This is ALL  ...... my honest opinion only...     

 I Call it --- as I see it go down  ---  every day.....   

On  3-1-03,  residential gas heaters  were re-designed  to be made fire resistant with     FVIR TECHNOLOGY

The price  of  gas heaters has skyrocketed and there are  many  brands that are totally un-reliable. 

 With    FVIR Heaters  ,   it's wise to buy one that  RARELY NEEDS REPAIRS ,   IS  EASY TO FIND  PARTS FOR  and is  EASY TO SERVICE .

Many brands have very    "unique -- hard to find -- special order" 

"absolute pain in the neck"  repair parts.

 Here is info on all the popular brands made today..                

RHEEM   A++   safe, long lasting.   very reliable  system... simple + easy to service.    

 http://www.warnersstellian.com/products/8057

Richmond and GE    rate a    C

 GE--Home Depots  warranty service can turn into an expensive ....time consumeing .... nightmare.

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=68357

http://www.complaints.com/directory/2006/march/7/6.htm

http://www.complaints.com/2006/february/13/Home_Depot_Hot_Water_Heater_Installation_would_not_10139.htm

http://www.complaints.com/september2003/complaintoftheday.september23.29.htm

  http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=19737

 http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=16641

Bradford White   B   it has a "common sense design"  but it now has a new  Honeywell ICON gas control valve that  has caused  problems and call backs.

  http://411plumb.com/bradford-white-defender-water-heater-review

  http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/shared/pdfs/specsheets/104.pdf    

  http://www.bradfordwhite.com/ecodefendervideo.asp

               click here for info

 ..............................................

A.O.Smith -- State -- LOCHINVAR...  D  junk. 

 LINT FILTER needs constant cleaning.  VERY POOR FVIR DESIGN         Honeywell gas valve

Sears-  D-     junk

 read  complaints in the link below

http://baheyeldin.com/technology-in-society/mistaken-identity-help-with-kenmore-water-heater.html
  

 http://www.planetfeedback.com/index.php?level2=blog_viewpost&topic_id=261013

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=33373

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=76872

Rheem is the best  because  you never  have to fool with  lint filters or fight with ''pain in the neck'' Honeywell  or ICON gas valves.  

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AMERICAN WATER HEATERS  F-  

 WHIRLPOOL    F- 

 http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=35405

 This is by far the worst piece of junk ever made ,   on average it breaks down in less than 2 years,  please save yourself time, money, and frustration... just cut your losses and run.....

class action lawsuit in California.

 http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/11/whirlpool_class_action.html

your  warranty is void if you dont clean your 

"lint screen"   every  3  months.. !!!!      

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=30296

 http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/whirlpool_water_heaters.html

http://eplaw.us/thermocouple.html   ---

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=8776&wrapper=

http://www.complaints.com/directory/2005/april/21/4.htm\

ATTEMPT  REPAIRS AT YOUR  OWN RISK!!!

many folks have broke off internal gas lines .

     Look at the junk on this  2  year old Whirlpool unit..10-22-05 .