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Water heater reviews

All Costs are energy, so total energy-cost equals cost of water heater, plus installation, plus expected repairs-and-parts, plus water softener-and-filter, plus disposal-recycling cost, divided by years of tank life.
These numbers are added to monthly energy cost to measure true energy cost & efficiency of a water heater.
Government/industry efficiency numbers consider only energy cost per gallon of heated water.
Gas
How to install gas water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot power vented water heater
Best gas water heater for homeowner

Electric
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
3-phase commercial electric water heaters
How to wire tankless electric water heater
Best electric water heater for homeowner
Which is the best heat pump/ 2019
4 brands to choose from .... AO Smith, Bradford White, Stieble Elton, Rheem .. different models, with different characteristics.
Resource
Read detailed review 2019

Warranty 6 and 10 years models for residential installation.
Heat pump water heaters can save energy under specific conditions, but are more expensive to buy than typical electric water heater.
Heat pumps use ambient room temperature to heat water, and release cool air into same room, so ambient room temperature is decreasing each time heat pump turns on. 
Heat pumps works against the furnace in winter by using furnace-heated air to heat the water. Locating heat pump next to refrigerator, freezer or some other heat-producing appliance will let heat pump recycle warm air produced by the appliance.
All costs are energy.
Heat pump water heaters save money for specific applications, including 1) Homes in warm climate or with warm incoming water temperature, 2) Homes with 1-4 people who have low hot water consumption habits 3) Homes that do not require hot water over 130°F on a regular basis and 4) when Heat pump unit does not require repairs and maintenance that cannot be done DIY and are performed by technician.
Review GE heat pump water heaterRepair GE heat pump water heaterGE heat pump water heater / 2014
Resources
Read detailed review or GE
GE manuals by date

GE was sold to Bradford White which offers updated version
Resource
Which is the best heat pump

With service calls average $400, independent folks should demand up-front access to basic troubleshoot steps, maintenance and service manuals, part diagrams before buying.
While the GE is still sold from some outlets, the newer Bradford White offers a good service brief, and general maintenance steps with anode replacement.
Heat pump water heaterHeat pump integrated with refrigerator

Real science at work that you can apply.... add beauty to your home ... save energy with innovation
Heat from refrigerator re-used in water heater
Modest home has 88 cent energy bill
Resources
Water heater uses refrigerator heat
Low-energy home uses heat pump integrated with heat from kitchen refrigerator pg9
9 ways to save with water heater
Whirlpool energy smartEnergy SmartReview Whirlpool energy smart/ 2016
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Review Whirlpool energy smart
Convert energy smart to regular heater
Made by American water heater company, and sold under Whirlpool and Craftmaster and other labels. Electronic control lets customer select modes and control temperature. Must be connected to 240 volt. Not rated for 120-277 volt or other voltages etc. The electronic control does not offer a timer or Kwh electric meter.
Resource
How to install electric meter on water heater

Newest version has home automation interface, but unclear what interface connects to water heater in 2012-2019. You can control any electric water heater using DIY timers and home automation
Resource:
Do it yourself water heater timer and home automation

EZ temperature setting lets you raise to 135°F+ on laundry day, and reset to 120°F for rest of day to save energy and avoid risk of scald. Or leave at 130-135° and get more hot out of tank
Resource:
Ways to increase amount of hot water

Error codes are good start-point for troubleshoot, but parts are not generic, except for elements and anode. Parts must be ordered and run up cost of repair and cause delay vrs ordinary electric water heater.
Parts are simple to replace. Homeowner can install and maintain and repair this water heater.
Other than electronic control, this is ordinary electric water heater, and there is questionable energy-savings unless consumption is cut >> but same is true for all water heaters.
My experience shows that people mess with the electronic controls for a month or so, and then just set water heater to convenient temperature and function and forget it.
Six year single-family residential original-owner warranty. Customer can install this water heater without voiding warranty.
Pex-lined dielectric nipples. Plastic drain valve. Standard tank and anode rod.
Resource:
How to replace anode rod
polarisPolaris high volume condensing water heater/ 2019
Resource
Review polaris condensing water heater

Summary
34 and 50 gallon ultra low NOx
Warranty 10 years for residential models, 3 years light commercial models.

Polaris is in a class of heaters called 'condensing water heaters' due to the amount of heat recycled from flue and the resulting output of condensed acidic water vapor that must be routed into floor drain.
Polaris is a high-efficiency (80-82%), moderately-sized, condensing gas water heater for high volume homes, apartments and space heating.
Good installation manual, shows maintenance and basic troubleshoot and parts. No updated service manual posted for Polaris.
AO Smith effex water heater
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Review AO Smith Effex
Resource
Read detailed review 2019

Summary
Warranty 6 years for original owner and residential installation.
Eye-level temperature read-out and error codes

Effex has blower located on side of heater that is easily cleaned and maintained. The blower is designed to slow the flow of hot combustion by-product. The result is hot gasses remain inside the heater longer, and the heat exchanger or flue baffle transfers more heat into the water. Less heat is wasted up the vent pipe, which improves thermal efficiency* (conversion of heat into water, but has no affect on standby efficiency).
Effex can save 2% energy cost per year, but costs more to buy than simple atmospheric heater.
However the Effex includes powered anode rod that protects tank from rust and possible odor problems. A power anode sells independently for more than $225.

Effex plugs into outlet and requires dedicated outlet to avoid interference. Surge protector is recommended.
Offsetting the long-to-improbable payback is that Effex has other benefits: service manual is available, product manual has clear maintenance steps, customer can usually repair and maintain water heater without paying for service call, powered anode rod keeps tank from rusting and helps solve possible odor problems, error code shows if power anode malfunctions, digital LCD readout with error codes for simplified troubleshoot, easy temperature control at eye level, and water heater can be reset after FVIR incident instead of needing replacement.
Good installation manual, shows maintenance and basic troubleshoot and repairs. AO Smith posts service manual Effex.
Customer can easily install Effex water heater

Resources

How to install gas water heater
2012 Kenmore elite product manual
State high efficiency product manual
Whirlpool high efficiency manual
Read AO Smith service handbook

Marathon water heater Marathon water heater is lightweightReview Rheem Marathon Electric
Resources
Read detailed review

Summary:
Rheem Marathon is ordinary 240Volt residential electric water heater, except with foam tank instead of metal tank.
The purchase price is 4x ordinary water heater, and Marathon offers few advantages that cannot be achieved with less expensive water heater.
Marathon will not pay back the purchase price in most instances, but there are benefits for buyers wanting longer tank warranty for home installation, those wanting tank that can be installed in damp environment with possible reduced warranty, those needing lighter weight tank, and those experiencing chronic odor problems caused by anode rod found inside all steel-tank water heaters.
Marathon 85 and 105 gallon size will work for oversized bathtub.
Marathon can replace any ordinary electric water heater without additional wiring or significant change in plumbing pipes
There are no toxic chemicals from Marathon water heaters.  
81 lbs
Whirlpool flue damper serices Review AO Smith Flue dampered water heater
Resource
Read 2019 review AO Smith flue damper EF .70 (efficiency .62-.63)
Read 2014 review Whirlpool (AO Smith brand) flue damper EF .67 (efficiency .59-.60)

Summary
40-50 gallon low NOx and ultra low NOx models
6 year warranty offers labor for first year, and parts and tank each year after.
Flue dampered heaters have a blower located on top of heater that is designed to slow the exit of hot combustion by-product. The result is hot gasses remain inside the heater longer, and the heat exchanger or flue baffle transfers more heat into the water. Less heat is wasted up the vent pipe, which improves thermal efficiency* (conversion of heat into water, but has no affect on standby efficiency).
Flue damper heaters can save 2% energy cost per year, but cost more to buy than simple atmospheric heater.
40 and 50 gallon flue-damper water heaters with EF ..69-.70 save about 2% energy cost per year vs ordinary non-dampered atmospheric water heater.

The damper and electronics require electrical outlet that should be dedicated and should be protected from electrical surge that can knock out water heater controls. This water heater is usually repairable following FVIR event. Brass drain valve and air intake filter on bottom of heater reduce potential repairs.
Good installation manual, shows maintenance and basic troubleshoot and repairs. No specific service manual posted for AO Smith brand Flue damper water heaters.
Kenmore energy-star water heater Review Kenmore energy-star water heater/ Made by American/ AO Smith
Resource
Read detailed review 2012

Summary
Sold under different brand names now: State, Lochinvar, American
Kenmore warranty is usually printed clearly in the manual, and in year 2012.
Warranty is 6 years tank and parts for single-family residential installation.

40 and 50 gallon flue-damper water heaters with EF .67 save about 2% per year vs over ordinary non-dampered water heater. Plugs into 120 volt electric outlet. Outlet that should be dedicated and should be protected from electrical surge that can knock out water heater controls.
 Plastic drain valve and air intake on bottom of heater are workmanlike. There is no specific service manual posted for flue damper water heaters. Product manual has good instructions for maintaining and repairing water heater.
Bradford White Flue damper series Bradford White flue damper series .67 EF/ same rating as AO Smith flue damper series

Resources:
Bradford-white-flue-damper-manual
Bradford-white-flue-damper-error-codes
Bradford-white-flue-damper-spec-sheet

attach vent to damperCustomer can easily install flue damper water heater
How to install gas water heater
2019 product manual with installation
American brand product manual
2014 whirlpool product manual
State brand product manual
Warranties by brand
Kenmore water heater warranty is printed in each product manual Example Kenmore water heater warranty
Rheem:  Example 6 year Rheem water heater manual from 2003
Rheem warranty claim form
Rheem parts warranty claim form
American Residential: Example American residential warranty 2006
Reliance gas water heater warranty
Rheem Marathon: Example Marathon warranty
GE Heat pump GE Hybrid water heater manual
Bradford White :Bradford White warranty policy and coverage
GE: GE water heater warranties
Rheem Heat pump warranty 2009

What do water heater warranties mean?
What water heater warranties mean

Unless water heater is specifically sold for commercial installation, then warranties are for original-owner, single-family, residential installation, and apply only when water heater is installed and maintained according to printed information in product manual.
Most residential warranties are non-transferable, but when warranty is transferable, then coverage is considerably reduced.
If water heater is not rated for commercial application, the warranty is void or considerably reduced when installed in commercial building or apartment. 
Warranties are broken into two parts: Tank and tank parts. Tanks are warranted not to leak during warranty period. Parts are warranted against failure due poor workmanship. There is no 100% guarantee that water heater will work flawlessly and without needing service. Every product manual says that water heater must be installed correctly and maintained
American powerflex water heater review American Powerflex water heater/ power direct vent
PVG62-40T42-NV
PVG62-50T42NV
Power vent. EF .67 Cost to operate $270 per year, no pilot light.
Takes air supply from outside the home and does not work against heat-air. Can be installed inside closed room.
24" clearance front of water heater, 4" on each side for inspection and service. Typically, gas water heaters require minimum 18-24" clearance at top of water heater. Can be installed on combustible floor such as plywood. Do not install on carpet.
Use 2" or 3" Schedule 40 PVC or ABS vent pipe. Use long-sweep elbows only. Vent requires condensate drain to keep condensate from entering blower.
Brass drain valve.  1/2" gas connection  2" foam insulation.
Plugs into 120Volt outlet. Intellivent gas control can be reset after FVIR event.
Factory heat traps save $2 energy cost per year but can cause clogs. Better to install own heat trap.
6 year warranty, 2" foam insulation
Maintenance p 18
Replace parts 19
Troubleshoot & error codes p21-22
single-use ECO
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Spec sheet
Product manual
Gas control service manual
Powerflex parts
Powerflex energy guide label
Powerflex warranty
50 gallon At Amazon
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Bradford White ICON gas water heater timer
Honeywell service manuals
Objective: Save energy
Gas valve communicates with timer and other features.
Gas valve connects to timer
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American Pacific timer Review gas water heater timer
Review power anode rod

Review basic water heater parts
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AO Smith product literature
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Rheem posts generic manuals by type of product
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Avoid Tankless Hype
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Troubleshoot Rheem tankless
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Clean solar panels

Solar water heaters
Solar panels on roof need to be kept clean to maximize solar input.
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Should you buy solar water heater system?
Make your own solar water heater
Gas and electric water heaters Support the economy:
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