I need to replace my old 40 gallon gas hot water heater and there are 3 likely choices for me, and I have a few questions.
GE Smartwater (from Home Depot) Whirlpool (From Lowes) Kenmore (Sears)
Since they are all basically the same price, does one brand have a better reputation for quality, as far as gas water heaters go?
Is it worth $100 more for a 12 year warranty vs. a 6 year warranty? My water heaters seem to last about 8 years. My first one (AO Smith) lasted 8 years before it burst and flooded my basement, and my 2nd one, which is also an AO Smith needs to be replaced now, after 8 years.
Maybe that's all I can get out of a water heater, based on my quality of water, so should I just be getting 6 year water heaters and just try and replace them when they seem ready to fail? Otherwise, to collect on a warranty, it seems I'd have to let it fail, or maybe burst and flood my basement again.
Steve