Updated Sep. 12, 2024
There's nothing worse than not having hot water. We consulted expert plumbers and HVAC technicians to find the best water heater brand for homeowners.
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The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors recommends replacing water heaters every 10 years. Granted, yours might be past that age and still running well, but if it’s showing signs of corrosion, leaking or simply not providing you hot water when you need it, it might be time to find a new one.
We spoke with several plumbers and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians to find the best water heater brands for most people’s homes. Nearly everyone recommended A.O. Smith as the most reliable choice because their heaters last a long time, require little to no maintenance and operate efficiently to help you save on utility costs.
That said, our experts said other brands might be a better fit for certain homes or RVs, especially if you’re looking for a tankless heater. So, if you’re tired of only taking cold showers, continue reading to see which water heater brand is the right choice for you.
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A.O. Smith is a pioneer in water heating and water treatment solutions (the brand celebrates 150 years in business in 2024), so it’s no surprise it gets high marks from experts. Our panel of plumbers and HVAC technicians recommends it as the top brand, with five of our seven experts mentioning it.
“They are known for their long lifespan, superior build quality, and excellent warranties, providing peace of mind and great value,” says Mehdi Khachani, CEO of JMK Plumbing. A long lifespan is key because you don’t want to replace a water heater too frequently.
Patrick Sullivan, operations manager at John The Plumber, says that A.O. Smith water heaters “combine innovative technology with reliability.” One of their most popular models is the A.O. Smith Signature 500, a water heater with leak detection and automatic shut-off. A mobile app allows you to control the water heater remotely and receive notifications if there’s an issue.
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Rheem offers a wide variety of water heater types, and four out of our seven experts recommend it. The heaters were described as reliable, long lasting and energy efficient. The Rheem Performance Electric Water Heater has an automatic thermostat to keep your water at the desired temperature and a porcelain enamel inner tank for durability.
Rheem’s water heater has a uniform energy factor (UEF) of 0.93. A UEF is a unit of measurement that gauges a water heater’s effectiveness at using energy to heat the water instead of heating the tank and equipment itself. In other words, it will reduce your energy bills.
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Bradford White is also a well-recommended water heater brand, with three of our experts suggesting the company.
“They are renowned for their durability, reliability and eco-friendliness, making them a top choice for both residential and commercial applications,” says Lisa Purvins, owner and operator of Michigan-based HVAC company Pro-Tech Heating and Cooling. “When designing and manufacturing their products, we’ve seen that Bradford White goes above and beyond to create reliable and efficient water heaters using the latest technology.”
Her favorite Bradford White line is the Defender Safety System High-Efficiency Residential Water Heater, which prevents the ignition of flammable vapors. This not only prevents fires but helps extend the water heater’s lifespan. “Furthermore, their water heaters feature advanced control systems and high-quality thermostats that maintain precise water temperature, providing a consistent and dependable hot water supply,” Purvins says.
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EcoSmart is an environmentally-conscious company that specializes in tankless water heaters, which warm the water as it passes through the unit rather than storing hot water in a large tank. The U.S. Department of Energy says these types of heaters, which are especially good for campers or RVs, can be 24–34% more energy efficient than tank-style water heaters.
The 240-Volt Electric Tankless Water Heater has an adjustable thermostat, can deliver between 0.8 and 1.9 gallons of hot water per minute and promises to cut your energy bills by 50 percent compared to traditional water heaters. This water heater also comes with a limited lifetime warranty, whereas tanks are typically only covered from 6 to 12 years.
The downside is there’s a higher water heater installation cost since the unit has to be connected to your water system. The idea is that you’ll recoup that money with the energy and cost savings it provides.
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Rinnai has been in business for more than 100 years, so it has to be doing something right. The company specializes in propane or natural gas-powered tankless water heaters. These also have a high initial setup cost, though on the bright side, there are multiple options based on how much water per minute you need, ranging from 5.3 to 9.4 gallons per minute. Larger families will need a larger water delivery capacity, but their water heater will be more expensive than that of a smaller family.
The Rinnai Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater has an intuitive, adjustable thermostat, a relatively high UEF for a gas-powered water heater, Wi-Fi compatibility and multiple venting options. A tankless heater must also be flushed, and most experts recommend flushing your water heater annually to prevent sediment buildup.
According to experts, these are the key factors to consider in your search for a water heater replacement.
You’ll first want to consider which type of water heater you want. Right off the bat, people in campers or RVs should opt for a tankless water heater. These heat the water as it passes through the unit, rather than storing hot water in a large tank, and are more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than tanks, though they come with a high initial setup since they have to be connected to your home’s water system. This can include having a venting system if you opt for a gas-powered heater.
Speaking of which, you’ll also want to consider whether you want a gas-powered (either with propane or natural gas) or electric water heater. Electric water heaters are, of course, more environmentally friendly and generally more effective at using energy to heat water. They also tend to come with more smart features than gas-powered heaters, though the latter has come a long way in recent years.
Gas-powered water heaters, however, have a big advantage in that they have a quicker recovery time. This refers to the amount of time it takes for the water heater to bring new water up to your desired temperature. In other words, even if your partner hogs all the hot water (again), you won’t have to wait long until you can hop in. It goes without saying that gas-powered heaters are less safe due to the possibility of igniting flammable vapors and causing a fire.
If you’re going with a gas-powered water heater, it’s important to look for one with a strong hookup, preferably made from brass, to reduce the chances of a gas leak. Electric water heaters tend to come with more safety features, such as automatic shut-off. And this is actually a case where we’d call an app a safety feature.
These apps can let you know if your water heater has any issues, so you don’t have to spend hours waiting for a plumber to find out. This can lead to quicker repairs and getting your hot water back sooner rather than later.
This is primarily for those who choose tank-style water heaters, but a durable exterior is a must. Materials like porcelain prevent heat loss and are very heat resistant, so they can stay at high temperatures for long periods without cracking.
The Uniform energy factor (UEF) refers to how efficient a water heater is at using energy to heat water rather than the heater itself. A water heater is always going to lose some heat to keep the tank or other components at a certain temperature, depending on how hot you have the machine set at, but you still want to look for one that’s as close to 1.0 as possible.
Gas-powered water heaters will always have a lower UEF than electric water heaters.
For tank-style water heaters, look for one that’s appropriate for your home and family’s size. A three-bedroom home is going to need around 50 gallons, whereas smaller homes can go with 20 gallons. For a tankless water heater, look for how many gallons per minute it can heat and follow the same principle.
We’re all homeowners or people who have been involved in home improvement for many years. I’ve worked as a handyman at residential apartment units and New York City high-rises, which involved maintaining the water heaters or fixing them when the tenants lost hot water. Granted, those were much larger than the type of water heaters we’re talking about today.
That’s why I consulted seven plumbers and HVAC technicians to let me know the best water heater brands for homes. The experts used in this story have decades of experience in the plumbing or HVAC industries.
Our search for the best water heater brands began with consulting plumbers and HVAC technicians across the country. We asked them about their top brands, what they liked about them and if there were any lines or products they recommended. We tallied their votes to come up with our list. Additionally, we found other brands that were positively reviewed online.
Of the seven plumbing and HVAC experts we consulted, five chose A.O. Smith as the most reliable hot water heater brand because of its durability, energy efficiency and innovative technology. Our panel also highly recommended Rheem and Bradford White.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors says the average lifespan of a water heater is about 10 years, though it’s still safe to use past that if it’s in good condition. This means it shouldn’t have any signs of corrosion or leaking and should still be working efficiently.
A.O. Smith is slightly more expensive than Rheem, but it’s the most recommended water heater brand among our panel members and has a better warranty.
Originally Published: August 26, 2024
