Water Heater ??'s

[alleyes]

We have 40 gal power vent water heater, 20 years old, that is leaking. Guessing replacement over repair due to age? How long do they last? The unit is a State PVR40, what are some good replacements?

[LightningBG]

Definitely replacement.

The warranties last anywhere from 6-12 years, some longer. Actual life varies.

[nobody05]

Yup replacement, there all a horse apiece! If your up to doing it yourself you will not find a better price then your local box store. Warrenty vary's 6 yrs is the minuim.

[Redlantern]

Bradford-White is my favorite residential water heater.

[Dragonsm]

Bought our house here in Sioux Falls in January (built in 2006) and the AO Smith water heater greeted me monday night with water all over the floor and the power vent sounding like a bilge pump. Luckily I caught it early so no damage to the finished basement. Rusted a hole in the tank.

I was in a bit of a pinch to get hot water back, but I have used the Richmond brand water heaters (made by Rheem) from Menards in a few houses and had good luck with them.

This last one was a 50 gal power vent model which was on sale this week for a 99 dollars off making it the cheapest of the three box stores we have here.

Steve

[upnorth]

Pay the few extra to get the highest BTU rating. We got a 36,000 and water temp drops faster than the old 40,000 BTU that we had. Nothing we can't live with, but an extra couple $$$ now will be more comfortable later.

[WallEYES]

Do not get Bradford White....I have installed many of them over the years and loved them until the last few....many problems with the burner assemblies and interlock between the fan and burner ignition...Being a licenced plumbing contractor, I hardly buy anything from my wholesale supplier. I usually buy direct from kohler, delta, moen ect. My suggestion would be to go to a box store(H.D.) and get a G.E. Stay away from extended warranties...the tank from the factory is warrantied for 5 years and the controls for two.....I have had no problems out of over a hundred + installs the last few years.

[alleyes]

Thanks for the input guys! I did end up going with a Richmond, good pricing at the big "M" after some shopping. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge, I appreciate it.