Thanks in advance --70.188.xxx.x

I have been struggling with water heaters from box stores, to such a extent i have taken a break from using them. Now my plumber installs not my maintenance team. There is a difference in quality from the plumbing wholesaler unfortunately when they appear to be the same and the serial number then can be used for warranty easier. I was replacing sometimes 2 or three times the same resident in a few year period due to lack of function. --173.31.xxx.xxx

I've never had one fail heat. Every one is from tank leaking. Guessing Arizona water. I'll pay extra if a tank will last longer, but I don't want to pay simply for a warrantee. --70.188.xxx.x

I pay what it cost, longest year vs price, then pick. I let Lowe's install. It's quick, they pull permits, reasonable cost. Paying between $1200 and $1500 nowadays. --172.56.xx.xxx

The nine and 12 year models have different heating elements --24.101.xxx.xxx

HOWEVER! Gas Water Heaters put out by Bradford White have a difference between the different warranty models. The more you pay for those gas water heaters with longer warranty's, more features they will include. Such as an extra anode or a turbo dip tube. --47.156.xx.xx

Bradford White is more expensive then other water heaters where plumbers or contractors do not want any call backs where plumbing supply stores sell Bradford White. If have a gas boiler then indirect hot water tank made of stainless steel will last up to 30 years. Big box stores sell a lower line of water heaters where efficiency is lower along with parts used where a plastic shut drain valve will cause problems. In the house bought a Takagi demand water heater in 2005 where done nothing but cleaning. At Lowes they sell a rebranded Takagi demand water heater which is expensive but more efficient under the name of AO Smith. The heat exchanger is made of copper and stainless steel for the secondary heat exchanger. --68.69.xxx.xxx

the guy at Ferguson told me straight out that all the units are the same but the price is for the warranty. they carry the bradford whites and i've had real good luck with them. now i see robert report differently --75.80.xx.xx

Bradford White had a Dip Tube that causes the incoming water to "MIX" with the tank water thru their Dip Tubes. While the other models only inject 90% of the water close to the burners, less evenly. --47.156.xx.xx

My experience with water heaters is if there is 1 or 2 anodes, look at the top for the telltale plugs which are actually anodes, if you see only 1 plug there is 1 anode and you will need to observe the decay (intended decay) of the anode, I recently retired a couple 35 year old tanks that I had replaced anodes every 5-7 years, when the anode has been eroded to nothing then the steel begins to go away - most often where the water ports are welded to the tank up top. --76.190.xxx.xxx

Get a Rheem Marathon. Plastic tank, lasts a long time. We have one in our own home that is 20+ years old (different manufacturer, same tank as they sell now). Only have had to replace one element. --65.207.xx.xx

I had power vented Bradford White water heaters and a indirect Bradford White hot water tank made of stainless steel where require a boiler. Rheem is the worst water heater owned electric, natural gas. Rental companies buy the lowest water heater out there. Where had a minor problem with indirect hot water tank which was installation problem. Read manual then fixed leak at fitting. The other Bradford White water never had a problem or changed any parts. --68.69.xxx.xxx

--104.175.xx.xx

I'm thinking on my next one to have the installer to loosen it ans re apply a good pipe dope for future removals. --45.15.xxx.xx

For gas fired tanks you would valve off the water ports. open sediment drain to relieve pressure and remove the T-P valve to observe the decay of the anode - the replacements are segmented - you toss the part you don't use inside the tank. When you first replace the anode it is best to heat the cap and loosen after cooling off time (while you prepare the replacement. use teflon tape rather than hard setting pipe sealant so you can service the anode in 5-7 years without the struggle. On a brand new tank removing and using teflon tape helps when you replace this once new anode. --76.190.xxx.xxx

I forgot to detail the process for an electric tank - almost exact same process except the upper element hole is larger and easier to see the decay of the anode, everything else is same - check every 5-7 years and you lose the sediment on this version also. --76.190.xxx.xxx

The warranted period is all the longer they will last. Do you want to change it in 6 years, 9, 12. That's all you'll get from my experience. I am seriously considering Tankless. Opinions appreciated. --64.184.xx.xx

The second type of anode is a attached to the Hot Water Nipple Output of the water heater. That one you have to unscrew with a long pipe wrench. --47.156.xx.xx

--71.188.xx.xxx

No the units had problems with controls and lack of parts and warranty wait time and trying to keep tenants happy. Plumbing contractor could identify problems but no great responses for parts meanwhile tenants without their hot water. But i did have a tenant in the winter in an efficiency apartment use the shower to heat his unit when his utilities got shutoff. That discovery was a little shocking, he did a lot of damage with all the moisture inside. --173.31.xxx.xxx

--75.11.xx.xx

Again the key to getting these fittings out is to drain the water line then heat the fitting and allow cooling before turning anything - the iron oxide fragments fall away allowing the pipe thread parts to turn much like they do before getting wet and rusty. --76.190.xxx.xxx

So for under $100 you can extend the life of your water heater. You only change the drain valve once and can transfer it to your new water heater down the road. And an anode should last 2 to 4 years. And a dip tube should last 5 to 10 years. So you really only spend around $150 to make a water last from 8 years to 20 years. Just saying it's worth the investment if you're like me that 50% of your houses and apartments had a water heater in each unit. --47.156.xx.xx