Purchasing the right water heater can have a huge impact on your home's energy efficiency as well as the annual cost of your energy bill. However, there are dozens of water heater manufacturers on the market to choose between. This can make it somewhat difficult to identify which brand you should select.
One of the most popular options among consumers in the United States is American Standard. This company has a long track record of making high-quality water heaters. they also have many different models to choose between.
Who is American Standard?
American Standard is one of the oldest manufacturers of water heaters and other plumbing products in the United States. The company has been a leader in the industry for more than 140 years, and it's this track-record of success that has led to three out of five United States homes having at least one American Standard appliance.
The company is based out of North America and offers a wide range of both residential and commercial products. Water heaters are just one of the popular appliances that American Standard manufactures.
Types of American Standard Water Heaters
American Standard manufactures both electric and gas water heaters. These can be splint into three different main categories, each of which possesses unique features. Here's an overview of each:
Electric Water Heaters
American Standard makes electric water heaters, which are available in 40, 46, and 50-gallon capacities. These heaters can also be purchased in either short or tall configurations. This give you many different ways to find the best electric water heater for your home.
All electric water heaters from American Standard have fully automatic thermostats. These typically have an input ranging from between 6 to 54 kilowatts.
Additionally, each model fully complies with all ANSI, NAECA, and energy efficiency requirements. Finally, each electric model also includes your choice of a 6 or 12-year warranty both for the tank itself and its components.
GSN Low NOx
These American Standard water heaters run on either natural gas or LP gas. They're made out of a heavy-gauge steel and feature glass-lined tanks, which works to protect against corrosion inside of the tank.
One of the best features of GSN Low NOx heaters is their self-cleaning ability. This makes them a practically maintenance-free way to meet your home's water heating needs. GSN Low NOx models are available with capacities of 30, 40, or 50 gallons, and even larger with their commercial line. They typically have a BTU input which ranges from 76,100 to 512,000 BTU based on the model.
Tankless Condensing Water Heaters
Finally, tankless condensing water heaters are the last major group of American Standard heaters. These run on either LP or natural gas and are capable of heating between 11 and 12 gallons of water each minute (GPM).
Tankless condensing water heaters have BTU input ranges from 18,000 to 199,000 and offer an impressive thermal efficiency rating of 92%. Even better, all models in this category are both Energy Star and ETL certified. This signifies that the water heaters consume anywhere from 15 to 55% less energy than most other water heaters.
If you decide to purchase a tankless condensing water heater, you can choose between a 5-year or 12-year heat exchanger warranty. You'll also get a unit that features a precision thermostat and a built-in gas leak detector for added security.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of American Standard water heaters:
Advantages
The first benefit of purchasing an American Standard water heater is durability. The company prides itself on building heaters that last longer than the competition. They achieve this by constructing their tanks with a heavy-gauge steel interior, which is fortified with a fiberglass filler, that prevents corrosion and makes the tank last even longer.
Additionally, American Standard has always been committed to innovation. This is a focus they've brought to their line of water heaters. The company is constantly bringing out new products and upgrading the models they've already introduced to the market.
This means that if you purchase a new water heater from American Standard, you can be sure that it's going to feature some of the best technology on the market.
It will also be difficult to find a water heater that has a better warranty than the ones offered by American Standard. Each water heater comes with a standard 6-year warranty, which covers the costs of most issues that you might encounter.
If you pay a little extra, you can extend the warranty to 12-years. Considering that the average water heater lasts for 15 years, you could have coverage for almost the entire lifespan of your appliance.
Disadvantages
Like any product, you'll always find customer complaints, and reading reviews is a good way to familiarize yourself with some of the issues. But when doing so, it's important to look for trends, rather than isolated incidents. If you see an issue consistently coming up, it's likely that this is something you may experience as well.
One such concern is the warranty. Although it's nice to have the option to extend the warranty up to 12 years, there are limitations, some of which include the components. Reading the fine print will ensure you have a good understanding of what is and is not covered . . . and for how long.
Cost
When comparing the cost of a water heater it's a good idea to look at more than just the initial price tag. Installation, warranty, brand reputation, and of course, the upfront cost of the heater all contribute to the overall value.
American Standard is competitively priced for both the tank-style water heaters and tankless models. And when you factor in that American Standard is one of the most respected brands in the industry, as well as the long track record of manufacturing quality water heaters that stand out above the market, it's fair to say that any extra expenses are likely a good investment.
Even if you spend an extra $100 or so for an American Standard heater, the length of the warranty offered justifies the additional cost.
Top Sellers
Here are the top three American Standard water heaters:
American Standard CE-20-AS 19-Gallon Water Heater
The CE-20-AS 19-gallon point-of-use electric water heater by American Standard is one of the most popular heaters on the market by this manufacturer. It features the company's classic heavy-gauge steel tank design which is lined with Dura Glass to offer excellent corrosion protection.
The brass drain valve makes performing maintenance easy, and the tank is 100% hydrostatically factory tested and certified to 150 psi working pressure. This heater is a great choice for wet bars or sinks that are far from the main heater. The 19-gallon size makes the water heater extremely versatile and it's small enough to fit on a shelf or under a cabinet.
American Standard 19-Gallon Point-of-Use Electric Water Heater
American Standard Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
American Standard's best-selling tankless condensing water heater is the TCWH180S-AS-NG Ultra Low NOx Condensing Water Heater. The ultra low NOx combustion system can be converted in the field to run on either liquid propane or natural gas. With an impressive 96% efficiency rating, it's clear that this tankless heater was built with energy conservation in mind.
It's equipped with two heat exchangers constructed of 304 grade stainless steel, and the TCWH180S-AS-NG can deliver up to 11 gallons of water per minute (GPM), which can satisfy the hot water demands of large households.
American Standard Ultra Low NOX Tankless Water Heater
American Standard 80-Gallon Natural Gas Water Heater
The American Standard D-80-199-AS Natural Gas Water Heater is an 80-gallon commercial grade heater that features everything you'd expect from this manufacturer. It's equipped with 4 anode rods and a Dura Glas lined tank to provide extra protection from corrosion.
Saving energy and reducing fuel costs is a priority with this heater. The motorized flue damper is designed to reduce heat loss, and the tank is insulated with non-cfc foam to maximize heat retention. Collectively, these features make this American Standard water heater one of the most powerful on the market.
If you're looking for a commercial grade heater or simply a high performing heater that can deliver for your home, the D-80-199-AS is worth a close look. It's on the higher-end of the price scale, but it's performance and attention to service life longevity and energy efficiency are hard to beat.
American Standard Ultra Low NOX Tankless Water Heater
How to Maintain an American Standard Water Heater
Taking good care of your American Standard water heater can both extend the unit's life and help it operate more efficiently. One way to do this is to periodically check the water heater's pressure relief valve to make sure that this important safety device is properly working.
You should also drain the tank periodically to remove the sediment from your water heater. That being said, many American Standard water heaters have self-cleaning features that make maintenance much easier, and may reduce the frequency of maintenance.
Still, water heaters are complex appliances that can be difficult to repair if you don't know what you're doing. One of the best ways to ensure that your water heater lasts as long as possible is to have it inspected by a professional regularly.
Having this done just once a year could have a huge impact on both the lifespan and efficiency of your American Standard water heater.