When it comes to purchasing a new electric water heater, the best advice I can give as a master plumber of 60+ years is to ask if you are getting good lifetime elements. The only recent advances in electric water heaters have been the Rheem and the GE Hybrid models. These models came on the market about five years ago but never gained popularity because of their higher prices and associated costs. If you are looking for the BEST electric water heaters on the market right now, I would suggest Rheem or Bradford White models. They are made with heavy-duty stainless steel heating
elements that last a lifetime.

GE Electric Water Heater Hybrid Customer Reviews

Features of the Rheem Electric Hybrid Water Heater

Poor Choice for Electric Water Heaters: Whirlpool Energy Smart

These water heaters are “sub-standard” to say the least. Because of the various fire and liability issues associated with the control panel, repairs are far more complicated. If the circuit board gets wet, there is no hope for repair. Also, a replacement circuit board can cost upwards of $200 plus labor, and take more than a week to be delivered; and this might not even fix the problem. Many more repairs could possibly be needed. The biggest problem however, is that many plumbers (such as myself) refuse to attempt repairs on these units because of the safety and liability concerns. If you have this unit, and it breaks, it can be difficult fining someone to repair it for you at a cost that seems fair. In my opinion as a veteran master plumber, these are the WORST electric water heaters on the market right now.

Whirlpool Water Heater Customer Review #1

Whirlpool Water Heater Customer Review #2

A.O. Smith, Sears, and State Select Water Heaters

The 2010 make and model A.O. Smith FVIR gas water heater has similar problems to the Whirlpool models. They are poorly designed; taking in barely enough air to operate. For those who have their Smith water heaters installed in a laundry room, clogs and unit problems will most certainly occur in a very short period of time. This is COSTLY! Remember that State and Sears water heaters are made by A.O. Smith, so beware. In my previous years of experience I have installed many of these units, only to uninstall them less than a year later. This is why I do not repair or install them anymore. For example, 150psi air pressure couldn’t even remove the lint stuck in the lint screen less than a year later in a 2004 State Select Gas Water Heater. With my experience as a master plumber, I can make an educated guess that this FVIR design in the A.O. Smith gas water heaters will not only see a heap of problems in the future, but perhaps a product re-call and class action lawsuit as well.

Sears Water Heater Customer Review #1

Kenmore Water Heater Customer Review #2

Weilhammer Plumbing Company – Indianapolis, Indiana

Call Mark Weilhammer, owner and operator of our 112 year-old Indianapolis plumbing company, for accurate industry-information about water heater repair and installation services. We offer the most competitive prices and highest quality customer service in Indiana. This is why we have been a family owned and operated plumbing business since the early 1900’s. We offer a wide range of plumbing services; including 24 hour emergency plumbing, unit and product sales, installations, repairs, maintenance, replacements, DIY advice, and much more. Call us today at 317-714-0759 for a free estimate regarding water heater repair services in Indianapolis, IN and any nearby counties.