Rheem vs State Water Heaters: The Ultimate 2025 Showdown
Your day started with a cold shower. Now you face a stressful, urgent decision: choosing a new water heater. You see Rheem models readily available at the local big-box store, but your trusted plumber insists on a State water heater. This immediate conflict creates confusion. Which brand is truly better, and how do you choose?
Making the wrong choice can lead to years of lukewarm showers, high energy bills, and premature replacement costs. This guide will cut through the noise, providing a clear, comprehensive comparison to help you make the best decision for your home and budget.
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The Surprising Connection: Who Really Makes These Heaters?
Before diving into a head-to-head battle, it’s crucial to understand the corporate landscape. You might be surprised to learn that there’s a significant overlap. State Industries was acquired by A.O. Smith, another major water heater manufacturer, in 2001. A.O. Smith is a direct competitor to Rheem.
Rheem Manufacturing Company is a private company owned by Paloma Industries of Japan. This means while they appear as distinct brands on the shelf, the engineering and manufacturing philosophies can sometimes have shared roots or competitive benchmarks from a larger corporate perspective.
Availability: Where You Buy Matters More Than You Think
Perhaps the most significant practical difference between Rheem and State is their distribution model. This single factor can heavily influence your choice, installation process, and overall cost.
Rheem: The Retail Champion
Rheem has a massive retail presence. You can walk into almost any Home Depot and find a selection of Rheem water heaters ready to take home. This makes it an attractive option for DIY-savvy homeowners or those who need an immediate replacement and want to manage the purchase themselves.
State: The Professional’s Choice
State water heaters are primarily sold through professional plumbing supply houses. This means they are almost exclusively purchased and installed by licensed plumbers. While you can’t just buy one off the shelf, this model ensures the unit is selected and installed by a professional, which can be critical for longevity.
Core Feature Comparison: A Head-to-Head Breakdown
When you look past the brand name, the real difference lies in the specific models. Both Rheem and State offer a tiered range of products, from basic gas and electric tanks to high-efficiency tankless and hybrid models. Here’s how they generally stack up across key features.
Energy Efficiency and Performance
Both brands offer products that meet and exceed modern energy standards. Look for the Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) rating on any model you consider; a higher number means greater efficiency.
Rheem’s ProTerra Hybrid series, for example, is known for its exceptional energy savings. State, under A.O. Smith, offers comparable high-efficiency lines like their ProLine XE series.
Warranty and Customer Support
Warranties are very similar between the two brands, typically ranging from 6 to 12 years for the tank and parts. The key difference often reported by homeowners is the warranty claim process. Since State heaters are sourced through professionals, the plumber who installed the unit is your first point of contact for service. For Rheem, you might be dealing directly with the manufacturer or the retail store’s support line.
Technology and Innovation
The water heater industry has embraced smart technology. Rheem’s EcoNet Smart Monitoring System allows you to control your water heater from your phone, get alerts about leaks, and track energy usage. State offers similar capabilities in its high-end models, often leveraging A.O. Smith’s technology platforms.
Build Quality and Components
Both brands produce reliable tanks. One minor but important detail to check is the anode rod. Anode rods protect your tank from corrosion. Some base models use cheaper aluminum rods, while premium models use magnesium rods, which are generally considered better, especially for homes with soft water.
It is also important to consider the placement and safety of your unit. For example, if you are looking for ways to conceal your unit, you might want to learn more about how to hide a furnace and water heater in a garage.
Feature Comparison Table: Rheem vs. State
| Feature | Rheem | State |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Availability | Big-box retail (Home Depot) | Professional plumbing supply houses |
| Typical Warranty | 6, 9, and 12-year options for tank & parts | 6, 8, and 10-year options for tank & parts |
| Smart Technology | EcoNet Smart Monitoring on select models | Smart technology available on premium models |
| Product Tiers | Performance, Professional, and Marathon series | ProLine, ProLine XE, and Premier series |
| Installation | Can be DIY or professionally installed | Almost always professionally installed |
| Anode Rods | Varies by model (Aluminum or Magnesium) | Varies by model (Typically Magnesium in higher tiers) |
Real-World Reliability: What Do Homeowners Say?
Searching forums like Reddit reveals a crucial truth: the quality of the installation is often more important than the brand name. A poorly installed premium water heater will fail much faster than a professionally installed basic model. Many negative reviews for both brands can be traced back to improper installation, such as inadequate venting or faulty connections.
Homeowners often praise Rheem for its accessibility and advanced features on retail models. Conversely, many users express high satisfaction with State heaters due to the peace of mind that comes with a professional installation and the robust build of their commercial-grade lines.
Cost Analysis: Upfront Price vs. Long-Term Value
Rheem often appears cheaper at first glance because you can see the unit’s price tag at the store. A standard 50-gallon Rheem electric heater might cost between $500 and $800 for the unit alone. State’s pricing is typically bundled with installation, so a quote from a plumber might be $1,500 to $2,500, which includes the heater, labor, and necessary parts.
However, you must compare total project costs. Factor in the cost of a professional plumber to install the Rheem unit, which can add $800 to $1,500. When comparing total installed costs, the price difference often narrows significantly. The long-term value comes from energy savings and a longer, trouble-free lifespan, which again points back to quality installation.
Making the Final Decision: Which Brand is Right for You?
The best choice depends entirely on your situation, budget, and priorities.
For the Confident DIY Homeowner
If you have the skills and tools to install a water heater correctly and safely, Rheem is an excellent choice. Its retail availability gives you control over the process and timing. Just be sure to follow all local plumbing and electrical codes.
For the “Set It and Forget It” Homeowner
If you want a seamless, professional experience and the peace of mind that comes with it, State is the superior option. Calling a trusted local plumber to supply and install a State heater is a proven path to reliability. The installer will also handle any warranty claims should an issue arise.
For the Tech-Savvy and Eco-Conscious
If you’re focused on smart features and maximum efficiency, you’ll need to compare specific high-end models from both brands. Look at Rheem’s ProTerra hybrids with EcoNet and State’s Premier hybrid models. When upgrading to these advanced units, especially tankless models, it is essential to understand the specific electrical needs, for example, investigating does a tankless water heater need a gfci breaker is a crucial step.
The Verdict in the Rheem vs. State Debate
The battle between Rheem and State water heaters isn’t about one brand being definitively “better” than the other. Both manufacture a wide range of quality products to fit different needs and budgets. The real deciding factors are distribution channels and the quality of the installation.
Ultimately, a professionally installed State water heater and a professionally installed Rheem water heater are both likely to provide years of reliable service.
Your final choice should be based on whether you prefer the retail/DIY-friendly path of Rheem or the plumber-supplied, professionally installed path of State. Proper maintenance and safety considerations, such as knowing how to safely use a bug bomb in a garage with a water heater, are also key to longevity.
