Bradford White MI40T6FBN-394 40 Gallon Natural Gas Water Heater

Purchased this exact model from the local reputable plumber and had them install it. 6 year warranty, just found the dreaded puddle under the tank 4 months after the warranty expired. I did call the plumber about 2 years ago to change the anode, and he refused the job because he said he gets too many complaints about water smelling bad afterward due to a chemical reaction. I was going to change it myself but they soldered the pipes and I wasn't about to cut my water lines. I had been draining sediment periodically. So this might partially be my fault for not changing the anode. But c'mon, 4 months after the warranty? And you read a lot of other people have the same timing. Too many other brands to try, going to try something else. I have relatives with rental properties and they bought cheap menards and fleet farm tanks, those have not failed yet in 15 years.

I bought one last year and suffered all winter with headaches and feeling dizzy and sometimes sick to my stomach. I talked to a plumber and Bradford White and they all said it has no problems. The hot water heater should vent straight up or it should have the power exhaust that comes with some of the hot water heaters. Mine has neither straight up venting or power exhaust. And must go about a 4 1/2 foot across to the chimney before venting into the side of the chimney. I didn't have any problem until I replaced my hot water heater with a pilot light to one without. The pilot kept enough heat in the line to push fumes up the pipe to the chimney. It's okay now as we are in summer and the basement window is open and it is venting out the window, and some up a the chimney. I will have to replace with either one with a power exhaust or electric hot water heater before next winter. And I just put this in last spring.

Worked well until a couple months out of its six year warranty when it burst and caused a basement flood.

Just replaced previous Bradford White heater installed 15 years ago. It was still a good heater, but I had it replaced to avoid a possible failure due to its' age. These things tend to happen at the most inopportune time.

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This water heater was producing massive amounts of hydrogen from the magnesium anode rod that is the default metal for the anode in this product. This water heater would rapidly develop (within 24 hrs of prior usage) huge spurts, sputters of H2 - dangerous levels. I am a PhD physicist/engineer, not exaggerating the condition. When I called Bradford White, they were snippy and told me the water problem was mine, not theirs. Yes, I live in Tucson, and our water is hard. After researching, I ordered & installed a new aluminum anode - the magnesium anode rod was almost entirely consumed after < 1 year. With the Al rod, there is not a single sputter of hydrogen, and now it works fine. But not a lot of fun changing out the rod.Bradford White says they use a rod which works for "most of their customers". Yet they ship this product to a city where the Mg rod it is entirely inappropriate and bogus and take no responsibility for it. Bad company, bad product.We have 3 hot water headers in our home - the other two are AO Smith with Al anode rods that have stainless cores. Work flawlessly. Keep away from Bradford White if your area has hard water.

Pretty much short life junk here. Mine lasted just under 5.5 years then started leaking. Not even 6 years out of this piece of junk. Not sure any others are any better. Everything these days is junk. Cheap materials, illegal workers, low waged workers, high paid CEOs. All these things come together for a piece of junk item.

I note a lot of bashing of this heater on this forum by people who didn't buy them here. I'm a plumbing contractor and have been installing Bradford White for over 20 years. In a typical year I would install 50 of these. I've also been manufacturers rep for other makers of water heates. Bradford White, the only USA made heater (Union Made too) is a superior heater. Control failures are usually customer unable to read the relighting sequence printer on the heater. Early tank failures (earlier than 12-15 years) are indicative of either very aggressive water or installation issues such as failure to recognize and install thermal expansion control tanks on systems that require same. I make my living with these, selling and servicing them. i also work on the others. A small percentage of tanks can have manufacturing defects, but its not the normal cause of tank or control problems. You can buy (your plumber can sell) a warranty extension to 10 years. Same heater, you pay a bit more for the peace of mind. These are a plumbers water heater, not normally available retail. Good results from a water heater installation come from having an experienced plumber install. Your cousin or brother in law may be a fine guy, but have the water heater done by a pro. A real pro, go to the Bradford White online site if you need help locating a qualified plumber. On last thing. Bradford White stands strongly behind its product in terms of warranty. Folks who indicate issues are being given bad advise by guys who don't know how to get warrant service initiated (Again, see Bradford White website for help). Last gift to you for reading through, type in the model number and search for prices, some of these Amazon partner resellers have crazy pricing. In a small town, this heater installed with new flex lines, gas line, earthquake strap and haul away runs about $825, in the big city add $200.