Water Heater Review

Choosing a water heater

Water heaters have to meet certain minimum standards for safety and energy efficiency, and pricing for most water heaters varies regionally. It's not surprising, therefore, that most expert reviews provide guidelines on choosing a water heater, but don't rate or recommend specific brands or models. Consumer Reports magazine, for example, doesn't rate specific water heaters against each other, but editors do provide a helpful cost comparison and discussion about payback time if you choose a tankless water heater over a standard storage-tank model.

We also found good articles at FineHomebuilding.com, covering all the basic water heater types, including tankless, solar and tank-style water heaters and various combinations thereof. A J.D. Power and Associates survey of plumbing contractors is valuable for ranking the three main manufacturers of gas and electric storage-tank water heaters, the most common type.

With many utility rates at an all-time high, interest in energy-efficient water heaters is increasing. New Energy Star ratings for water heaters kicked in on Jan. 1, 2009, so you'll now find Energy Star-rated gas storage and tankless water heaters. That same month, GE announced the first hybrid electric water heater, which builds a heat pump right into the tank-style water heater.

Federal tax credits for installing energy-efficient water heaters have been extended. You can get a credit for 30 percent of the cost of buying and installing a solar water heater for new or existing homes through 2016. Credits for up to 30 percent of the cost (up to $1,500) are also available for Energy Star-rated gas or propane tankless water waters as well as electric heat pump water heaters. A few storage-tank gas-fueled water heaters qualify, but they must exceed Energy Star efficiency quite a bit, with an energy factor (EF) rating of 0.82 (Energy Star guidelines require gas storage water heaters to have an EF rating of 0.62).

Designs, costs, and local incentives vary tremendously across the country, but we found the best guide to calculating payback rates at FindSolar.com. Solar hot water heaters are tested and rated by the nonprofit Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), and the Solar Roof Skyline kits get enthusiastic coverage at the U.S. Department of Energy website. Our Useful Links section contains many links to more information about solar hot water heater designs and options.

It's easy to judge water heaters only by their energy efficiency, price, or warranty length, but reviews say this is a big mistake. Warranty length can be a clue to the amount of insulation or other construction details, but both contractors and owners say warranty service is a lot more important. We found many hair-raising complaints from owners of water heaters with 12-year warranties. Warranties usually cover only parts, not labor, and most warranties are valid only for the original owner -- voided as soon as the house is sold. Some warranties require odd things like proof that a barely accessible lint filter has been cleaned every three months. Even a warranty still in force isn't much comfort if parts and technical support aren't available or there are long delays in obtaining them -- or worse, the tank leaks, flooding your house.

Several reviews and plumbing forums agree that Bradford White water heaters have the best reputation for build quality and rapid repairs. Rheem/Ruud, which also makes water heaters under the GE, Marathon and Richmond brands, comes in a close second. One of the largest water heater manufacturers, A.O. Smith, makes some very energy-efficient water heaters under its own brand name, as well as Kenmore, Whirlpool and several other water-heater brands. However, contractors rank A.O. Smith water heaters well below average, and owners reviewing Kenmore and Whirlpool water heaters agree.

Reviews suggest checking with a trusted plumber as the best way to make sure repairs will be swift and cost-effective. Some energy-efficient water heaters use circuit boards that are easily damaged but require replacement, making these water heaters very costly to repair. Other models may also require special-order parts that delay repairs; meanwhile you have no hot water.