Electric water heaters advise, please.

[old bear]

Our 15 year old, 40 gallon heater is on its last legs, and due to be replaced.

Checking online Lowe’s is offering two different models that look good. Both are 50 gallon capacity with a 12 year warranty. These are a Whirlpool and the other is a Craftmaster brand.

Has anyone had any experience, either good or bad, with either of these brands. I’m also open to other suggestions.

Thanks All

 

[Comrad]

If you can convert to gas you would save some real cash. I ran an electric how water heater and paid dearly and when it finally went I converted to gas and never looked back.
I would also think about if you really need or want to heat 50 gallons of water if you don't really need that much. A 40 is usually sufficient for a couple of showers and some laundry.
Is Lowes your only option? Shop a plumbing supply you might find a better deal or at least a better maker. A.O. Smith is big in my neck of the woods.

 

[arjay]

I'd get a few bids on converting to gas (gas line and vent will cost a bit) and see how many years until the fuel savings pay off.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Brand name on hot water heaters means very little.
Numerous brands are built by a few makers.
Price, warranty and fuel efficiency are what you should compare.

 

[old bear]

Conversion to gas is not an option. As for the 50 gallon upgrade, I'm kinda like Tim Taylor, More is better..

Still open to suggestions, please.

 

[radar1972]

I replaced my leaking gas WH a few months back with a gas Whirlpool from Lowes. Easy to install, good instructions, good warranty, good peformance so far. An electric model will be even easier to install.

 

[arjay]

I'm pretty sure that the difference in prices on the same sized heaters just pays for the longer warranty.

 

[Maddog 521]

The Rheem Marathon water heater is guaranteed not to leak for as long as you own your home. Worth a look but $$$$$

 

[Pete99004]

You might check on Reliance water heaters (available at Ace Hardware stores). I have had very good service life on these units and the prices are very competitive with the big box stores. We have two W/Heaters because of the layout of our home. The one I just put in replaced a unit I have had for 20 years and only had to replace heat elements once in that time frame. My other unit is currently 17 years old and no issues so far - not even the elements have needed to be serviced - both are Reliance models. They make a number of models with warranties of 6 year, 9 year and 12 year. Around here a large number of home builders install them in their spec. homes. They hold up very well.

Pete

 

[FishingPilot]

Check out on-demand electric water heaters. no wasted money with hot water just sitting around. They make those units in gas and electric. A little pricey at first but worth it if it's a small family 2-3 people tops.

Homedepot Electric Tankless Water Heaters

 

[e3mrk]

My Son bought one of those electric tankless water heaters and loves it. They are not for large Families like FishPilot says but They do the Job if You dont use a lot of hot water. Whirlpool is a good brand but I have never heard of Craftmaster.

 

[Comrad]

What ever you do remember these machines know how long they are warranted for and if it's 10 years they know and will go at 10 years and 1 day.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

My Son bought one of those electric tankless water heaters and loves it. They are not for large Families like FishPilot says but They do the Job if You dont use a lot of hot water. Whirlpool is a good brand but I have never heard of Craftmaster.

Whirlpool and Craftmasters are both made by the American Water Heater Co.

 

[gregintenn]

Marathon Water Heaters by Rheem
I have one of these big plastic water heaters. Our local electric company had a program where you could get a smaller one for free, or upgrade to the 90 something gallon one for $100.

I got the big un! It looks like a port o john, but we've yet to run out of hot water. I don't see the plastic ones rusting and leaking like the old steel tanks.

 

[Kinman]

If you have hard water like we do in this town you will find that the lower element will burn out much quicker than the upper. When we had electric water heaters I replaced the lower unit on our old heater at least twice and never did have to do the top one. We moved into this house back in the eighties and since its all gas we have had zero problems with the water heater. You can get a little extra mileage out of your electric water heater if you drain and clean out the deposits ever now and then.

 

[FishingPilot]

Our electric company gives you a monthly discount if you allow them to install a device on the water heater that cuts it off during peak power hours. Not a bad deal if you can schedule you hot water usage in between those times.

 

[linedo50]

New water heater efficiency standards are about to go in effect and along with that goes higher prices. A new 50 gallon hybrid will run around $1500. The smaller ones under 50 gallon will require more insulation so the physical size will increase and the water heaters 50 gallon and larger will be required to have a heat pump on the top. They will be taller so they may not fit in the same space as the ones being replaced. Since it has a heat pump they will require a condensate drain and because they are heating the water the cool air they generate will have to be added to the heating load in a house. Of course you will gain some cooling during warm weather when your AC is running so that will help. I understand that you can shut off the heat pump and run just on the resistive elements during the heating season and run the heat pump in them during warm weather. I don't know how much energy savings will be realized but it might be worth looking at.

 

[Drm50]

Reliance

I get Reliance HW tanks at hardware store. I have probably got
40 of them in last 3 years. Usually buy 40 gal. for rentals. Have been using them a lot longer than that, 30yrs. We have hard
water here 10-12 years and their full of calcium. I could go to
Loews to buy, I'm there 3 times a week anyway, price is same
but like to spend money in town. No problems with them.
Gas is cheaper to run after installation expense.
The tankless electrical system is not only pricey but a whole house unit usually requires additional upgrades to your electrical
entrance. Older homes don't usually have amps required for
system. Last spring they had sale 229.95 for 40 gal. at Hwd. I
keep couple on hand for emergencies.