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.
==========================================================
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