This is all ...... my honest opinion only...     

  We call it --- as we see it go down  ---  every day.....   

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

The cost of  gas heaters has more than doubled and there is  plenty  more that can go wrong with many  brands. 

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

Everyone  has designed  their  own  " special FVIR  unit"   to pass fed laws,   and  some  brands have very     

"unique"      "hard to find "    "special order" 

" absolute pain in the neck"    repair parts.   

Whichever  brands  stand the test of time ,  remains to be seen.  . 

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

Bradford White    40,000 btu -- A+   a very reliable brand.   it has a "common sense design" ...and is very easy to service.

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

 POWER VENTED GAS HEATER

RHEEM  40,000 btu  A-   extra -extra-extra safe.

Richmond and GE made  by Rheem rate a   C

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

A  Rheem  FIVR heater  will literally   "self  destruct"  if  any type of  fire happens,  and  the internals are   NOT  REPAIRABLE ,    so  you are forced to buy a  whole new one!     RHEEM  is extra safe,   but I do not care for its    "throw out the baby with the bath-water "    FVIR  design.  

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

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

A.O.Smith   D      total junk.   air filter needs cleaning.

SEARS + State--  made by Smith  see pics on the electrical  page

D-  100% junk.   read 100 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

Bradford White   +    Rheem  heaters  are the best  because  you never  have to  fool with  lint filters  .

With  Brad White  + Rheem,  you never have to "prove  your warranty"    down the road.  

With  many  Hardware stores,   your  warranty is good ONLY  if you bought the heater and can prove it.    

WHIRLPOOL FlameLock   F-    

by    AMERICAN WATER HEATERS    

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

IMHO... This is  the  worst piece of junk  ever made ,  you are throwing your money away on futile repairs that wont last long. 

now with a 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 filter"   every  3  months...      

 You cant even get the repair parts at LOWES anymore...  

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

Even after being fined millions in a class action lawsuit,  the quality of this brand has not gotten any better,  they have not properly corrected the defects with their product.

look at the dates of the complaints...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\

Here is  info that  "claims"  will repair this dog.    They fail to mention that the bottom side of the air intake  is  IMPOSSIBLE  to clean . 

ATTEMPT  REPAIR AT YOUR  OWN RISK!!!

many have broken  the  internal gas line .

 http://www.whirlpoolwaterheaters.com/support/bulletins/6510338.pdf

                               Look at the junk on the bottom of a  2  year old Whirlpool unit...taken out 10-22-05 . They opted  to  replace it with  a Bradford White.  

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