Water Heater Replacement

Hi, I have a hydroheat system and need replacement of a water heaterthat connects to the air handler. Is $999 a high cost including labor for a 50 gallon Bradford White defender heater? thanks in advance

[video=youtube;nfcbZqRSKIQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfcbZqRSKIQ[/video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfcbZqRSKIQ

probably ok

the price is not the lowest , but it is not the highest either.

if they are tieing this unit into some sort of heating system
their is more involved anyway which you are paying for in the price.

While you are at it, I suggest you get the 4 year extension and make it a 10 year tank for another 100-50 cause your heater gets a lot harder workout than most common units

Bradford White Defender

Mark, Is this a good water heater? thanks for the quick response!

bradford white

I install anywhere from 5 to 15 of these a week.

they have a very good air intake system.

they are higher than Rheem in btu rateing

they are tight and compact in design

havent had any major problems, occasional shipping issues with the thermocoupling comming loose inside the chamber. no big deal.

very simple to work on parts are no big problem to get

look at the specs

http://www.bradfordwhite.com/pdfs/manuals/12995_DEFENDER_Manual.pdf



once we did have a puppy chew all the wires off the front of the unit
only a week after it was installed

they could use a little more protection

pretty good as far as tanks leaking, havent had many yet.

stay away from A.O.Smith, they have a leaker in about 1 in 20

A .Smith actually keeps me busy changeing out 2 year old units all week long..


Whilrpool, they are total losers DO NOT BUY

State, Sears, American Water heaters all dogs too.


Stick with Bradford white or Rheem

Wish I had read this 2 weeks ago, before having 2 50-gal WHs replaced with State Select units!

What's the problem with State? Relatively short lifespan?

state heaters

they are not too good so so

I bought 10 of them quite a while back in the 90s and maybe only

half of them lasted out their 6 yr warranty. It really pissed me off.

They also have got bought out by A.O.Smith a few years ago.


the intake system is in front of the unit at the bottom

What I recently saw at a trade show it had a grill about 3x12 (guesstimate only)

the big problem which remains to be seen is weter the air intake will clog up only after a few years and sort of sufficate the unit.

Also, Smith had problems when the heater was installed with a 80% furnace.
When the furnace came on it hd a tendency to blow back air down though the water heater and put out the piolit . (that was the story I heard form the supplieers) I guess it has been corrected.

I dont know how easy it is to clean this grid of soot, lint, cat hair ect. on a State either.


The bradford has a grid on the bottom the total diameter of the base. I dont it can be cleaned either.
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The Rheem might actually be a better air intake system than any of them out there., but they have made thier units so fat and tall that I cant install them without tearing down the house

With these new style water heaters you place your bets and hope you put your money on a winner. Done ok so far.

the absolute worse made today is the AMERICAN WATER HEATER---WHIRLPOOL sold by Lowes....
look at the troubles they have had

feel lucky that you called a plumber , you will probably be ok.

http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/...pic/TopicID=0853/firstrecord=0/finalrecord=14

master plumber mark said:

feel lucky that you called a plumber , you will probably be ok.

http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/...pic/TopicID=0853/firstrecord=0/finalrecord=14

Click to expand...

Mark,
Could you explain that? Do plumbers use a higher grade State unit than I could buy myself? It does say "State Select" (for what that's worth!)

Thanks

state select

they are ok,

State Select is their normal heater (I think)

I guess you had a plumber install his choice of water heaters?

So he must feel that unit is good enough.

All I was stateing is your plumber should at least WARRANTY these units till
the warranty runs out in 6 years.

better than the poor devils that bought those Whirlpool units

Its just all my own opinion, which brand the best.

you just got buyers remorse about it, let it pass.

Mark,
Yep, it was the choice of the local plumbing contractor. It's funny, I've been expecting the units to fail, but didn't think to ask ahead for opinions ahead of time! And when you've got a major leak on your hands, you feel lucky to get someone out that day to replace 'em.

Live and learn...

Thanks again, Mark, for sharing your wisdom and experience!