Have you checked the "Products and Services" link on the opening of this site? Terry has some good comparisons of various water heater brands and sizes as well as links to manufacturers. That said, here's what I, as a DIYer would do. I'd make sure the new heater had ample capacity, I usually tend to supersize things a bit to allow of the unforseen. Then, since I have a Power Vent via ABS pipe with no reasonable or practical way to vent through the roof, I'd make sure the vent would be compatiable with what I have. I would select a model with a long tank warranty, even though in my area tanks tend to outlast the warranty by several years. That's just more of my supersizing. I prefer an electronic ignition rather than a pilot light. I'm not "hung-up" on brands, I think most of the name brands are pretty good, but I have had a very good experience with my Rheem that I got at Lowe's.
