Changing my mind on water heater

[Ludington]

I was set on buying a marathon heater for roughly 1500. Then started reading some bad reviews about the connections leaking and how the connectors are only being held by a thin piece of copper.
Since my water likes to eat copper, I don't think so.
This sent me back to our esteemed pros recommending to just get the low end units for 5-600 .
I believe this is now my route... but which brand ? Ream, ao Smith?
Do yall have a preference? And warranty level ? 6 year, 10, 12 ?
Thanks

 

[sarg]

My last two have been Rheem and I've been pondering just buying another to have it on hand.

 

[Ludington]

I wish maytag still made them.

 

[Twowaxhack]

If just by the basic Rheem 6yr heater and run it until it fails. I do the same with truck tires, basic tires and run them till they’re slick.

 

[Ludington]

If just by the basic Rheem 6yr heater and run it until it fails. I do the same with truck tires, basic tires and run them till they’re slick.

Yup, that's what I'm looking at, might bump it one step to get the self cleaning , which I'm assuming is the bent fill pipe so it swirls, and the brass hose bib.

 

[breplum]

Any of the brands are equal. Our regular plumbing suppliers are so high, most of my friends are getting them at HD.

 

[Ludington]

I'm reading reviews and finding so many " leaks after being installed" makes me really wonder about the quality of these new units. (Any of them)
My 24 year old maytag is still running , I was going to replace just because of its age, now I'm thinking, run it till it dies. I hate buying crap.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I'm reading reviews and finding so many " leaks after being installed" makes me really wonder about the quality of these new units. (Any of them)
My 24 year old maytag is still running , I was going to replace just because of its age, now I'm thinking, run it till it dies. I hate buying crap.

Yeah but how many people don’t leave reviews much less good reviews. I buy a few Rheem heaters a month and I’ve never left a review. Have a had problems ? A few, yes I have but I’ve found that every brand has problems.

 

[JEG in Raleigh]

For what it’s worth, I’ve had a 50 gallon Marathon WH for 8 years with zero problems. I’m on a well with softener and backwash filter before the WH. I’ve had a second Marathon on a guest house, for 3 years with no problems also. The heating elements are unique to Marathons and I bought a set of spares to be able to replace immediately if or when an original element fails.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

If just by the basic Rheem 6yr heater and run it until it fails. I do the same with truck tires, basic tires and run them till they’re slick.

My plumber says that the units warranted for either the 6yr, 10yr or 12yr are the exact same unit the only difference being the cost and, of course, the warranty period.

 

[Ludington]

What I read was the brass connectors in the marathon are connected to the marathon via a thin copper plate. My water puts pinholes in copper, so I have a problem with that.
Also, been told as far as warranty, if its a DIY install, no warranty coverage by rheem , has to be pro installed.
more than likely the cost of a pro install would cover buying a new one anyway. (Nothing against pro installers !)

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Pro install would double, maybe triple, the cost. Nothing against pros either especially if the work is outside the scope of my abilities.