Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there are 3
likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.

GE Smar****er (from Home Depot)
Whirlpool (From Lowes)
Kenmore (Sears)

Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a
better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?

Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty?
My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO Smith)
lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd one,
which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.

Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my quality of
water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try and
replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on a
warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood my
basement again.


Steve

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

I used to wrok for Sears. I avoid them when possible. They like to use off
spec parts (so you have to go back to them) and in 1996 when I worked for
them, they run their guys hard. Speed, but not quality.

--

Christopher A. Young
Jesus: The Reason for the Season
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there are 3
likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.

GE Smar****er (from Home Depot)
Whirlpool (From Lowes)
Kenmore (Sears)

Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a
better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?

Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty?
My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO Smith)
lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd one,
which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.

Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my quality of
water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try and
replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on a
warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood my
basement again.


Steve

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

Gas tankless are supposed to last 3 to 4 times longer, cost less to
operate. Aquastar, and Takagi are top brands. You will pay now but
save down the road

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 16:35:03 -0500, Steve wrote:

I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there are 3
likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.

GE Smar****er (from Home Depot)
Whirlpool (From Lowes)
Kenmore (Sears)

Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a
better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?

Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty?
My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO Smith)
lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd one,
which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.

Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my quality of
water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try and
replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on a
warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood my
basement again.


Steve

I'd get the 6-year model and install a water alarm and drain pan
that's piped to the outside.

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

Jeez, that's a really quick death for an AO Smith. We got about 18 years
out of our last one.

I just replaced it this autumn with a GE from HD; their GE's aren't really
GE; they're made by Rheem, if that helps any.

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

Water heaters are relatively inexpensive and generally fairly easy to
replace. I wouldn't bother with the extended warranty.

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

The difference between the 6 year and the 12 year is not only the warranty.
The sacrificial anode on the 12 year is more long lasting than on the six.
To me, I think it's worth the difference.
--
Peace,
BobJ

"Des Perado" wrote in message
...
Water heaters are relatively inexpensive and generally fairly easy to
replace. I wouldn't bother with the extended warranty.

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

How hot do you set the temp on the water heater?

If its set that its necessary to add cold water to take a bath or shower its
set to hot and costing you $$.

IF its to hot is that a reason for the short life?

Tom.
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there are 3
likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.

GE Smar****er (from Home Depot)
Whirlpool (From Lowes)
Kenmore (Sears)

Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a
better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?

Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty?
My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO Smith)
lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd one,
which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.

Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my quality of
water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try and
replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on a
warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood my
basement again.


Steve

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

In article ,
"tflfb" wrote:

How hot do you set the temp on the water heater?

If its set that its necessary to add cold water to take a bath or shower its
set to hot and costing you $$.

IF its to hot is that a reason for the short life?

Definitely not set too high.

I'm in a development of houses where all our water heaters failed around
the same time. We could see each other's water heaters on the street
waiting for trash pickup. I think it's just the quality of water here,
and we all had AO Smith 6 year warranty gas water heaters.

My main fear isn't that the water heater dies and I have no hot water.
After all, I can get a water heater installed the same day from most
places locally, within hours, but my concern is another flooded basement
and damaged items, but as long as I'm going to get a new one, I might as
well get one with a solid reputation.

I've gotten some interesting helpful responses, but it seems that nobody
prefers a GE over a Whirlpool or AO Smith. I'd have to think that one
of these would be better than the other, right?


Steve




Tom.
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there are 3
likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.

GE Smar****er (from Home Depot)
Whirlpool (From Lowes)
Kenmore (Sears)

Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a
better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?

Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty?
My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO Smith)
lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd one,
which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.

Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my quality of
water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try and
replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on a
warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood my
basement again.


Steve

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

I am concerned about my 10 yr old gas water heater, listen to this a guy I
work with has a 30 yr old water heater, I can't believe it. We live in the
Midwest.

Tom
"Steve" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"tflfb" wrote:

How hot do you set the temp on the water heater?

If its set that its necessary to add cold water to take a bath or shower
its
set to hot and costing you $$.

IF its to hot is that a reason for the short life?

Definitely not set too high.

I'm in a development of houses where all our water heaters failed around
the same time. We could see each other's water heaters on the street
waiting for trash pickup. I think it's just the quality of water here,
and we all had AO Smith 6 year warranty gas water heaters.

My main fear isn't that the water heater dies and I have no hot water.
After all, I can get a water heater installed the same day from most
places locally, within hours, but my concern is another flooded basement
and damaged items, but as long as I'm going to get a new one, I might as
well get one with a solid reputation.

I've gotten some interesting helpful responses, but it seems that nobody
prefers a GE over a Whirlpool or AO Smith. I'd have to think that one
of these would be better than the other, right?


Steve




Tom.
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there are
3
likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.

GE Smar****er (from Home Depot)
Whirlpool (From Lowes)
Kenmore (Sears)

Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a
better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?

Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty?
My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO Smith)
lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd
one,
which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.

Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my quality
of
water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try
and
replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on a
warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood
my
basement again.


Steve

Another Hot Water Heater Question
 

WHEN (not if) my current gas water heater (tank type) goes out, I will
replace it with one of the new tankless models. They are very energy
efficient because they only heat water when someone turns on the hot water
tap. There are a variety of sizes for different household requirements, and
they are capable of producing plenty of hot water.

Something for you to think about.

Steve Johnson
"tflfb" wrote in message
...
I am concerned about my 10 yr old gas water heater, listen to this a guy I
work with has a 30 yr old water heater, I can't believe it. We live in the
Midwest.

Tom
"Steve" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"tflfb" wrote:

How hot do you set the temp on the water heater?

If its set that its necessary to add cold water to take a bath or
shower
its
set to hot and costing you $$.

IF its to hot is that a reason for the short life?

Definitely not set too high.

I'm in a development of houses where all our water heaters failed around
the same time. We could see each other's water heaters on the street
waiting for trash pickup. I think it's just the quality of water here,
and we all had AO Smith 6 year warranty gas water heaters.

My main fear isn't that the water heater dies and I have no hot water.
After all, I can get a water heater installed the same day from most
places locally, within hours, but my concern is another flooded basement
and damaged items, but as long as I'm going to get a new one, I might as
well get one with a solid reputation.

I've gotten some interesting helpful responses, but it seems that nobody
prefers a GE over a Whirlpool or AO Smith. I'd have to think that one
of these would be better than the other, right?


Steve




Tom.
"Steve" wrote in message
...
I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there
are
3
likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.

GE Smar****er (from Home Depot)
Whirlpool (From Lowes)
Kenmore (Sears)

Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a
better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?

Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty?
My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO
Smith)
lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd
one,
which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.

Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my
quality
of
water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try
and
replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on
a
warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood
my
basement again.


Steve