Water Heater Ratings: Expert and User Reviews Ratings

Our AssessmentEditors compare the savings provided by four solar water heaters of three different types, using each one in conjunction with a standard electric storage-tank water heater. A separate review of tankless water heaters in October 2008 reports on tests of two gas tankless models by Takagi and Noritz, comparing them with three storage-tank water heaters based on energy costs, installation costs and ease of use. Durability is tested by simulation, running about 11 years' worth of very hard water (45,000 gallons) through a Rinnai tankless water heater and one tank-style heater. This review also tests the A.O. Smith Vertex, an expensive but energy-efficient model. A separate August 2009 review ranks six big retailers of large appliances, comparing them with independent appliance retailers bunched into one category, based on a survey of more than 24,000 subscribers. Although the tests done in 2007 on regular storage-tank water heaters don't result in ratings of specific brands or models, editors discover by sawing 18 different tanks in half that a 12-year warranty is the best guide to overall quality and durability (with the exception of one brand).

Our AssessmentThis review in a publication aimed at home builders recommends retrofitting an existing storage-tank water heater by adding the AirTap heat pump to it. It requires a drain, but the cool air the heat pump produces can be hooked into the home's air-conditioning system or vented elsewhere with an optional kit (*Est. $80). This review includes a link to an earlier Fine Homebuilding video review of the AirTap. A related October 2008 article, "Cheaper Hot Water" by Dave Yates, suggests six ways to lower water-heating costs. He recommends adding a thermal-expansion tank to any storage water heater that lacks one, to extend the life of the entire plumbing system as well as the water heater itself. Yates also discusses replacing an older storage water heater with a sealed-combustion gas model with better insulation and 90 percent efficiency. But he notes that more efficient water heaters can have lower recovery rates, so you may need a bigger tank. He also discusses recirculation systems, tankless water heaters, water-based heating systems and solar hot water systems (which he himself uses, along with a gravity-fed recirculation system). The fall/winter 2008 issue also reviews the Marathon water heater, recommending it for its leakproof construction and excellent warranty, and a November 2007 article discusses solutions to several problems often encountered with tankless water heaters, with cost estimates and full details.

Our AssessmentThis study discusses a survey of nearly 900 contractors and subcontractors about their satisfaction levels with water-heater and boiler manufacturers. Seven factors were measured: warranty and repair service, ordering process, credit/billing, delivery, price, sales and marketing support, and product, based on a 1,000-point scale. It's especially interesting that warranty service and repairs are more than twice as important to professional subcontractors as the product itself, which matches pretty well with owner-written reviews elsewhere. The actual product accounts for only 10 percent of the total satisfaction rating. Two water-heater manufacturers are considered above average: Bradford White, followed by Rheem/Ruud. Contractors rate A.O. Smith below average; this company makes water heaters sold under various brands, including Kenmore, Maytag, State, Reliance and Penfield.

Our AssessmentThe Rheem HP-50 hybrid water heater wins a 2009 Editor's Choice award at this publication aimed at building contractors. The January 2010 issue also gives an Editor's Choice award to the American Hometec tankless water heaters, praising the 15-year warranty as well as the coilless design that keeps the heating element away from water. A June 2009 article by the magazine's editor-in-chief discusses the potential impact of tax credits and other incentives on water-heater choices.

Our AssessmentThis article on tankless water heaters explains how they work, clears up some common misunderstandings (for example, that they provide unlimited hot water), and details the requirements for a tankless water-heating system. Bill Link concludes that for new construction, "they're almost a no-brainer." For replacing an existing storage-tank water heater, however, the installation costs and difficulties may be greater than any benefit. Seven manufacturers are listed, but no specific brands or models are recommended.

Our AssessmentThis forum discussion compares the GE Hybrid water heater with one made by Rheem. Even though GE water heaters are made by Rheem, there are significant differences between their hybrid water heaters. The GE hybrid takes the edge because its anode rod is replaceable, and the design is more efficient. It also gets reviews here, once right after installation and another after a month or two of use.

Our AssessmentNone of the five tankless water heaters reviewed here get good ratings. These include the Rinnai Tankless, Seisko R-22, Takagi TK-Jr., Takagi Flash TK-2 and Titan SCR-2. The average ratings for the Takagi models are based on about two dozen reviews each, but some of the other models have been rated by many more.

Our AssessmentAmazon.com makes it very convenient to browse through the list of water heaters because you can sort the list by average rating, by best sellers, or search for a specific brand. Few traditional storage-tank water heaters are reviewed here, though two Rheem natural gas models stand out. Several Bosch Ariston point-of-use water heaters get mostly positive reviews here, as do a few Rinnai and Bosch gas tankless water heaters and an electric tankless model by Stiebel Eltron.

Our AssessmentHome Depot publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of the water heaters it sells. Brands are limited, but sizes and types cover the gamut. Most models get mostly positive reviews here, but a few stand out.

Our AssessmentPlumbing and building contractors discuss water heaters and other plumbing topics here. This particular discussion includes quite a few brand comparisons. You can also search the forum for "water heater" to see other relevant topics. Some of the brand comparisons and stories about getting repair parts are quite illuminating.

Our AssessmentThis brief video and print review covers the installation of the 50-gallon GE Hybrid water heater plus its initial use. About a dozen readers add comments, including a warning from an HVAC technician that high summer humidity can reduce the heater's efficiency. This site contains many useful videos and articles on water heaters of all types.

Our AssessmentThis is an update to an earlier review of the 180,000 BTU Rinnai 2520 tankless water heater that was done shortly after its installation. The author replaced a regular storage-tank water heater with the Rinnai, so installation took two days and wasn't cheap. He still figures he's saving a significant amount of money over the best storage-tank water heater available at the time, and despite some minor drawbacks, is very happy about his choice.

Our AssessmentThis plumbing contractor posts lots of photos of the tankless water heaters he installs, describing details of how various problems are solved and how the systems work. If you're curious about tankless water heaters in real homes, this is a good blog to check. The author is enthusiastic about the condensing technology and recirculating systems used with the Navien NR series -- which he notes are a slight update to the Navien CR tankless water heaters.

Our AssessmentThis site publishes owners' complaints, so there are no positive reviews here. Some are hair-raising, covering more than one brand, including American Water Heaters, Whirlpool (made by the same company) and American Home Shield. The site also has an article on the Whirlpool class action suit covering certain water heaters sold before a redesign in 2007. Many complaints focus on gas water heaters with defective pilot lights.

Our AssessmentThis is a page of assorted comments from Berkeley-area residents about their experiences with tankless water heaters -- primarily by Aquastar, Noritz and Takagi -- giving a good overview of pros and cons of tankless water heaters in various situations.