We've grown to depend on our water heaters, and when they need to be replaced we're reminded of the important role they play to our daily comfort and convenience. So as you prepare to purchase a new one you might find yourself asking if one brand of water heater is more reliable than another?
In this article we'll take a look at a few of the most reliable water heater brands on the market today. The average water heater will only last 8 to 12 years, but by purchasing a long-lasting water heater brand, and performing consistent and proper maintenance, you could get as many as 20-years of service.
Longest-Lasting Water Heater: Rheem Marathon
There's some great water heater brands on the market today, and any of the ones we list in this article would be a good choice. But it's hard to go wrong with a Rheem, and specifically the Rheem Marathon water heater.
Rheem promotes the Marathon as "The last water heater you'll ever need to buy". Although this is a marketing tag-line, it's actually true since the water heater comes with a lifetime tank warranty.
This water heater is made to last, which is why it's our number one choice for reliable and long-lasting water heaters.
With its seamless plastic tank liner which prevents rust and corrosion, and heating elements made of titanium, this water heater is built to be in service for a very long time.
But with that said, it's not for everybody. It has a wider design that allows for more insulation to improve its energy efficiency, however, that also means it simply takes up more space.
The Rheem Marathon may also be out of some homeowners budgets. The focus on quality and longevity comes at a price. However, the extended service life of the Marathon should more than make up for the upfront cost.
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Most Reliable Water Heater Brands
Nobody likes buying and installing a new water heater. It's not only expensive, but it's also a big hassle. However, buying a reliable brand will help you get the most out of your water heater, and keep you from needing to replace it in a couple of years.
Here's our list of most reliable water heater brands on the market today:
Rheem
When it comes to well respected and highly recognized water heater providers, Rheem is a brand that often comes to mind. The company was founded by two brothers out of California in 1925, and has since become one of the leaders in whole-home comfort appliances and products.
Rheem is the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America, while also providing a variety of other heating, cooling and home enhancement products.
Their comprehensive line of water heater models include designs for both residential as well as larger commercial spaces. It includes tankless condensing units, tankless electric units, hybrid water heaters, tank-style gas and electric units, solar water heaters and combination boilers (space heating & water heating).
Rheem water heater products feature EcoNet Smart Monitoring Systems which are powered by the latest in sensor technology to provide excellent protection, energy savings and overall comfort.
This monitoring system provides timely maintenance and product care alerts to the free EcoNet mobile app so customers can stay informed on how to properly maintain their products. The app also offers users the ability to change their unit’s settings at the touch of a button for easy home comfort adjustments.
Rheem is also proud to offer high quality professional assistance online and over the phone with streamlined service calls that can help with any issue.
Their products are built for reliability and efficiency, and they all come with a long-term warranty plan option to give customers an extra sense of security.
A.O. Smith
A.O. Smith is considered one of the industry leaders in water heaters and storage tanks, and have been providing hot water solutions for over 70 years.
The company values innovation and efficiency, and with over 140 years of overall expertise in the space, they continuously provide high quality, reliable water heaters.
A.O Smith has developed an incredibly diverse line of water heaters, with well over 600 different models available to accommodate both commercial and residential spaces.
Their commercial water heater models range from natural gas and propane designs, to electric units in a variety of sizes (light, medium, heavy duty), and tankless, space saving models.
They even have a number of specialty gas and oil-fired models for high hot water output with a small footprint, and larger scale accommodations.
Their residential heaters are designed to be perfect for the modern day home. They come in a variety of styles as well, including electric, gas, high-efficiency gas, and tankless models.
A.O Smith has developed state-of-the art engineering facilities and laboratories, that strive to conduct comprehensive testing with the latest technology so they can deliver the most advanced and innovative water heater designs.
The sheer dedication this company has for designing, engineering and producing the highest quality water heaters speaks to the brand’s values and reliability their products deliver.
Each model is built with the best quality products and equipped with technology that ensures durability, reliability and long-lasting functionality.
Their water heaters come with extended-year tank and parts warranties to provide customers with the peace of mind that they desire.
Rinnai
Rinnai is another one of the most internationally well known brands that manufactures and distributes tankless water heating units.
They are arguably #1 in the production of these appliances in North America, and stand as the first major tankless water heater brand to manufacture their units in the United States.
Incorporated in Japan in 1920 by Hidejirt Naito and Kanekichi Hayashi, Rinnai has been developing cutting edge technology tankless water heaters consistently ever since.
Rinnai offers a wide selection of high quality tankless water heaters that can cater to virtually any space’s hot water needs, both commercial and residential.
Their products feature compact designs for easy installation and space saving, durability, longevity and even wi-fi/smartphone capabilities for an extra dimension of control and convenience.
Customers will be able to make their purchase with confidence as Rinnai offers water heaters that are proven to be extremely reliable and built to last. Their units are designed with innovative technology that provides maximum energy efficiency, earning them Energy Star certification.
Tankless water heaters provide a number of advantages over tank-style water heaters. They are known to last up to twice as long, save a substantial amount of energy by heating water only when necessary, and provide an easily maintainable and cost-effective tankless unit that helps avoid expensive repairs and replacements.
When it comes to what brand of water heater is the most reliable, Rinnai is definitely a front-runner thanks to its high quality products, trustworthy expertise, and comprehensive warranty and part protection plans.
Bradford White
Because Bradford White water heaters can only be purchased through a network of authorized dealers, they are often overlooked in the residential market place.
However, these US made water heaters come in a wide range of commercial and residential options in both tank-style and tankless designs.
As a general rule, the warranty is about 10-years, but the water heater must be installed by a certified plumber to be valid.
Quality, innovation, and customer service are all core beliefs of the Bradford White Corporation. And should you need to contact their support line, you'll talk with a pro who'll help you resolve your issue.
If you're willing to pay top dollar for a superior product, you can't go wrong with a Bradford White water heater.
Other Brands Worth Considering
There are a number of other brands that have proven to deliver reliable and long-lasting water heaters. Any of these brands are worth considering.
Bosch
Another well known brand on the international level is Bosch, who offers a wide variety of products, from power tools to household appliances.
Bosch was founded in 1886 in Stuttgart, Germany, and the brand has since become an icon for high quality, reliable products. In addition they've been recognized for being on the forefront of technological innovation and development.
Their water heaters are, like everything else they make, extremely well built, efficient and reliable. In addition, they offer some of the most comprehensive warranties around.
Bosch is definitely a brand that produces highly reliable water heaters, and their products are well worth your consideration.
American Standard
The American Standard brand has developed through a variety of mergers and name changes over time. But it stands as one of the leaders in kitchen and bathroom development and innovation for over 100 years.
Although this brand may not be known specifically for its water heaters, it has been producing a great selection of well-built, reliable water heaters for many years.
Its product suite includes water heaters for both residential and commercial locations - offering electric, natural gas, propane and high efficiency gas models.
American Standard is known for their larger, more powerful water heater models that are suited for large-scale spaces, as opposed to their residential units.
Most of their units are more expensive than comparable models from other providers, but offer guaranteed premium quality.
In terms of warranty and protection, American Standard products offer medium-length warranty plans of up to 4 years, which is not as comprehensive as some other brands.
Kenmore
Although commonly known for household appliances, Kenmore makes a great line of quality reliable water heaters.
Built for efficiency, and aiming to maximize output while saving energy and cutting costs, Kenmore water heaters are simply a solid performer. They offer several styles, including electric, natural gas, propane and hybrid models.
Kenmore was founded in 1913 and has since established itself as a trustworthy producer of high quality home appliances and other home comfort products.
On top of a great selection of reliable water heater units, this company is dedicated to backing its products by offering long-term and comprehensive warranties of 6 to 12 years in length.
Most Reliable Portable Water Heater
If you enjoy camping, have a cabin, or simply need a water heater that you can move from place-to-place, you'll want a portable water heater. There's quite a few different brands on the market, but when it comes to reliability, Camplux is hard to beat.
Camplux Enjoy Outdoor Life
Camplux Enjoy Outdoor Life is part of the JAI group that's dedicated to developing and delivering simple and efficient lifestyle outdoor products. With over 18 years of experience in the gas and electric industries, JAI group has become one of the leaders in home appliances.
Although known for their portable outdoor tankless water heaters, Camplux also offers a comprehensive line of residential tankless units in both gas and electric.
In terms of reliability, all of Camplux's water heaters are designed with innovative protection technology that keeps them functioning for longer, and protects the user.
Each model comes with an adjustable thermostat that has a "freeze protection" setting to prevent unused water left in the unit from freezing when temperatures drop.
Overall, Camplux water heaters offer a level of versatility, quality and reliability that makes them a trusted provider.