Customer Reviews for Rheem Performance Plus 40 Gal. Tall 9 Year 40,000 BTU Natural Gas Tank Water Heater

On 4/2/15 purchased said product over phone at 8 a.m. I picked it up from store and brought it home that same morning and awaited installation (by Home Depot install co.) scheduled for 4/4. Upon installation water heater defective, gas chamber not sealed so when pilot light lit by installer, a large flame burst outside water heater. I kept defective product (not turned on) installed at my home until replaced by another installer on 4/7 (who got water heater from a different Home Depot in same city). This one worked fine. Per law, scheduled city inspection for 4/30 (permit needed for installation) in which installer set up a meter. City inspector found problem with gas displacement when checking meter and demanded it be turned off until gas control valve (Honeywell made) replaced. I called Rheem and part was out of stock - could be 2 days or 2 weeks to replace. Gave me option to reimburse me for de-installation/re-installation of entirely new water heater . Displeased with manufacturing problems (unsealed gas chamber on water heater #1 and not properly functioning gas control valve on water heater #2). A total of 10 days so far without hot water.

First of all, it is well insulated. When it is heating water, I can place my hand anywhere on the water heater (not on the vent) and it feels cool to the touch! Love the extra thick pipe insulation provided with water heater. (See picture showing the top of the WH) Second, the value. Other stores didn't come close to the pricing of The Home Depot. They were selling the exact same water heater for $100 more. Third, the performance. The recovery time of this unit provides plenty of hot water for a family of five, including three teenagers, top-loading washing machine, dishwasher, etc. Also added a drain pan (see photo of lower portion of water heater)

I am replacing a Rheem that lasted 23 years, so buying a second Rheem was a no-brainer. This new one is more efficient, heats the water faster, maintains temperature better, and looks great with the grey finish. Installation was a snap using SharkBite connectors and a flex gas line.

I was replacing a similar 40 gal 40,000 BTU 9 year warranty Rheem water heater and it went just as expected. The height of the old one was a little shorter, but I decided to use PEX tubing to connect the supply and output sides of the water lines and so glad I did. Made the job a million times easier. The old galvanized piping was at least 30% clogged after just 11 years of use. Brass fittings meant no dielectric corrosion problems and I added a shut off valve on both sides of the water heater so I don't have to drain all the hot water pipes again when the next water heater has to be installed...many years from now. The installation was straight forward. I reused the gas pipe from the old water heater and 3 connections later everything was running. I figured 3 hours for installation and that is how long it took. Getting some of the old pipe loose was the toughest part of the project. The piezo ignition made lighting it a breeze. The LED indicator makes knowing it is lit a cinch and I had hot water 1 hour later.

Faulty pilot. Works for about a month then won't light. On my third tank in 2 months because pilot won't light! So frustrating!!!!

Easy installation , great product

The services were absolutely excellent, unfortunately, the water heater was damaged and I had to return it

Fast delivery. Setup and start easily. So far so good. I like the new control system.

So far so good. Recovers well, and seems to have good insulation, tank is cool to touch. Looking forward to first gas bill.

It was great while it lasted. Which was less than one month past the 2 year in home warranty, so had to pay to have it reinstalled! The people at Rheem were very easy to deal with, as were the people at Home Depot in the exchange. Lucky that the tank warranty was 8 years. What a mess we had to clean up though. I think if your products, based on the reviews are so crappy maybe offer people 3 years in home to make up for it, or fix your lacking quality control program!

This was installed in a rental. Tenants report it is functioning well and they are happy with it. Downsized from a fifty gallon after plumbers personal recommendation of using same product in his house. Wasn’t happy to pay for delivery.

I've only had the unit installed for about a month, but so far so good. Only thing I'll add is I set the temperature at the medium setting. The water was extremely hot on this setting so I turned it down so nobody got injured with scolding hot water. By the way I had an independent plumber install the unit. It was way cheaper than using the Home Depot installation service. I also recommend getting the Home Depot extended coverage plan. It's a fairly reasonable price considering it covers both the product and labor.

Fast delivery and no issues installing. So far so good!

Seems to be a quality water heater. The unit was easy to install. Producing plenty of hot water and seems to recover well when additional hot water is required.

I ordered a hot water heater a few years ago and was connected with DRF, the Home Depot partner that sells and installs the units. They offer an extended warranty as part of their "Safety & Assurance" package that goes through an outfit called Asurion. I've recently had problems with my hot water heater. Despite still being under warranty and countless calls, DRF, Asurion & Home Depot have failed to provide service for the unit. In other words, they do not honor what they sell. Go elsewhere!

I had the same model heater before, it made it 7 years The best part of this experience was the excellent customer service I got from Home Depot in Burlington Washington. They stayed late, made sure I had everything I needed and helped load it in my truck!