Purchasing Tips

Water heaters are rated by their overall energy efficiency rating. This is often referred to as the EF(energy factor) rating. This rating is a measurement of all things that contribute to heat loss. the higher the number or rating the more efficient the heater. They range anywhere from 0.59 to 0.74. A rating of 1.00 would mean that there was absolutely no heat loss.

Water heaters come with different thicknesses of insulation. This insulation is also rated by what is called an R - factor. The higher this number the better. R - factors range from approximately 8 to 17. Water heaters with thicker insulation should have the highest R - factor.

Water heaters that burn natural gas or propane have burners. Try to purchase a heater that has a cast iron or stainless steel burner. They tend to last longer.

Water Heater Manufacturers

Consider calling these manufacturers. They will gladly send you oodles of information about their products. Be sure to pay attention to EF rating, R-factor of insulation, and type of burner. Keep reading for more information on these points.

American Water Heater Group
500 Princeton Road
Johnson City, Tennessee 37601
615-283-8000

A. O. Smith Water Products Company
5605 N. MacArthur Boulevard Suite 360
Irving, Texas    75038
800-527-1953

Bradford White Corporation
323 Norristown Road
Ambler, Pennsylvania    19002-2758
800-523-2931

Rheem Manufacturing Corporation
P.O. Box 244020
Montgomery, Alabama   36124-4020
205-260-1500

State Water Heaters
500 Tennessee Waltz Pkwy
Ashland City, Tennessee 37015-1299
800-365-0024

Water Heater Installation Tips - - Extending its life

Always install your hot water heater so that it is level and plumb. If you live in a earthquake prone area, apply strapping or other hold down devices so that it does not fall over in an earthquake.

NEVER install a shut off valve on the hot water outlet pipe. If someone accidentally turns this valve off and your pressure relief valve malfunctions, your hot water heater can become a giant bomb. They have exploded before with catastrophic results!

Always install a new temperature and pressure relief valve with your hot water heater. Be sure it is sized right for the heater!!!! The hot water heater manufacturer will indicate the proper size in the installation instructions.

If you have metallic water supply lines, install di-electric unions to isolate the supply piping electrically from the hot water heater. These unions are inexpensive and help prevent corrosion.

Drain approximately 1 -2 gallons of hot water from your heater every two months to remove rust and sediment from the bottom of the tank. Do this procedure as you are running hot water from a faucet elsewhere in the house. This will help to agitate the water in the bottom of the tank.

Consider installing a water softener if your incoming water is exceptionally hard. The water softener will reduce the amount of dissolved minerals in the water.

Absolutely install an expansion tank when installing a new hot water heater. This tank will extend the life of your hot water heater.

Still Need Help? Type Your Keywords Here: (examples: drywall repair, pilot light goes out, poor lot drainage, crown molding guide, etc.) Your Facebook friends would love to know how this column helped you solve your problem. Type a quick comment of what you discovered here at AsktheBuilder.com. Thanks!

Comments: Welcome! I, Tim Carter, don't answer questions here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area, perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me, there is an option there for you. Eugene 09 Mar 2008, 16:52 Mostly because of high costs and number of years to recoup, I've decided against the tankless type water heaters. What I'd like to know is how long should a regular gas hot water heater last? Mine has a date of August 1997. AsktheBuilder 12 Mar 2008, 17:00 Eugene, You may think I am nuts, but a traditional tank heater can last indefinitely IF you make sure the anode rod never wears out. This means you install a new anode rod every 5 - 7 years. Dennis 22 Jul 2008, 13:29 I'm curious as to how many of these companies are actually in the United States, let me rephrase that, I wonder how many of these companies actually manufacture hot water heaters in this country. It seems that many brands are made by State Industries in Mexico and then re branded. janet 22 Sep 2008, 18:39 Do you know how I can find the age of a Hoyt brand water heater with the model number of 40HMEV and the serial # 0001147185? I can't even find anything made by Hoyt when I type it into Google. Thanks! Susan Holmes 06 Oct 2008, 00:23 I also have a Hoyt hot water heater dated 1980. I just need to know how to get it to heat water. My power was turned off and just recently was turned back on, so how do I reset the water heater,40 gal electric by Hoyt to work again? Anything you can tell me would be of help. Thank you for all your help. Susan Holmes Robert Charbonneau 09 Oct 2008, 00:01 I have a water heater manf. by American appliance manf. in Santa Monica. Are they still in business? this tank has a clean out on the side, is such a tank still available? thanks Don M 29 Apr 2009, 21:13 I have a Superheater, Water Heater, made in 1955. Model# RF402751251. I am considering replacing the heating elements on this unit. Do you know where I can find some more info on this unit. Such as what size heating elements to use. You also mentioned replacing anodes. I assume you mean zincs. Where do they go? Thanks for your help. Greta 23 Jun 2009, 09:14 I am looking to find the EF of a Hoyt water heater model number 52EE. Can you direct me to something? Steve Banyai 16 Sep 2009, 12:30 Hi. I was just wondering if you know why my water heater has silicone gel pellets inside ? I had another with the same type gel in it a few years ago. Does this help anything ? Is the gel toxic ? Thanks Dean Vargo 07 Dec 2009, 07:26 Hello, can you tell me how I can find the age of a Craftsman brand water heater with the model number of CRKEXR52D and the serial # 8807105468 F? Thank you, Dean A. Vargo      View all comments *Name: Email: Notify me about new comments on this page Hide my email *Text: Security Image: Security Image Text:   Remember, Tim Carter doesn't answer questions here in the comments. You need to go to the Ask Tim page.