quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Right now with all the fuel costs jumping around you'd have to do a spreadsheet with cost per unit, units used, and time between fills to be accurate.

I'm nerdy enough to actually have that.
I'll see about condensing it and posting it over the weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
I've decided to proactively replace my 25 year old water heater. Rheem 50gal natural gas. I don't think there is anything special about it. But it has lasted pretty well.

I've never bought a water heater before. I don't think I need anything more fancy with more bells and whistles. I think I'd be happy with a straight replacement (perhaps more reliable and more power efficient?).

What brand(s) is recommended? I see BW, AOSmith, Rheem mentioned frequently. Any real differences in reliability, quality, efficiency? In my non-expert view, it's a pretty simple appliance - tank, gas burner, insulation. But quality of materials and workmanship may affect reliability / durability.

Any thoughts - any strong preference for brand? Any other considerations?

Think long and hard before replacing with Rheem. Last fall it took five (not a typo) units to find two that would work. Three at my moms place and two at a friends. The first one at my moms it leaked water into the area where the the electrical connection was made on top. Totally submerging it in water. Not sure how there wasn't a fire or an electrocution.
Yeah, five installs for two working units. Fun times. The remaining two units just leaked from start up.

Several years ago we purchased/installed a State ProLine commercial-grade 50-gallon residential water heater. Has worked like a champ.

quote:

Originally posted by mod29:
A few years back I had a 50-gl Bradford White tank installed.
Natural gas unit with a pilot light.

Awesome tank, no complaints at all.

Agree. I'm on my second BW. First one lasted a lot of years.

quote:

Several years ago we purchased/installed a State ProLine commercial-grade 50-gallon residential water heater. Has worked like a champ.

That is what my HVAC client had installed for me. $826.76 with tax + $400 Labor in Apr 2025.

We had two 50 gal tanks and the older one went bad. We decided to go tankless, natural gas. We discussed brand choices and our plumber recommended Navion because of our Geothermal system. After a couple of weeks it learned our habits and at 7 AM I have hot water to shower, same delay as with the tanks. We have another bathroom across the house, I get hot water there in the same time frame. very happy, so far.

Bradford White, Rheem, AO Smith

In that order, according to one of my plumbers.

I proactively had to replace my water heater to change insurance companies.

I went with a Rheem hybrid. No gas in that house.

Bradford White only sells through supply houses.

Different supply houses will have different pricing according to the volume they sell and the volume of your plumber.

It does not hurt to have your plumber quote all three, if they are willing.

I have had all three last for decades.
Some plumbers only use one brand.

I have been told that all the water heaters by that brand are the same; the different warranties are just insurance for the same heater.
You are just paying for a longer warranty for more money, and the heater is the same.

Okay, I think I've identified comparable / slightly better water heater models from BW, Rheem, AOS to my existing unit.

I'm planning to stick with the same capacity since it seems more straight forward for the permit process. But open to discussion w/ the contractor.

Planning to stick with same type - ATM vent unless something is recommended or necessary by code.

So, I have a couple of models for each brand that seem comparable to my existing unit. Each is about $1000-$1300 but not sure.

Any suggestions for how to ask for a quote? Do I just show my existing unit and request a replacement? And then ask for options for something "slightly better" (wrt to what? efficiency? durability? features?). I'm pretty sure I don't need some "smart" water heater that attached to the internet, etc. Just need something that is safe (turns off gas when flame goes out), easy to light (doesn't need matches), durable, and well insulated (low duty cycle once heated - is that built into the efficiency number?).

I think I found a few good plumbers (good reviews) but don't know what to ask for in the quote.

Done three in the last few years. two were Rheem and one an AO iirc.

I'm looking at BW RG150T6N, RG250T6N (I don't know what the differences between these models are other than BTU and Recovery (not sure if this is pragmatically important)). AOS models HWG50, HWR50 (again, not sure what the differences are between models as they seem similar). And not sure what the differences are between the BW and the AOS models (anything pragmatically different?).

Kinda overwhelming and confusing for such a simple appliance.

The last one we bought was the higher quality option at home depot. I think it was a Rheem, but not sure. Don't over think it.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
I'm looking at BW RG150T6N, RG250T6N (I don't know what the differences between these models are other than BTU and Recovery (not sure if this is pragmatically important)). AOS models HWG50, HWR50 (again, not sure what the differences are between models as they seem similar). And not sure what the differences are between the BW and the AOS models (anything pragmatically different?).

Kinda overwhelming and confusing for such a simple appliance.

The AO Smith HWG-50 is Natural Gas while the HWR-50 is a Propane unit.

If I may add to the confusion, State Water Heaters is an AO Smith brand and basically have identical products with a different color/stylized label. The State Pro Line Master GW8-50-BRT Series units are the equivalent models to the AO Smuth Pro Line units you referenced.

AO Smith HWG-50 NG unit = State GW8-50-BRT 401:

https://www.statewaterheaters....t-400/100285582.html

AO Smith HWP-50 LP unit = State GW8-50-BRT 401:

https://www.statewaterheaters....t-401/100284787.html

quote:

The AO Smith HWG-50 is Natural Gas while the HWR-50 is a Propane unit.

You would think it would be a HWLP-50 model designation.

The Bradford White RG150T6N and RG250T6N are both 50-gallon tall residential natural gas water heaters utilizing an atmospheric vent and the Defender Safety System. The core difference between them is their BTU input power and hot water recovery performance.

Key Specifications & Comparison

Tank Capacity: 50 gallons for both models.

RG150T6N Power & Recovery: Uses 34,000 BTU/hr with a recovery rate of 37 gallons per hour (at a 90°F rise) and a First Hour Delivery of 75 gallons.

RG250T6N Power & Recovery: Uses higher energy input at 40,000 BTU/hr with a faster recovery rate of 43 gallons per hour (at a 90°F rise) and a First Hour Delivery of 81 to 89 gallons.

Dimensions:

RG150T6N has a jacket diameter of 20 inches and an overall height of roughly 60-1/8 inches.

RG250T6N has a slightly wider jacket diameter of 22 inches and an overall height of 60-5/16 inches.

Shared Features: Both include the Bradford White ICON System (intelligent gas control/piezo igniter), HydroJet sediment-reduction system, Vitraglas tank lining, and factory-installed heat traps.

The AOS models have a NG and LP version - same model (not sure how to designate NG vs LP when ordering). Seems like the differences are in the BTU and something called Rise. Not sure what I should be looking for and whether the spec values are really that different pragmatically. What do I expect between a 41 vs 43 90F Rise Gallon per Hour?

Should I prefer AOS or State? Or indifferent - just go with whichever the plumber offers?

What really do the Power and Recovery numbers reflect? Does 37 vs 43 gallons per hour matter? Only when starting from cold (which doesn't seem to matter much)? I wonder what the price differences will be between the two models. I think the cheaper one will be sufficient but if about the same price, should I go with the higher Power / Recovery model? Or stick w/ the lower model (may last longer / less stressed)?

If you already have natural gas hookup at that location going tankless is a no-brainer. If you also install a battery backup in-line at that location and you will hot water for days if you ever lose electrical power.

Tankless break even point is 10 years?

quote:

Should I prefer AOS or State? Or indifferent - just go with whichever the plumber offers?

Yes...

They're basically interchangeable. I assume a Plumbing Supply House will only carry one or the other, NOT both. You should go with whichever your plumber prefers/recommends, and has access to/gets the best support from the Plumbing Supply House in your area.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Tankless break even point is 10 years?

Its not just about BE, you'll eliminate a 50 gallon tank of water sitting in the house, and having to heat it over and over. So NG bill will drop, how much depends on what you use.

You'll also gain unlimited hot water, have a big garden tub, it will fill it with hot water. Kids running showers for an hour, plenty of hot water (you can get a remote to turn it off and get them out of the shower LOL)

You also gain all that area where the 50 gallon tank sat for storage.

If you WH is in the attic you get to eliminate that potential disaster, buddy in TX had one burst and flood the house it has taken 6 months to repair the damage, party contractor issues, partly supply issues. They are just now getting back in the home after insurance fixed everything, it was a huge mess and loss.

You are in California, so you could mount it outside and eliminate the flue issue, that just means running water out to the tankless unit.

We did that, ours is outside of the garage, by the LP tank lines, running water was easy and we gained a huge storage space, which with no basements here, is nice.

Thanks. Good points.

I'll look into tankless but I don't really need to gain area; don't need to reclaim the 3x3' area in the garage corner where it sits.

50G is plenty of water for us - don't really need more than that at time, especially after I replace our stupid bathtub.

We also have (maybe a complication) a recirc line that we love - I'd prioritize that and instant hot water (love that several times every day) over continuous hot water (which we haven't needed).

I will look into the recirc capable tankless units and ask for a quote. But suspect the ROI will be less than for the 50G based on our usages.

Rinnai tankless natural gas here. Having 2 older teens that seem to take very long showers and 2 adults, it’s amazing. It takes about 2x2 area on the wall in the garage, a wall that is an exterior. I did have to allow them to cut a hole to allow venting. But unless you’re looking for it it’s not a big deal. I regained all the space where my old style tank sat as well as I have several feet of room directly under it.