I too agree CR could/should do more on water heaters.  Thanks for the good information on brands to consider.  Based on all the forums, obviously brand, energy use and customer service do make a difference.

Larry: >>...and they're all the same....<<

Larry -

Are there really no differences?

Is the tank stainless or mild steel with a coating?

For example is the glass as uniform in all models?

Does the pilot light restart with a match or with a spark igniter?

Are the replacement parts standard off the shelf, or exotic OEM only parts?

Are the cathodes the same?

Are dip tubes the same?

Does the "autoswirl"  really help?

Do the models really provide the amount of hot water that the labels assert?

Is the energy usage accurate in a real world environment?
Or is it just the most optimistic interpretation of the data that the company could put on the unit?

Is the thermostat accurate or does it drift over time?

Is a brand x with a 12 year warranty better than a 6 year warranty model from the same brand?
Or is it really the same with a sur-charge to cover the warranty?

What does the warranty cover?

How thick is the insulation?
How effective is it?

Do the PRESSURE ratings really match the tank?

Does the relief valve work for both temp and pressure?
Is it accurate?

How does the unit respond to hydraulic "hammering" from a fast closing valve on a long run?

Is the drain valve metal or plastic?
Which is better?
Why? Is Always better or just sometimes?
Seems that there might be one or two questions whose answers might help some consumers to differentiate among the brands and models.

I am quite confused either you're asking me a question or slapping me in the face. I cannot tell. There is little if ANY difference between BRANDS of water heaters (dealing with tank types here). Yes within every mfgrs family of heaters there are diffrent FEATURES but it's up to the buyer to determine the features they want/need. BOttom line an AO Smith with a feature set will be the SAME unit as the Rheem with the same feature set. Only the name plate will vary. Only 2 or 3 mfgrs make these things. Yes they add different FEATURES and than rebrand the units accordingly. I don't know what's so hard here?

To be more clear Larry,
I'm not trying to distinguish among brands.

I'd like to know which features are of value to me.
Without data, how can I judge between features
or
between tank and tankless.

Is a stainless tank a better value than a glass lined mild steel?

If so, why?

If not, why not?

Will the answer vary depending on other variables such as water quality.

If one is better, how much longer might a consumer expect it to last?
Will one use less energy than the other?

Without DATA, how is a consumer supposed to decide "which features they want/need?"

I don't really care what the nameplate says.
I want to know what substantive differences each feature provides and what its relative value is.

Most water we get into our households has things that while not bad for consumption are murder on water heaters. Hence the need for not exposing the inner tank directly to water. So a plain steel tank requires a liner. They call it "glass lined" basically it's like porcelain cookware. Though a stainless tank would be the best I can imagine they get rather spendy.
In a basic heater you'll find warranty claims i.e. 5 yr, 10, etc. The biggest difference here is the size of the sacrificial anode.
The biggest favor you can do for longevity is to flush the heater every 6 mos to a year depending on water type.
Than there are higher efficiency types which require special venting. IMO if you're going to go here than you might as well go tankless. This is what I did and I will NEVER look back. That unit has offset it's price premium and performs wonderfully. Frankly the report in CR here was so fraught with misleading data they did a terrible disservice to this wonderful technology.

you mention the tankless and seem very satisfied.

I would be concerned that the solids would build up inside the tubes.

Is there anything that you can do to prevent that?

>>>.... Though a stainless tank would be the best I can imagine they get rather spendy....

That's exactly the kind of testing and analysis I would like to see.

Specifically,
How much more does stainless cost
and
How much longer does it last?

There are also different types of stainless.
It would be good to know if the material used varied from model to model or brand to brand.

Does the porcelain conduct heat as well as stainless? Does it have an effect on operating costs?

First I am very satisfied. When I read the CR write up I could not believe how inaccurate they were. All they did was help to perpetuate the negative myths about this wonderful technology. Mine has literally paid for itself in a VERY short time. The more hot water you use (i.e. the more teen girls you have) the faster the payout. :-)
As for deposits there aren't any I have seen in over 2 years of use. I do use a water softner as my water is in the 40 grain area and it would be suicidal to every plumbing appliance in my home (including the heater). Not to mention that soft water for bathing and so on is so much more pleasant to use.
As for the "glass" in a glass lined tank. I suppose that it MIGHT cut efficiency but to such a minuscule degree no one could even measure it especially given how truly inefficient tank heaters are to begin with (even the so called high efficiency units).

I just read the messages on the water heaters - I would recommend going to consumersearch.com - under water heaters they cover types, best tank-type, & tankless - I found the recommendations informative

Not sure why you sent this to me? I made my decision over 2 years ago and it was a good one.

Larry - The reason that the person responded to you was because you made it a point to reply to every person who put a comment up to basically do their homework and you were borderline insulting with it. 

Also, it would be my guess that you've never worked in manufacturing.  For you to say that units made at the same factory that have different names put on are the same is a fallacy on your part.  On the contrary.  I watched the "how its made" on these and one of the things that was clear to me is that they were using different parts based on what the brand was.  And this happens quite frequently.  It allows the manufacturers to use lesser quality parts on the same production line, just making a different model because the assembly process is either identical or nearly so.

Instead of coming off like everyone is stupid and repeating yourself a hundred times and not necessarily giving people any help, why not get more information yourself or don't comment.

As the last poster mentioned, consumerresearch.com does a great job of being more detailed about things that are important when it comes to making an educated decision about water heaters.  And it would have been easy for consumer reports to mention this.

Hey whatever. If you think I am condescending than so be it. Maybe I am, maybe not. And no I have NEVER worked in mfg. but I HAVE looked quite deeply in to the subject matter. I also know someone that used to work in (I believe Rheem) in south suburban Chicago. Now if I got the brand of the factory wrong than I did. Anyway I learned directly from this friend who was there that these things were all the same, and they just slapped so many with this brand or that and put them in the appropriate box.

Now from personal experience, I remember BUYING a heater. The box was completely sealed directly from the factory. Inside was a completely different brand than was on the box.

If you think it's so important to worry about the brand on the box that's your perogative. Far be it from me to deprive you of that pleasure.

I still say and believe they are pretty much all the same (save for BTU, tank size, and type of anode rod). All based on price point and efficincy rating.

 

I think you are correct Larry. i have a P.O.S. kenmore powermiser 9 (9yr warr.)has had numerous problems with the pilot assy. in doing some of my own research,home depot,model,(g.e) i allmost stole the pilot assy,,it`s the same thing!!! same with the stuff @menards lowes S.O.S. just pick your preference and order extra parts immediatly!! no one stocks parts..!!! they all take up to 6 days shipping...why ??? that`s B.S. stock parts for something i bought from your store !!!!
also,sears says my,tank,burnner assy.,and pilot assy.are under warranty pilot assy. is $36.99 however,i did not buy the service contract,and to come out to fix my water heater was $90.00 service call.shipping from sears parts whse. as sears does not stock at sears parts and repair or sears hdwe. was $10.99. i do beleive most models are the same,6,9 or 12 yr. warranty sticker is attached after you pay for it. $$$$
i can see how it would be difficult for c.r to do comprehensive testing and reporting on water heaters,as after they compile the info,the heater is 9 yrs. old allready.new models are out.thats why if you get your questioneer,and have experienced hot water heater issues,, fill it out !!!!

I agree with the advice to go to consumersearch.com/water-heaters.  That site provides much of the infomation that I would of expected from this site. 

I'm of the opinion there CR could and should test, rate and recommend water heaters, as in other products.  That's regardless of how many manufacturers there are and how "simply" the product operates.  The research, results of the research and recommendations are why I subscribe.  But, hey, I'm only one person. 

I'd agree.

Subscribers have come to expect ratings when they look up a product on the CR website.

The absence of a rating table (whether the rows are brand name models, or groups of brand name models made by the same manufacturer) is a major disappointment.

Even generic assessments of the features offered (Expense vs. Payoff time) and a table showing which current models have which features would be better than what the CR site has now.

I'm going to need to buy a water heater in the near future, and CR has basically told me "here is a list of things that can be bought, good luck."

What d oyou expect them to do? Yep water gets hot yep yep "recommended"

If you are a diy-er walk in to a home center of your choice, buy the size and type fuel you want, take home and install.

If you need a plumber buy what he/she installs. That way if something goes wrong they take "ownership". Never "tell" a specialist what to do or your on your own.

I agree - it's terrible to see such a common appliance lacking the same comparison tables CR provides other products.  I could be wrong, but I believe such a table was present before, as recently as 6 months ago when I shopped for a heater for my rental property.  Perhaps they're working up a new one.

Meanwhile, you can find a good "review of reviews" here: http://www.consumersearch.com/water-heaters

To "Phil", "Larry," and others:  Thanks so much for your discussion.  You are clear and to the point in your writing.  It's very helpful and informative to read and helps me in my pursuit of one of life's necessities--HOT WATER.  Kudos to CR for their willingness to post long, detailed messages that might not always agree with CR and might sometimes even be critical of CR!