Customer Reviews for Rheem Gladiator 55 Gal. Tall 12-Year 5500-Watt Double Element Smart Electric Water Heater w/ Leak Detection and Auto Shutoff

This HWH was one of a very few that would fit in the space we needed to replace our old one. It was easy to install. We have had it about a week now. The wireless is working well. We have plenty of hot water! Since this HWH will sit behind a wall, at the back of a closet, we were really happy to have the leak detection information available. Hopefully, we will get a long, long time without any issues!

Home Depot contractor installed this along with the newly required (by county code) expansion tank. While he was doing the install, I installed the EcoNet app on my phone. He finished and I finished the app install. He wasn't gone 20 minutes and I got an app alert that a leak was detected! Checked it out and sure enough, the solder at the T connection to the expansion tank was spraying water all over the top of the tank. Installer returned and fixed it. The app is a great thing! (And it is nice to have plenty of hot water too!)

So far the Rheem Gladiator hot water tank has been great. No problems and I would get an alarm on my cell phone is there is one. The automatic water shutoff sets one's mind at ease. The only problem was not with the tank but with the plumber who installed it. Please get what the installation entails in writing before you sign the agreement! I didn't and got charged an additional $329.00 for one copper elbow to move the expansion tank from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The plumber claimed that it consisted of "an expansion tank installation."

Good value water heater. As described, works well. Diappointed that the unit was dented. The box is thin and there is no internal padding or protection. The last unit I purchased was also dented! If you open the box to check at the store, you loose the ability to easily transport the unit. Once you haul it to the job site, and most likely down into the basement, and then discover it is dented, it is unreasionable to try to rebox the unit and haul it back for a replacement that may well be dented. Other reviews have indicated similar issues. I responded to the survey on the receipt and asked for a call but none was received.

We're very happy with this unit. Our plumber installed it in no time whatsoever (in a little over an hour). We're absolutely excited with the WiFi feature, we can monitor the hot water temp and see how much is available (useful when everyone is trying to take a shower at the same time) via the Rheem Android App. I highly recommend this 50gal Rheem Gladiator Platinum water heater, 5 Stars for sure!

Ordered online for store pickup. When I arrived it was on a rolling cart undamaged and ready to go. The checkout was fast. 2 employees quickly loaded my car. At home the installation went smoothly and the tank works as it should. I am 100% satisfied with the purchase and the product.

I installed this myself and all went smooth except for connecting it to wi fi. I followed the instructions to connect it to my iphone 8s but would get stuck at the same spot every time I tried. I called technical support and they led me through the steps to connect it. There was a lot more steps than what was in the instructions. After I talked to tech support we got it connected and has been connected ever since. The water heater itself has been working great. I like that I can control it with my phone and the 12 yr. warranty. I would have given 5 stars except for the wi fi problem.

The app is inconsistent. It is problematic in the scheduling and the energy consumption is terrible. The schedule changes on its own. I have a setting of 125F in the morning from 4am to 730am. I’ve often looked at it at 5am and it’s set at 110F. I’ve looked at it at 6pm at night and it’s set at 125F. In addition, the energy consumption has shown none for several days and that’s impossible. The app therefore, I think is not done right. Otherwise the water heater itself is great. I love the warranty.

Leak detection turns off the water every day! I have to override shutoff valve every night. I have checked for leaks everywhere to no avail, no water on top of tank present, the error still persists. I am disatisfied with this feature.

The Rheem Gladiator hot water heater makes it easy for me to efficiently control my water. I save money by lowering the temp when we aren't going to use it. It has a very good alarm if there is a leak and it has a bypass option. I am able to control my hot water heater as if it were a sink tap. Its no longer an appliance that is ignored, or just there. I can see all my usage information in the application and make adjustments. It takes all the unknowns and guess work out of owning a hot water heater. Its more than a smart appliance. I have peace of mind if there is ever a leak and I understand my hot water heater and its usage better than ever before.

I’m happy with this unit. Heats more efficiently than my last unit. And it gives me the peace of mind that it will shut itself off if it detects a leak. The app works well. Doesn’t disconnect like some of my other home automation devices.

I had this installed about six months ago and love it. As it is a WiFi connected device, I’m able to set the water temp I want from anywhere. That also allows the unit to send me alerts if (and this hasn’t happened) there were to be a water leak. It features leak detection and auto shut off technology which means if there ever is a leak, it won’t go on forever if you’re away from the house.

The WiFi configuration and notification alerts sets this device apart from the competition. It is so convenience to adjust the water temperature from the comfort of you mobile device.

I just replaced my old 50 gallon GE water heater that was rusting with this..It fit good and I like that it has the LED indicator..Heated up in a half hour and water seems much hotter than the other, even tho it is set at the same temp..

Heating element leaked the second day we installed the heater. Called Rheem. Got a new element. I found the stock element was old and totally burned up when replacing it. Wrote an email to Rheem and receive no reply. One star for Rheem sending me a new element. Otherwise, bad QA control.

They work so good and is easy to install

Easy to install.

Installation was quick and easy, I used sharkbite connections since my old unit was plumbed with copper tubing and the wiring took a couple minutes to do. We haven't had any issues as of yet. The led lights are great for telling you when the elements are heating or not.

First water heater purchased and installed didn't work. It had a leak in the heating element. Water was coming out the end of the thermostat (not around the seal). Took it back and Home Depot replaced it. Second water heater was not difficult to install or put into operation. Very satisfied with performance after 3 weeks service.

Self-Install went without incident. I'm NOT a plumber. Quality for price appears to be very good. Paid extra $ for the slightly higher Element Ratings (5500 vs 4500), Longer Warranty (9yr vs 6yr) and little blue lights (not sure of value). If you think that the electronics for maintaining temperature and economy are more advanced because of the pretty BLUE LED lamps, then you are buying hype. This unit has Good solid mechanics and electronics based on known and established quality components. No instructions or directions in BOX so be forewarned. Download from links on site before purchasing. This unit had same footprint of previous TALL 50 gal Lochinvar and feels better constructed. Like the placement and type of spigot used on the lower tank flush valve much more than previous unit. (Larger aperture so less chance to block flow) Packing was also very good. When loading, note location of the Lower Drain valve and Electronics so as not to crush.

The Rheem Performance Plus 50 is an excellent product. We were concerned that when we had to replace our 80 gal tank with a 50 gal tank, we would run out of hot water too soon. However, the Performance Plus 50 kept up with the hot water use and never ran out, even with all the company we had over the last several weeks. The installation went very smoothly, fitting nicely in the small area of space, and I like the LED indicator lights informing us when either of the 5500 watt elements are on or off. I also feel more confident with the nine year product guarantee since many other manufacturers have a much less of a guarantee. Finally, I shopped around and found that this Rheem product was very much competitive price wise, saving us $$$. Thank you Home Depot.

This replaced my Bradford White 40 gallon with a 6 yr warranty but died after 13 years. I choose this Model for the 9 year warranty to get that same piece of mind since they didn't have a 12 yr in the nearby stores that fit my dimensions. It's been a month and so far so good. I like having the visual LED to show which element is activated. When you first connect everything, the top heating elements will light up first and about 40 min later it will switch to the bottom heating elements. Lining up and cutting new pipes to fit new dimensions is trickiest part and that's what you will have to be most prepared for. I had help from someone with experience in soldering and cutting copper pipes. Pros: The manufacture date was 1 month prior to purchase. Led heating element lights, 9 year warranty for couple hundred more than base model. Thin enough to fit into existing small laundry room space. Cons: Plastic grommet on the hot water side was not seated properly like the cold side which was flush to the top of the water heater. I wasn't going to go through the hassle of going back to the store. Small attention to details can be made by Quality department since this is not a cheap product.

Easy to install love that can track everything on my phone

Came to address dented in multiple places. Returned.

Great product and good price!

Not Home Depot’s fault but Rheem’s quality control is nonexistent. Unit was installed by plumber and was inoperable. Took 2 service calls and 2 parts delivery to make it operational. 3 weeks no hot water…

I orginally reviewd this water heater 5 stars after installing but here I am 3 months later with no hot water. The whole point of me replacing my old water heater was so we don't run out of hot water. I did contact Rheem and they are sending out a plumber to replace whatever part is broken, but still, no hot water for a few days. Very dissapointing! Makes you wonder how it's going to perform 3 years in when I'm already having issues 3 months in.

I read all the reviews… I picked my Rheem Plus up today, laid it flat being mindful of the electric panels. Brought it home and it looked flawless. Hookup for the most part was easy, I used flex connects, added a brass tee, brass nipple and an expansion tank. Everything went pretty good, nervous about cutting 18 year old cpvc. No leaks and heated up. Make sure you fill the tank with water before turning breaker on.