Typical builder's unit. At the 4 year, 11 month point, ... no hot water. Local electric company says they will repair for free if under 5 years, because they have control unit to shut off during peak hours. Everyone in our development is replacing between 5 and 7 years.

We never had enough hot water in the 5 years we lived here. What hot there was never got above 123 degrees as measured at the outflow. Fix it for free, or buy a new one? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Free is good..... unit isn't.

Went with a tankless, gas fired unit. Rebates from local gas company, heater manufacturer and tax credit from gov. made it a no-brainer.

If you want a mediocre, high energy consuming, low performing unit that will die in 5 years, the BW is for you.

Sorry, this was posted incorrectly under comments for another 'happy' BW owner...

Rerplaced an old AO SMith, a little upset I did not spend more money and buy a high recvovery unit. 3100 square foot home in NJ ranch style so their are very long runs of piping for my hot water. Big issue in waiting for hot water, and considered having a loop installed but with energy costs what they are I guess I cna wait a little for the hot water.

Efficiencey...absolutley no difference in utility bills vs. my old AO SMith with 25 pounds of sediment in it. So note to self..Bradford White cost $400+ and when I sell the home the buyer will just notice that the tank has been updated, no one other than a Plumber has ever heard of Bradford White, versus an AO SMith replacement whihc would have cost double but wopuld have been more efficient and been a selling point once I sell the home.

SPend now save later, save now spend every month, bad decision on the purchase, unit runs out of water after one 20 minute shower, while HE WHorpool Duet front loader washing machine is running, not sure if that is suppossed to happen, but again I am dissapointed that I di d not spend more money upfront. Its like buing a Ford Taurus instead of a Honda Accord, one performs better, is more expensive intially, retains its value and perfomrs more efficienctly..... and the other is cheaper...