I see Home Depot has a line of GE/Rheem gas water heaters:
- 40 gallon, 6 year warranty, 8
- 38 gallon, 9 year warranty, self-cleaning, 8
- 40 gallon, 12 year warranty, self-cleaning, 8
Other specs seem the same.
My question is, what does this self-cleaning mean, and is it likely that the extra bucks for the 12-year is a good investment?
(given that I'll also be paying to have them install it, which given venting and access issues will at least double the cost, the extra $80 isn't a big deal, but I'm still curious about it)