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 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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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