Anyone know about water heater brands??



Anyone know anything about Bradford White?



Are they like Hondas or Cadillacs in the water heater world?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Which type? Instant tankless or conventional. I checked via my consumer reports and they only had generic info. Beyond that, a Google search indicated they have various types.
Steve

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Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.

Conventional type, 50 gallons... I will get a model # in a few mins.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

They are just a mid-line heater.........probably last 6-10 years depending on water quality..........but, I'll bet they are cheap ($300 or so).

Bradford White is mid-range, and also a good heater. Up on the food chain is Ruud, and then Lochinvar. How much you want to pay depends on how long you plan to be in that particular house. 8-10 yrs is average for the BW, but it is not uncommon for them to last much longer. A lot depends on your water,is it hard water,a well system etc... Whichever one you choose,make sure you purge it 2 times a year to release the sediment,by doing this you will add more years to the tank.

look into marathon heaters

Why don't you get an instantaneous water heater? Believe me, nat gas is not going to get any cheaper.

Cost of retrofit, and the fact that its covered by my home warranty....

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

All I will say is I am sooo happy I junked the tank heater and put in a 199,000 BTU Rheem Instant gas.

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

This guy has a good site:

http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/

And he has a forum there called "the tank". If you post a question he will answer it. Lots of good info. You can extend the life greatly by flushing and regular inspection of the anode rod (and replacement when needed). It is actually a little tricky but you can get the thing to last a long time if you want to. He sells a replacement drain valve kit but you can get a ball valve from Home Depot. The little valve they put on at the factory is a toy basically and doesn't drain very well.

I bought a GE from Home Depot and I think it was actually made by Rheem but I could be wrong. It has the anode rod as a seperate piece and that's what I wanted. I think the Bradford has the anode rod as part of the dip tube so it is a lot harder to inspect. But 99% of people don't ever check. (probably 99.9%).

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

The cost of retrofit is almost none.

If I want to install the tankless, I have to move the water heater across the garage to a wall that has nothing on the outside of it....


My old tank is leaking a little bit right now, so I am weighing my options..

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I have at least 15 of them in my building. In seven years of use I think maybe we have had one that required replacment.

They weren't too expensive.

I would have said Chebby on quality.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The little leak is impending disaster,the time to make a move is soon. Tanks usually let go at the most inoportune time, say middle of the nite, or when you are absent.

Thats what I was looking for!


Thanks Tom W.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.