It appears to be totally random because few of the one's I've seen on their list is energy star compliant.
 
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jleiwig said:
My water heater is about 15 years old, and for the past couple weeks the gas will shut off about every 5 days. I also have to have it on the highest setting to get hot water, so I figure it's time to replace it before it bursts.

Anyway I can get the typical stuff from Home Depot (GE) and Lowes (Whirlpool), or I can order a Rheem from Amazon.

Are there any professional plumbers who have any recommendations on brands?

Depending on the model, I can also get a $100 rebate from my gas company. It appears to be totally random because few of the one's I've seen on their list is energy star compliant.
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I'm not a professional plumber, but I have installed about a half dozen or so water heaters. I've always used Richmond heaters from Menards. The GE are terrible from what I've heard.

Personally, even though I'd probably never make up the savings in the unit cost, I really want to get one of these: http://www.pexsupply.com/AO-Smith-G...ertex-Power-Vent-Residential-Gas-Water-Heater.
 
I am/was a plumber, I recommend replacing The heater. I would get something Energy rated for the tax break. All water heaters are about the same only like 4 manufactures everyone else rebrands them. I always say get the least expensive which usually has the lowest warrenty. Why because most warrenty's are pro rated anyway. Go to the local box store get one with a 6 year warrenty and call it good.
 
order it now in case you need to wait to get the right sized tank in.

When my busted a couple months ago I had to go with a tall model when the one I had was a shorty. I had to get creative with the piping to make it fit.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I'm seriously considering the Rheem from Amazon. It's cheaper than the home depot model (GE) even with shipping, and gets generally good reviews, while the whirlpool from lowes seems like dead weight, and a lot of people aren't happy with GE's customer service on the warranty.
 
I ended up ordering a 50 gallon rheem from amazon. $351 shipped to my door. Generally good things said about them in any of the forums I could find.
 
I use tankless propane water heaters, No heating of the water untio you open the tap and then you have haot water for as long as you like. No running out of hot water because your the last person in line. They are not as cheap as a tank replacement. Mike
 
What did you get? I use Rheem Fury's or Marathon's in all my homes. The Fury is a good, economical choice that is just as efficient as the Marathon but the Marathon has a composite tank that will not rust. My cost on a 50 gallon Furry is $292 and the Marathon is $821. If you got a Furry, then your pricing is pretty good but not as good as I can get at the pro plumbing supply house! If you got the Professional, then you paid about what I pay. Good choice, BTW!
 
MesquiteMan said:
What did you get? I use Rheem Fury's or Marathon's in all my homes. The Fury is a good, economical choice that is just as efficient as the Marathon but the Marathon has a composite tank that will not rust. My cost on a 50 gallon Furry is $292 and the Marathon is $821. If you got a Furry, then your pricing is pretty good but not as good as I can get at the pro plumbing supply house! If you got the Professional, then you paid about what I pay. Good choice, BTW!
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It's good to hear that it's all you use in your homes, because I've seen pictures of your homes, and I wouldn't expect you to put anything less than the best in them.

It is a fury model, and cost was 289.13 with 62 and change for shipping to my door. That way I don't have to rent a truck or bug anyone to get it for me, it'll be dropped off in the driveway.

It is sad that I'm excited about a new water heater :biggrin:. I think it will be a nice upgrade from the 15 year old envirotemp that's in there now. Maybe my gas bill will go down too, because hopefully I can turn down the temp to normal levels and still get it good and hot. Now that gets me excited!
 
I found out the hard way. GE does not make water heaters. I bought a GE water heater from Home Depot, and when I needed service GE told me to contact Rheem because they were the manufacture. GE told me thay do not make the heaters, they just brand them with their name. My first one failed after two years, and I replaced it last February under the manufactures warentee. It seemes to be working fine now.
 
epson said:
I found out the hard way. GE does not make water heaters. I bought a GE water heater from Home Depot, and when I needed service GE told me to contact Rheem because they were the manufacture. GE told me thay do not make the heaters, they just brand them with their name. My first one failed after two years, and I replaced it last February under the manufactures warentee. It seemes to be working fine now.
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According to my gas company, it's not made by rheem either. Rheem water heaters are made by bradford white, which is what most plumbers seem to recommend.
 
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