Are you happy with your hot water heater? What kind would you recommend?

[Dover]

I hate mine and although I may 'only' need to replace the thermocoupler, it's not the first time
I've had to do it, and I'm really tired of dealing with it. AND this unit is built so it is hard
to even get to the tc, so may have to call in a $100 repair for what should be a $6 part and easy replacement. ARGH!!!!

BTW the original water heaer lasted over 20 years, but this newer one (laughably called Reliance), is not more than 6 years old.

So what which kind would you recommend?

[NMDemDist2]

1. guess this isn't a very 'sexy' topic Dover

:hi:

In PHX we installed a tankless system that was nice, now we have a locally mnf unit

if your water is fairly soft and you have the 220 volt (or propane) available a tankless is definitely worth considering

:hi:

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

2. Seems to be a common problem

however I think you are already on to the cure. You need a good tank. (1) You need one that is service friendly and requires little maintenance. How would I research that? Would my gas company know something about that?

GE still comes highly recommended. Some people buy from Sears/kmart.

Most leaks research shows are a result of the inner wall. However a quality tank doesn't seem to have such reoccurring problems.

Tanks come with 6,9, 12 and life time grantees. Which type do you have ?

[Dover]

4. See my above post.

[Dover]

3. You aint kiddin' - nothing sexy about it....until you need one.

I'm considering a tankless. There's a Bosch unit for sale at a store near me, but will have to do more research. I've heard now more than once that as far as regular water heaters go, Bradford Whites are supposed to be among the most reliable and easiest to work on.
http://www.bradfordwhite.com/hb_energystar.asp

It's hard to do research and make a well thought out decision when the kitchen dishes are piling up and you haven't had a shower for two days...lol! So for now I may just opt for a 'simple' repair.

[eleny]

5. Very satisfied after almost 2 years

We have a State brand - Select model gas heater. Edited to add that it was recommended by the plumber. We were having lots of plumbing work done like a new bathroom and more. So we weren't doing this work ourselves as we'd done in the past.

It's very quick to heat water. Hubby can take a very long shower and I can take one right after and have never run out of hot water.

We'll need to replace another water heater soon. If we don't get an on demand system, we'll get a State but a smaller one than the one being replaced since it heats the water so fast.

This is their web page http://www.stateind.com/prod/res-gas.html

[ret5hd]

6. I recommend a tankless water heater.

We've had ours for 5 or 6 yrs now, and we are very pleased. About the size of a large phone book, and we "gained" a closet large enough to put our dishwasher.

[NMDemDist2]

7. +1 n/t

[yy4me]

8. Funny you should ask! I was happy with mine until I got up today.

The sump pump was running a mile a minute and hot water was sprouting out of the base. It was out of warranty, does not owe me anything but why does this have to happen on a Sunday AM/ Plus, I have no idea what to expect should the plummer get back to me. The last time we had one replaced, in 2001 it was about $400.00 for a 40 gal gas tank with a 6 year guarantee. We have always had about 8 or 9 years from a 6 year tank.

Sometimes these things around the house get to be too much to handle when it's just me.

No choice but what a pain.

I turned off the H2O on a faucet type thing on top and turned the dial to off. Don't know what else to do now except wait for a return phone call.

It is a lesson in getting a job done before it all goes to heck on you. With money tight, this could have not happen at a worse time. Just something else to add to my list. I have news, bad things come in more that 3's.

[yy4me]

9. In case you are curious, the plummer just left. He is coming over

tomorrow AM. New 6 year gas heater, all parts and labor, $700.00. Oh well.