Electic Water Heater

Dave Sherburne, NY · Apr 15, 2015

I'm going to buy a new water heater, 40 gallon and have to move it out of the flood zone in the cellar. I can drive 16 miles to Lowes and by a Whirlpool for about $315 or I can drive a mile to the local hardware and buy a Reliance same size and price. I would rather buy from the local guy, but never had anything to do with Reliance Brand the whirlpool is probably not what they were 30 years ago. What I'm wondering is if anyone has had experience with either one. The warranty is the same but I don't want to have to change it out when I'm 80.

Farmaller · Apr 15, 2015

I've had Whirlpool with computer board on top for about 8 yrs, no problems yet, I like it, but it came from Lowes too, I would rather buy from small local businesses, I've never heard of Reliance, but it's possible it's made by some other brand, which I would ask about, if same warranty and price, I would have to buy form local store, just my opinion

Bob · Apr 15, 2015

A. O. Smith, the parent company of Reliance water heaters, supplies Lowes with water heaters under the "Whirlpool" brand name.

('Ya gotta read to nearly the end of the linked writeup to glean that piece of info.)
Smith

dpendzic · Apr 15, 2015

I have had a reliance for 15 years and no problems

D beatty · Apr 15, 2015

I bought a 52 gallon ( stainless steel tank) Whirlpool with the computer board on top about 10 years ago. I bought it from Lowes.

IA Roy · Apr 15, 2015

Check with your electric company to see if they offer heaters or rebates on heaters. That may simplify your selection. Some years ago a friend needed one and the electric company gave it to him, or at least it was quite inexpensive. I don't know if the electric suppliers are doing any incentives any more or not.

Senator · Apr 15, 2015

I use the same Reliance water heaters (50 gal dual element) in both my home and my rental houses. In my area they're the best deal going. I get about 10 years out of them before the tank springs a leak.

Dean · Apr 15, 2015

Whatever you decide to buy, buy it now.

New federale regs go into effect today 04/15/2015 that will drive up costs significantly and force changes to short/fat designs.

Manufacturers can no longer make current designs after today so once the finished goods in the pipeline is gone you will be forced to pay about twice as much and probably replumb to make space.

Thanks, federales.

Dean

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 16, 2015

I'd buy the local one. Lowes is not your friend.

806man · Apr 16, 2015

A long, long time ago I use to haul water heaters from a distribution center out of Nashville, TN. I can not begin to tell you how many different brands of manufacturers decals they had. As the heater was brought to the truck they would stop and place the correct decal for what ever brand you were picking up. Heck, once I got some decals and had some fun when unloading by asking what brand did they want? As I understood way back then only a few companies actually made them.

showcrop · Apr 16, 2015

I know that for most of you electricity is a lot cheaper than here in NH, but I believe in hot water by oil. I put in a new boiler last fall, and along with it a Boilermate water heat exchanger, by Amtrol, for my hot water. Pretty much endless hot water for pretty low cost, once you get past the purchase price.

Indiana Ken · Apr 16, 2015

I bought a Whirlpool several years back - it has been a good unit. I switched from propane to electric since, 1) my basement is not heated, 2) I don't use a lot of hot water and 3) propane was about $3 per gallon back then. The Whirlpool has 3" of foam insulation as compared to 3/4" of fiberglass for the old unit. Also, the electric heater does not have the hole through the center which results in heat loss.

ss55 · Apr 16, 2015

Only a few manufactures make water heaters for many different brands and specifications within each brand. I would read the specifications and warranty for each one and then select the one that best fits your needs.

For me, the heaters with a nine year warranty have lasted over twice as long as those with a six year warranty.

Sean Feeney · Apr 16, 2015

Some Info
link

El Toro · Apr 16, 2015

My Sear's gas water heater lasted 19 years. It was called the Survivor and Sears replaced it free. Hal

D beatty · Apr 16, 2015

It's hard to buy local anymore because all the small guys are gone.Around here its Ace Hardware, Menards and Lowes. We do have have several large plumging suppliers but not much differane in them and the big box stores.

Geo-TH,In · Apr 16, 2015

I have 6 50 gallon life time whirpools in rentals. Never had a problem so far. Youngest one is 15 years old. Got it at Lowes. Not sure if they sell life times anymore.

Something about new regulations on water heater size just went in to effect or soon will. Not sure what it is. I think the tall ones are going to be gone.

I don't think it the water heater so much as it is water. My boy has a water softner on his city water. His 12 year Richmond water heater from menards only lasted 10 years. I think his problem was related to his city water, a water softner and possible someone cut off the anode. Even his brass pressure/temp valve had a hole in it along with many rust holes in the tank.

He bought a new water heater from Home depot thinking it would be an easy fix. Wrong.

A few days later I called Richmond, told them the problem. Richmond said go to Menards and the will give me a new 50 gallon water heater, even though my boy wasn't the original owner.

I've only used Whirlpools and had good luck.

D beatty · Apr 16, 2015

Years ago the freight line that I drove for deliveried water heater for Rheem out of Chicago,Ill. and at that time they only made heaters under their name. Never got see the waterheater itself because they were always boxed with their label.

sotxbill · Apr 16, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:23:10 04/16/15) My Sear's gas water heater lasted 19 years. It was called the Survivor and Sears replaced it free. Hal

How in the world... will you change out that heater... Its plumbed in permanent.... NO flex connections, no heat traps...You plumber locked you in... Why would someone do that?

Mike M · Apr 16, 2015

If you were or are in the Military than Lowe's will give you an extra 10% off IIRC.
If you are not than how about a friend or relative ? have them go with you to get it.

El Toro · Apr 16, 2015

You don't need any flex couplings. The gas line is flex to the water heater. The copper water lines can be cut with a tube cutter and sweat copper unions installed. Very easy hookup. Hal

Indiana Ken · Apr 16, 2015

(quoted from post at 07:04:02 04/16/15)

How in the world... will you change out that heater... Its plumbed in permanent.... NO flex connections, no heat traps...You plumber locked you in... Why would someone do that?

The heat traps can be in the water heater - they are on my Whirlpool. The installation guide cautioned against installing external heat traps due to the additional pressure drop. Yes - I prefer the flex lines and used them on mine.

HenryO · Apr 16, 2015

Over the years I have used many Reliance water heaters. Also, chances they are made by the same people. Lowes gives 10 percent to military or ex-military but a;so figure on the gas to drive to Lowes. I would probably pick the local Reliance. (ex plumber mechanical engineer)

showcrop · Apr 16, 2015

(quoted from post at 07:23:10 04/16/15) You don't need any flex couplings. The gas line is flex to the water heater. The copper water lines can be cut with a tube cutter and sweat copper unions installed. Very easy hookup. Hal

Hal, Is that first piece of flue pipe coming off your water heater aluminum? I don't think that Al is allowed in flue pipe.

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