I would not expect any brand of the new WH's today to last 30 years or even 15 years, without at least replacing some part on it. Our 40-gallon nat. gas AO Smith water heater that is just now 4 years old, has worked very well for us and with no issues.

 

AO smith, rheem, something white (it's in the name), sold in box stores and also pro stores. One I use sell rheem. There is some difference between box stores and pro stores but not much to pay few hundred more for pro stores, I think. But pro store will take the old heater. Yours seem to have lasted far longer than usual stories in the forum. I plan to make mine last longer by replacing the anode rods every 3 years. I think my water comes from local lakes turned into reservoirs and just a little hard water.
The heaters come with warranties, 6-9-12 yrs. I think the time difference depends on how much anode. I bought 9 yr heater, replaced the anode at 7 and it was pretty much gone. This year is when I replace it again. If want to try, ask in the forum. More details than youtube.

 

I would only put a Bradford White in. Anything you can get from HD or Lowes is garbage. There are multiple threads on reddit about the AO Smith purchased from big box being less quality than plumbing supply house. I cant verify that obviously. I believe BradfordW waterheaters are only available from plumbing supply house. Many friends in NYC / LongIsland area that are very happy with AOSmith and consider them equal to BW..but I have never used.

Expect a fair amount of cost allocated to getting your situation up to code. My 15 year old water heater died and I had to update the vent from "slinky" to hard pvc as well as add an expansion tank.

 

I purchased a Bradford White water heater about 2 years ago.

Coworker had a plumber buddy that ordered the water heater from a plumbing supply house for me.

Just went to supply house, gave the plumbers name, paid cash, loaded water heater in vehicle, a few hours later, had hot water.

Supply house would not sell a gas water heater to the general public, had to be a licensed plumber.

 

I read an article where gas water heaters had been banned:

New Biden water heater ban will drive up energy prices for poor, seniors: expert

The Biden administration is banning certain natural gas water heaters as part of its climate change agenda, a move critics say will jack up costs for low-income and senior households.

www.foxbusiness.com

Not political, just fact.

 

Everyone knows this is bs. Totally made up by... gee, I wonder who?

Snopes dot com is very useful for finding the real story about news that sound flaky. The line 'critics say will jack up costs for low-income and senior households.' is a red flag. What about other households? Won't their costs go up too? Turns out the story is fake.

 

Everyone knows this is bs. Totally made up by... gee, I wonder who?

Snopes dot com is very useful for finding the real story about news that sound flaky. The line 'critics say will jack up costs for low-income and senior households.' is a red flag. What about other households? Won't their costs go up too? Turns out the story is fake.

Actually, Biden did it. He increased efficiency ratings for 2029. Per articles on the net.
11 House Dems vote with Republicans to overturn Biden's gas water heater ban
Feb 27th.

 

I have a big box AO Smith water heater and it is my second one. My son has dozens of them in rental units. They have all outlasted their warranties which is all you can expect. Anything more is a bonus. Manufacturers want as long a warranty as possible for a purchase incentive but not so long as to make them pay under such warranty. The one who can put on a warranty that expires just before it breaks wins. I don’t believe the theory that big box units are inferior. It is like most appliances, they might slightly change something to make the more expensive professionally installed unit appear to be worth more.