At A Glance: Reliance Water Heaters
About Reliance Water Heaters
Reliance started off as part of State Industries in 1981. When the company was purchased by AO Smith in 2001, Reliance continued as a full subsidiary. Today, Reliance produces some of the most environmentally friendly water heaters on the market, incorporating new technology as soon as it becomes available.
Gas and Propane
While the UEF tends to be lower on gas heaters, they’re actually better for the environment than their electric counterparts. NOx emissions, which have been a growing concern in gas and propane products, are a key factor in choosing a good heater.
While some modern water heaters still have unregulated NOx emissions, most are now designed to reduce the NOx content.
Features
Ranging from 30 gallons to an impressive 100 gallons, Reliance’s range of gas and propane heaters includes over 75 models designed to provide for households of 2-5 people. While the majority of models have either 6 or 9 year warranties, several boast an impressive 12-year warranty – a rarity among even the best water heaters out there.
Reliance has made their line a lot more impressive than it first seems. The majority of these models have LEED qualification, and many are ENERGY STAR compliant. Over 60 models also have self-cleaning capabilities to reduce the amount of flushing required during maintenance periods.
With many models being either Low NOx or Ultra-Low NOx rated, these are some of the best water heaters there for people who want to go green.
Best Reliance Gas Models
RANK | IMAGE | PRODUCT NAME | RATING | |
1 |  | Reliance 6-50-YRVIT | ||
2 |  | Reliance 6-50-GBFT | ||
3 |  | Reliance 9-50-NKRT |
Electric
Electric water heaters don’t have the emissions issues of gas heaters, but tend to leave a larger footprint (after all, the electricity has to be produced before it can be sent to your home). For this reason, you’ll find higher UEF ratings but also much higher requirements to achieve ENERGY STAR compliance.
This isn’t to say that electric heaters are undesirable, and a good electric heater can often prove quite reliable. Best of all, it’s possible to use electric heaters when you have an alternative home power supply, such as solar, to save even more money.
Features
As with their gas and propane heaters, Reliance has made their electric heaters some of the most environmentally-friendly and efficient on the market. The vast majority are LEED-certified, the tanks range from a mere 2.6 gallons up to 80. Six of the larger tanks are ENERGY STAR certified, and some models have a UEF well over 2.0.
As these water heaters can accommodate anything from single occupancy all the way up to large 5-member households, there’s almost definitely a model perfect for any household situation.
Best Reliance Electric Models
RANK | IMAGE | PRODUCT NAME | RATING | |
1 |  | Reliance 12-50-EARS | ||
2 |  | Reliance 6-20-SOMS | ||
3 |  | Reliance 6-6-SOMS |
Tankless
Tankless water heaters are the wave of the present (and foreseeable future). These heaters take up less space, waste less water, and give hot water on demand. Upgrading from a tank heater is often easy, making these an excellent choice for replacing an existing water heater as well as for new residences.
Features
Reliance tankless heaters are some of the best on the market, with 20 condensing models and 21 non-condensing. Most models have remote controls, and half of them are LEED certified and have ENERGY STAR ratings.
Several have LCD displays, making those models even easier to program. Another important consideration is that condensing models provide extra energy savings. With heat exchangers made of stainless steel or commercial grade copper and the possibility of tax credits or rebates, there’s really no reason to pass up a Reliance tankless heater.
Best Reliance Tankless Models
RANK | IMAGE | PRODUCT NAME | RATING | |
1 |  | Reliance TS-540-GIH | ||
2 |  | Reliance TS-340-GIH | ||
3 |  | Reliance TS-140-GIH |
Reliance Water Heater Parts
Every Reliance model has a limited warranty, ranging from 6 years to 15 years on some tankless components. These warranties don’t exclude the need for regular maintenance, and some parts will invariably need to be replaced over time.
Anode rods, filters, heat exchangers, burners, valves, thermostats, elements, and pilot assemblies can all burn out or break during the life of your water heater. These parts are often easy to replace and should be checked during your regular maintenance checks.
Where to Buy Reliance Water Heaters
Reliance water heaters can be purchased at Ace Hardware, True Value, Abt, Amazon, and various other local and online dealers.
Reliance Water Heater Contact Info
- Website: www.reliancewaterheaters.com
- Phone: 1-800-807-7014
