I am not a fan of tankless and want to buy a QUALITY 40/50 gal model. Propane. Suggestions, also would prefer an old school rheostat rather than something digital
thank in advance

Bradford White is the best brand IMO. We've had a 50 gallon NG fired direct vent BW since 2018 and it's been great.

And not from a big box store. Get it from a plumbing supply house.

Not to start a debate, but I love my Rinnai tankless and would always go that way if I could. I've had both.

Good luck in your search.

thank you fellas, to the above post, why not big box like HD or Lowes ??

Propane or NG,

Lowes AO Smith water heaters are good to go, put one (electric) in my daughters home 5 years ago to replace the failed unit, easy to install and works great.

Propane Sir

quote:

Originally posted by golddot:
thank you fellas, to the above post, why not big box like HD or Lowes ??

Because they aren't the same build quality.

You want what the pros use.

Box stores sell "price point" appliances.
You think you are getting a good price due to volume sales, but what you are really getting is an appliance that the retailer had the manufacturer make for them special to sell at a "price point".

They look similar, but compare the model number to the good stuff, it's different.

Consider also, spare parts for the "price point" appliances are similarly fewer in number as the price point equipment was made for specific regions or stores, so not that many in total. Parts tend to be unobtainium after 2 ~ 3 years.

Had many a 2 ~ 3 year old machine I could not repair due to this issue.

^^^ So is it worth getting the extended insurance coverage for such appliances, or not worth the cost?

Sorry for the thread drift.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
^^^ So is it worth getting the extended insurance coverage for such appliances, or not worth the cost?

Sorry for the thread drift.

no worries man, good question,

I will check my local plumbing supply place, had no clue they werent all the same

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
^^^ So is it worth getting the extended insurance coverage for such appliances, or not worth the cost?

Sorry for the thread drift.

No. It’s worth getting the better item at local plumbing supply house

Rheem, Bradford White, or AO Smith.

As mentioned, get it from a plumbing supply house, not a big box store.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
^^^ So is it worth getting the extended insurance coverage for such appliances, or not worth the cost?

Sorry for the thread drift.

No. It’s worth getting the better item at local plumbing supply house

That doesn't answer my question...if I wasn't clear enough. Assuming you do buy at big box store...given quality and perhaps lack of parts...if the other post was correct, is it then worth the extended warranty?

I am aware that "generally" extended warranties aren't worth the cost.

I would NEVER buy at Home Depot. They contract the job to the lowest bidder. They lacked basic social skills and the job was not up to code.
Sadly the private plummer I used died from pancreatic cancer. I had him replace both water heaters from a local supply house as well as changing out several fixtures. He used AO Smith which is NOT sold at home depot.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Bradford White is the best brand IMO. We've had a 50 gallon NG fired direct vent BW since 2018 and it's been great.

And not from a big box store. Get it from a plumbing supply house.

Same here. Mine is rock solid and has been trouble free. It gets a yearly drain and flush. Highly recommended.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I would NEVER buy at Home Depot. They contract the job to the lowest bidder. They lacked basic social skills and the job was not up to code.
Sadly the private plummer I used died from pancreatic cancer. I had him replace both water heaters from a local supply house as well as changing out several fixtures. He used AO Smith which is NOT sold at home depot.

ZSMICHAEL, OP didn’t say he was going to have Home Depot install the unit.


OP, last time we had a tank water heater it was a Bradford White from a local plumbing supply company. It was solid while we used it.

Replaced it with a on-demand. The BW probably got recycled to someone’s cabin and still providing hot water.

I bought a Rheem at HD last time I needed one 8 years ago and it's been flawless.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Rheem, Bradford White, or AO Smith.

As mentioned, get it from a plumbing supply house, not a big box store.

This is a good list, but I would add State Water Heaters to the list. A.O. Smith acquired State Water Heaters in 2001, and good portion of their respective product lines are interchangeable, essentially identical except for the label.

I have a State Water Heater that I installed in early 2011 that is still going strong and when it comes time to replace it, I will very likely purchase another just like it.

As other have said, purchase your Water Heater from a plumbing supply house, and replace the Thermal Expansion Tank when you install it.

If you are doing it yourself, you won’t be able to purchase a propane water heater directly from a plumbing supply house unless you have a gas license. I know because I just replaced mine tonight.

I ended up having to buy a Rheem from Home Depot. They didn’t care that I don’t have a license. I spent a little extra to get the 9 year warranty unit rather than the one with 6 years. I wanted the 12 year unit but it would take 14+ days to arrive and that many cold showers was a non starter with Mrs Highlander.

If you decide to do the install yourself make sure you take all the gas fittings of the old unit. You won’t be allowed to buy replacements. Also make sure you use the correct pipe dope on the gas fittings.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Not to start a debate, but I love my Rinnai tankless and would always go that way if I could. I've had both.

Good luck in your search.

In my best Maine-ese, "Ayup"

I'd never go back to a tank.