From: Javier 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house alt.home.repair
Subject: Re: Gas water heaters
Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 12:36:37 -0400

Joseph Meehan wrote:
> rob wrote:
>> I'm in the houston, texas area (hard water) and want to get an idea
>> what is a good brand for gas hot water heaters?  I think my current is
>> two 52 gallon size.  My house is about 8 years old.   Any idea what a
>> plumber charges for parts and labor (for 2 of them)?
>>
>> And does consumer reports have anything on best brands?
>>
>> thanks.
> 
>     You must use a lot of hot water.  BTW you don't heat hot water so you 
> can call them "water heaters"  :-)
> 
>     Do you really need two water heaters?
> 
>     If your home is only 8 years old, I wonder if you need to worry about 
> replacements yet.  Are your neighbors with the same water supply and same 
> age water heaters starting to have problems?


I bought a new house in CA in 1998. The water heater installed by the 
builder had a 3 year warranty. It failed after about 3.5 years in 
service, leaking badly at the bottom of the tank.

The brand was something like cheapasspieceofcrap, inc.

That same evening I trekked down to Home Despot, bought a GE (the model 
with the 9 year warranty, I think) and installed it myself. It was 
working fine last year when we sold the house...

It wasn't a complicated job at all. Just water supply, hot water output, 
and gas supply. I called the gas co. next day, they came over and 
inspected it at no charge, the guy said "looks professional!".

-jav