Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

[Robert Gift]

Are they not made by the name brand manufacturers?

Is a "big box" (Home Depot, Lowe's) water heater a better buy for the money?

Any recommendations?
(My widow friend isaving money for one.)

Thank you.

[mpm]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

I buy them because they have the same warranty as Bradford White (the ones that my wholesaler carries) and are about $70.00 cheaper.

[geno gardner]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

Are they not made by the name brand manufacturers?

Is a "big box" (Home Depot, Lowe's) water heater a better buy for the money?

Any recommendations?
(My widow friend isaving money for one.)

Thank you.

I've heard that most water heaters are actually made in about 4 plants and other brands privately labeled from there. True or not, I have no proof. I also don't know if the material specifications are the same on "privatized" lines. Maybe glass lining is a few mills thicker on major label brands. This is important info which we simply don't have access to. I normally install AO Smith and have never had a problem with one I've installed. (Except one commercial unit about 15 years back)

I've had to do repairs on some Rheem units I didn't install.
I've had to do repairs on a couple of GE water heaters customers got at Home Depot.
I've had to do repairs on "American" brand water heaters.
I'm sure other plumbers will have had different experiences.

Personally, I would get a water heater with a six year warranty, and install a 2nd anode in the hot water side. This will sacrifice itself and help the tank last longer.

[TheMaster]

Re: Are "bIg box" water heatersame as name brands?

One brand that I use from big box is the same as the supply house brand that I use other than the plastic drain valve. The big box water heater has the plastic drain valve. It takes 3 minutes to replace the drain valve with a brass one.

And like the above poster I save about $70-80. Same warranty and big box is open on sunday morning and I dont hafta call anyone to make a special trip to the supply house for them to act like they are doing me a favor.

[TheMaster]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

I've heard that most water heaters are actually made in about 4 plants and other brands privately labeled from there. True or not, I have no proof. I also don't know if the material specifications are the same on "privatized" lines. Maybe glass lining is a few mills thicker on major label brands. This is important info which we simply don't have access to. I normally install AO Smith and have never had a problem with one I've installed. (Except one commercial unit about 15 years back)

I've had to do repairs on some Rheem units I didn't install.
I've had to do repairs on a couple of GE water heaters customers got at Home Depot.
I've had to do repairs on "American" brand water heaters.
I'm sure other plumbers will have had different experiences.

Personally, I would get a water heater with a six year warranty, and install a 2nd anode in the hot water side. This will sacrifice itself and help the tank last longer.

Over 90% of the water heater repair calls I get are either A.O Smith or whirlpool. Thats saying alot when most water heaters here are Rheem or Rudd.

Rheem sells a warranty upgrade kit that consists of an anode rod that scews into the hot side. I think it adds 6 more years to the warranty but it could be only 3....or other I'm not sure. Not sure if it is still true but at one time the differences between a 5 year heater and a 10 year warranty was price and nothing more.

[dcman]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

Geno and the Master know what I know...I like Rheem/Rudd gas and A.O. Smith Electrics....Stay away from Whirlpool...JUNK ALERT!!!

[MoJourneyman]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

whirlpool is owned by a.o. smith.

[NHMaster3015]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

I buy A.O. Smith from my wholesaler for a good 60 bucks less than the box stores but then again we buy them by the pallet load. Last year I think we went though close to 200. I buy NOTHING from the big box stores. If it was Sunday and they were the only store open and I needed a 1/2" copper elbow the job would wait till Monday then again My stock room has more stock than most box stores. Well at least more useable stock.

[TheMaster]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

I can get a 40 gal gas with 6 yr tank warranty for 323.00 out the door at big box. Made by Rheem.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

g.e. heaters are made by rheem.

a o smith owns american appliance.

home depot seems to be more lenient on the returns. they don't charge a handling fee or an upgrade charge.

problem is you loose an hour plus on the paper work and return line if you have a warranty return.

rick.

[Hulihan]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

How much are you guys paying for a 30 gallon and a 40, just courious
I understand if you do not want to say
But I find home depot to be way more than I pay at the supply house for water heaters

[NHMaster3015]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

If I told you I'd have to kill you.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

How much are you guys paying for a 30 gallon and a 40, just courious
I understand if you do not want to say
But I find home depot to be way more than I pay at the supply house for water heaters

craig, remember that these guys don't need the lo nox models like us. so figure at least 100 less than us

rick.

[Hulihan]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

I needed a cordless screw driver and went to the Depot last night, I was confused with all the choices, I just wanted one with two battery's and will last, man there are alot of choices, went with the Milliwakaee , has this cute little light to see in the dark I guess, they no longer make tools like they did when I started this journey They are probably better now and very pretty ! But I was a tad bummed at how bad the tool guys english was, I so wish I took spanish in high school and not french, but who would of known we would get invaded

[TheMaster]

Re: Are "bog box" water heatersame as name brands?

I needed a cordless screw driver and went to the Depot last night, I was confused with all the choices, I just wanted one with two battery's and will last, man there are alot of choices, went with the Milliwakaee , has this cute little light to see in the dark I guess, they no longer make tools like they did when I started this journey They are probably better now and very pretty ! But I was a tad bummed at how bad the tool guys english was, I so wish I took spanish in high school and not french, but who would of known we would get invaded

I drive 3" torx coated deck screws with my milwaulkee m12 driver.....it has great torque. Its slower than the 18v's and its not impact but its powerful. I think you will enjoy it. My milwaukee m12 batteries do not like cold weather and I call cold under 50 degrees..mine just will not run cold. I started bringing them inside at night and keeping them in the front floor of the truck when its cold.