With our gas water heater ratings, you can compare units side by side using our Head To Head tool.
You can compare over 30 models from 16 brands in 10 categories such as warranty, efficiency, availability, & cost.
You can also read the individual reviews of each brand below.
Our simple rating system gives each brand a color code and a star rating. If the card is green, then, that is one of the top picks from HvacRepairGuy. If the card is yellow, then, that would be a budget pick from HvacRepairgGuy. If the card is red, then, the brand is not recommended by HvacRepairGuy. With our gas water heater reviews you can cut through the sales hype and find value. It truly is like you were taking a repairman shopping with you! These reviews are for units that burn natural or propane gas to heat a tank of water (at least 30 gallons) for domestic consumption. They are commonly called whole house storage water heaters.
This brand is a part of AO Smith and the water heaters are sold through a limited dealer network. The units use hot surface ignition which is more reliable and requires less maintenance than spark ignition systems and they have built-in heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water lines when hot water is not being used. The ProLine XE models are basic power vented water heaters with a 0.69 efficiency rating while the Nautilus models are high efficiency units with 0.86 rating and the Polaris models are their most energy efficient with a 0.90 efficiency rating. The Nautilus and Polaris models feature a spiral heat exchanger which keeps the hot gases from combustion in the tank longer so that more heat is extracted.
This brand offers basic power vented water heaters in either 40 or 50 gallon sizes and in either short or tall configurations. They use basic glass lined tank technology but are self cleaning to minimize sediment buildup. They have factory installed heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water lines when hot water is not being used but they use basic sacrificial anode technology. The water heaters have a 0.72 efficiency rating with only an average warranty and they are only sold and installed through their dealer network.
This brand is made in the USA and the water heaters are sold through a limited dealer network. The units use hot surface ignition which is more reliable and requires less maintenance than spark ignition systems and they have built-in heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water lines when hot water is not being used. The ProLine XE Power Vent models are basic power vented water heaters with a 0.72 efficiency rating while the Vertex models are high efficiency units with 0.86 rating and the Polaris models are their most energy efficient with a 0.90 efficiency rating. The Vertex and Polaris models feature a spiral heat exchanger which keeps the hot gases from combustion in the tank longer so that more heat is extracted. They have advanced electronic controls but use basic enameled tank technology and the guarantee is not very good when compared to some of the other brands.
These water heaters are made in the USA and feature glass lined tanks with microban antibacterial coating. The RG2PDV models are power vented water heaters with a 0.72 efficiency rating while the eF Series offers high efficiency units with Wi-Fi connectivity so they can be monitored and adjusted through a smartphone app. All of their units feature their Hydrojet technology to reduce sediment buildup but the guarantee on the brand is not as good as some of the other brands and they are only sold through a dealer network.
This brand is from GE Appliances which is a part of Haier Company and the units are only sold through a very limited plumber/dealer network. The RealMAX water heaters have glass lined tanks for corrosion resistance and magnesium anode rods which require periodic replacement. They are very inefficient atmospheric combustion units with a pilot light that just wastes energy. The tanks are backed by a good warranty but overall the brand should be avoided.
These water heaters are made and sold in Canada through a dealer network but their guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands. The UG models are available in three sizes and have a 0.69 efficiency rating. They use basic glass lined tank technology with a magnesium anode that requires periodic replacement. They use durable and reliable silicon nitride hot surface ignition and have a durable brass drain valve.
This brand is owned by AO Smith and is sold through hardware and home improvement stores in Canada. The units use hot surface ignition which is more reliable and requires less maintenance than spark ignition systems and they have built-in heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water lines when hot water is not being used. The Power Vent models are basic power vented water heaters with a 0.73 efficiency rating while the Envirosense SF models are high efficiency units with 0.86 rating and the Polaris models are their most energy efficient with a 0.90 efficiency rating. The Envirosense and Polaris models feature a spiral heat exchanger which keeps the hot gases from combustion in the tank longer so that more heat is extracted. They have advanced electronic controls but use basic enameled tank technology and the guarantee is not very good when compared to some of the other brands.
This brand is from Heat Transfer products which is a part of Ariston Thermo. The Phoenix Light Duty is a condensing gas-fired water heater with an AFUE of up to 96%. It has a stainless steel tank and electronic control as well as a modulating burner for energy savings. It is available in three tank sizes (50, 60, and 80 gallons) and has a durable cupronickel spiral heat exchanger. It has a side hot water outlet and bottom cold water inlet which minimizes mixing and provides for more usable hot water. It is a high capacity unit that is suitable for large homes or where whirlpool tubs are used and is backed by a very good guarantee.
These units are made by GSW which is owned by AO Smith and the units are sold through a limited dealer network in Canada. The units use hot surface ignition which is more reliable and requires less maintenance than spark ignition systems and they have built-in heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water lines when hot water is not being used. The Envirosense PDV models are basic power vented water heaters with a 0.73 efficiency rating while the Envirosense SF models are high efficiency units with 0.86 rating and the Polaris models are their most energy efficient with a 0.90 efficiency rating. The Envirosense and Polaris models feature a spiral heat exchanger which keeps the hot gases from combustion in the tank longer so that more heat is extracted. They have advanced electronic controls but use basic enameled tank technology and the guarantee is not very good when compared to some of the other brands.
This brand is made in the USA and is sold through a very limited dealer network. The Energy-Saver models are basic water heaters with glass lined tanks and zinc anodes for corrosion resistance. They are available in 30, 40, & 50 gallon sizes and have factory installed heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water pipes when hot water is not being used. The guarantee on the units is not very good when compared to of the other brands. The 35-50 models are their most energy efficient with a 0.90 efficiency rating and they feature a spiral heat exchanger which keeps the hot gases from combustion in the tank longer so that more heat is extracted. They have advanced electronic controls but use basic enameled tank technology.
This brand is made in the USA by Rheem Manufacturing which is a part of the Paloma Group and the water heaters are only sold through their limited dealer network. The Triton SS models are high efficiency units with leakguard leak detection and a built-in water shutoff valve. They have modulating controls and built-in Wi-Fi for monitoring and control as well as a powered anode for corrosion control. They feature three pass heat exchange and are available in either 80 or 100 gallon sizes but their warranty is not very good when compared to other brands.
This brand is a part of AO Smith and is available at hardware stores but their guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands. The YBVIS models are basic models with a standing pilot which wastes energy but they are power vented for flexibility in installation. The YTVIT models have hot surface ignition which is more reliable and requires less maintenance than spark ignition systems and they have built-in heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water lines when hot water is not being used.
This brand is a part of the Paloma Group and the water heaters are made in the USA. The brand features units with electronic gas controls and silicon nitride hot surface ignition systems which are more reliable and require less maintenance than spark ignition systems. The Performance Series Power Vent models are available in 40, 50, or 75 gallon sizes with a 0.65 efficiency rating and they can be purchased through The Home Depot. The Professional Classic Plus Power Direct Vent models have a sealed combustion system with makes the home more energy efficient and they are backed by a better guarantee than the Performance series models but they require professional installation. The Professional Prestige Maximus models are their most efficient water heaters with a 0.88 efficiency rating and they have built-in leak detection with an LCD control panel and an audible leak alarm. They offer an optional automatic water shutoff valve and are backed by a very good warranty but they also require professional installation.
This brand is built by Rheem Manufacturing which is a part of the Paloma Group and the water heaters can be purchased at Menards home improvement stores. The brand features units with electronic gas controls and silicon nitride hot surface ignition systems which are more reliable and require less maintenance than spark ignition systems. The Essential Series Power Vent models are available in 40, 50, or 75 gallon sizes with a 0.65 efficiency rating. The Encore Super high Efficiency models are their most efficient water heaters with a 0.88 efficiency rating and they have built-in leak detection with an LCD control panel and an audible leak alarm. They offer an optional automatic water shutoff valve and are Wi-Fi enabled so they can be controlled through their EcoNet smartphone app.
This brand is a part of the Paloma Group and the water heaters are made in the USA by Rheem Manufacturing but they can only be purchased through their dealer network with professional installation. The brand features units with electronic gas controls and silicon nitride hot surface ignition systems which are more reliable and require less maintenance than spark ignition systems. The Professional Achiever Series Power Vent models are available in 40 or 50 gallon sizes with a 0.65 efficiency rating while the Professional Achiever Plus Power Direct Vent models have a sealed combustion system with makes the home more energy efficient and they are backed by a better guarantee than the Achiever Series models. The Professional Ultra Super High Efficiency models are their most efficient water heaters with a 0.88 efficiency rating and they have built-in leak detection with an LCD control panel and an audible leak alarm. They offer an optional automatic water shutoff valve and are backed by a very good warranty as well as having built-in Wi-Fi for control through their EcoNet smartphone app.
This brand is made in the USA and is a part of AO Smith. The water heaters are sold through their plumber/dealer network but they only have an average guarantee. The YTVIT models have hot surface ignition which is more reliable and requires less maintenance than spark ignition systems and they have built-in heat traps to minimize heat loss through the water lines when hot water is not being used. The ProLine XE Polaris models are their most energy efficient with a 0.90 efficiency rating and they feature a spiral heat exchanger which keeps the hot gases from combustion in the tank longer so that more heat is extracted. They have advanced electronic controls but use basic enameled tank technology.
This brand is built by Rheem Manufacturing which is a part of the Paloma Group and the water heaters can be purchased at home improvement stores such as Menards and The Home Depot. They offer basic water heaters with a standing pilot and atmospheric combustion which wastes energy. They are only available in one size (40 gallon) and they use basic glass lined tank technology. The guarantee on the units is not very good when compared to the other brands and these water heaters should be avoided.
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