REVIEW: Rheem Electric Water Heater

This product review is on the Rheem brand Electric Water Heater. I want to help you determine “Are electric water heaters any good” and if the Rheem brand is a good quality brand. I will be referring to the Rheem Performance 40 Gal. Medium 6 Year 4500/4500-Watt Elements Electric Tank Water Heater because I have personal experience with this specific model.

I have had this Rheem water heater installed in one of my rental units one year ago. I have had no issue since installing it. I had to replace a twenty plus year old gas water heater. The old gas water heater was not vented correctly, and it was safer, easier and cheaper to go with an electric replacement.

If you need to go with a gas water heater Rheem also makes these for a reasonable price but they are slightly higher than the electric water heaters. Gas water heaters are usually preferred over electric, but the new electric water heaters have come along way in the areas of cost effectiveness to run and their effectiveness in heating water for a whole house.

1. Rheem Electric Water Heater Quality

Size –                                        40 Gal. (Rheem makes up to 80 gallon)

Watts –                                    Dual 4500 Watt Heating Elements

Volts –                                     240

Manufactures Warranty –      1 Year in Home

6 Year Limited, Tank and Parts

Deliverability –                        53 gallons of hot water in the first hour

Consumer Rating –                 4.4 Out of 5

Overview – Rheem makes a solid line of water heaters. I know a few plumbers that install the Rheem brand of hot water heaters. Rheem scores almost exactly the same as other brands such as Westinghouse, although Westinghouse does come with a better warranty.

As you can see above this water heater delivers 53 gallons of hot water in the first hour. This is impressive for an electric water heater compared to the water heaters that were made five or ten years ago. Just to compare, the Rheem GAS Hot Water Heater delivers 68 gallons of hot water in the first hour, so there is a noticeable difference between gas and electric.

Since having the Rheem electric hot water heater installed I have asked my tenants how good it works and if they like it and they have told me that it does a good job and they have no complaints.

2. Rheem Electric Water Heater Value

Rheem Electric Water Heater Price –            $329

The Rheem brand of hot water heaters is a cheaper option as far as price is concerned. According to Rheem Specifications for this hot water tank, it contains a glass lined tank which is quite common. Higher end hot water tanks will come with a Stainless Steel lined tank.

The tank lining is one area Rheem uses to save money the other is the warranty they offer. The one year “in home” warranty is nice, but I bet it is very uncommon for them to actually get a call in the first year. The parts warrant is pretty standard for the industry, but the tank warranty only being six years one reason this is a lower cost option for hot water tanks.

The Westinghouse 40 Gallon Hot Water Tank with its stainless steel lined tank offers a lifetime warranty on the tank its self. The parts warranty is the standard six-year warranty.

3. Rheem Electric Water Heater Installation

Skill Level –     Pro

Time –             2 to 4 Hours

Installing a water heater in most areas will be a job that your local plumbing codes requires a licensed plumber to handle. Outside of building code requirements I would say this is an intermediate level job.

You would have to be knowledgeable in both general plumbing and electrical trades and you will need a few plumbing tools and electrical tools. There are just a couple of water connections and one electrical connection but if you are not trained in these areas it may be best to call in a professional. My plumber only charged me $200 in labor to remove the old water heater and install the new one, he also filled the hole in the foundation wall where the old “illegal” vent was located.

In most areas all electrical and plumbing work is required to be done by a licensed electrician. Make sure you know and understand your local building code.

You can buy the Rheem Electric Water Heater at your local Home Depot, you can also order online (by clicking one of the links here) and pick up in store (where available). They will get it ready for you, when you show up you will go to the pick-up desk and it will be waiting for you. You don’t have to waste any time looking through the store.

I hope you have found this information helpful. Leave me a comment and let me know if you have a Rheem Electric Water Heater in your home and what you think of it.