For your convenience, we have researched and made a comparison chart of all readily available water heater brands and models available from Water Heaters For Less (highlighted in green) as well as most models stocked at the Big Box Stores, local suppliers and by other plumbers in the Dallas TX area. Comparing water heaters on the Manufacturer Websites is difficult since they manufacture water heaters for the entire United States. A water heater that you would install in Alaska is not the same water heater as you would install in Texas. Even some of the Bradford White models could be up to 6 weeks prior to delivery to our supplier. Unless you know which model is immediately available to you in Dallas TX, it can make comparing water heaters difficult. We have tried to make your comparison easier.

Natural gas water heater comparison chart

Electric water heater comparison chart

For prices in the Plano area, call our office at (972) 509-0224 today, or request information online.

What research says about our Water Heaters:

Rudd Professional Guardian Water Heater: BEST VALUE – BEST RATING – LONGEST WARRANTY Our research shows the Rudd brand water heaters to be the highest rated water heaters. In an overall comparison, Rudd has one of the highest energy ratings of .62, the heaviest tank and longest warranties available. Rudd Professional Guardian has a standard 8 year warranty when installed by Water Heaters For Less or an extended 12 year warranty available in the Dallas TX area. Most manufacturers offer an extended warranty which is often is just a certificate or sticker upgrading their identical 6-year warranty water heater. However, Rheem’s Guardian water heater with the extended warranty requires the installation of an additional anode rod upgrading the water heater. The standard 8 year Rheem Professional Guardian has a heavy duty tank weighing 165 lbs which is 15 to 20 lbs heaver than most competitors’ water heaters.

Bradford White: LOWEST PRICE – GOOD RATING – STANDARD WARRANTY There is no need to ever drain or flush these gas water heaters. Bradford White provides patented technology in their Defender Safety System series that drastically reduces carbon monoxide emissions and the chance of fire. This is a very important safety feature in any water heater. Bradford White hot-water heaters offer electronic ignition systems, fully automatic thermostat controls, and jet ports that clean the tank every time there is a call for hot water. The online reviews for Bradford White are overwhelmingly positive. One popular consumer research website polled 300 contractors, which resulted in this brand being voted “Best Water Heater”. Bradford White can only be purchased through licensed contractors.

A.O. Smith Pro Max Plus Water Heater: AVERAGE PRICE – GOOD RATING – HIGHEST EFFICIENCY – STANDARD WARRANTY A.O. Smith manufactures water heaters with one of the best energy ratings and highest quality products. However, the product only carries a standard 6 year manufacturer warranty, decreasing the overall value to the consumer.

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater: GREENEST RATING – ON DEMAND HOT WATER – CALL FOR PRICING We all know of individuals jumping at the wave of tankless water heaters hitting the market. If you are contemplating such an upgrade for your own home, then you want to take your time and explore the different tankless water heater options available to you. They are one of the hottest items for home improvement on the market right now. A leading manufacturer in the market of tankless water heaters is Rinnai. They have a great reputation with consumers and offer a fair price. The result is many consumers choosing to upgrade from their old water heater to a Rinnai tankless water heater system. A standard Rinnai tankless water heater can provide more hot water per hour than six standard hot water heaters with tanks. That is very impressive; especially considering this is only the standard tankless water heater unit that Rinnai offers.

What research says about their Water Heaters:

Whirlpool Flame Lock: (Lowes) (reported by ComparetheBrands.com & ConsumerSearch.com) The Flame Lock natural gas water heater from Whirlpool is the consumer leader for all of the complaints and the class action lawsuit. Consumer reviews for the Whirlpool hot water heaters were not very positive. You should probably stay away from any company involved in a lawsuit over its product. ConsumerAffairs.com reports on over 100 complaints about the Whirlpool Flame Lock line. Those users report problems with a breaking thermocouple — and since the thermocouple is a non-standard configuration, getting a replacement is difficult. The Whirlpool Flame Lock series was the only water heater for which we found consistent complaints.

American Flame Guard Water Heaters: American water heaters also manufacturers the Whirlpool water heater. That speaks for itself!

GE Smart Water Heaters Home Depot) The GE brand water heater is manufactured by Rheem. The GE water heater is the Rheem standard quality water heater, a grade below the Rheem Professional Guardian water heater.

State Select Water Heaters: State manufactures a standard quality water heater. There really are no outstanding features or poor consumer ratings that we are aware of to bring attention to.

A Tankless water heater heats the water only when there is a demand for hot water. Opening a hot water faucet, ignites the powerful burners and the computer monitors the water temperature and adjusts the burners according to the need. High demand, high heat. Low demand, low heat. With no tank to run out you get an endless supply of hot water. No tank to heat means no standby heat loss.

A storage tank water heater stores 40-75 gallons of hot 140*F water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week though you only use hot water a couple times a day. The tank type heaters constantly lose heat through the flue and tank walls trying to maintain 140*F. The heater cycles on and off to maintain this temperature. This causes cracking of the exterior walls and sediment build up which will eventually cause your storage tank to leak. The storage tank is designed to wear out and be replaced in time. The storage tank water heaters only have a limited amount of hot water and after that water is used you have to wait for the tank to heat the water again.

Utility savings with a Tankless Water Heater

For residential customer who pays $50.00/ month on natural gas for Domestic water heating (DHW) ONLY, we project average savings of 30% based on same usage pattern. (Best way to find DHW energy cost, is to look at Natural gas bill during summer without heating.)

With the usage pattern the same, savings with a tankless unit will be on average 30%. Single person 55%, two people using tank 40%, three people 35%, four people 30%, five people 25%.

Based on: $50.00 a month DHW gas bill, with an average of 30% savings, you would save $15.00 month or $180.00 per year. If a tankless water heater costs $1700.00 installed without any retrofitting, and the alternative tank type water heater costs $800.00 installed, the differential of a tankless water heater is $900.00. Payback is 5 years. The return on your investment is 20%. On average a retrofitted tankless water heater will cost approximately $2500.00 installed. According to Consumer Reports, because tankless water heaters cost much more than storage water heaters, it can take up to 22 years to break even—longer than the 20-year life of many models.

Life Expectancy

Many Tankless Water Heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. They also have easily replaceable parts that extend their life by many more years. In contrast, storage tank water heaters last on average 8 – 10 years.

Requirements for a Tankless heater

Gas Tankless Heaters There is a higher demand for the amount of gas with tankless water heaters. Our licensed Plano plumber knows how to measure your household needs for gas.  The gas line for your water heater is normally 1/2 inch. But our plumber will determine what size gas line is necessary to run your gas system correctly.

Electric Tankless Heaters* If you plan to purchase an Electric Tankless Water Heater, consider the Voltage, Amperage, and Circuit Breaker.

Voltage Many retailers sell units that will accommodate 110V, 120V, 208V, 220V, 240V, and 277V.

Amperage Different Electric Tankless Water Heaters will have various requirements in amp draw. You will want to ensure that you can support the electrical demands of your Electric Tankless Water Heater.

Circuit Breaker You must ensure that you have a circuit or circuits that will support your Electric Tankless Water Heater. It may be necessary to put your Electric Tankless Water Heater on its own circuit or circuits.

*A licensed electrician will be necessary to determine if your home can properly support an electric tankless water heater.

CALL HARVEY WEST PLUMBING TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE (972)509-0224, CONTACT US BY EMAIL or VISIT OUR WEBSITE.