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Whirlpool Water Heaters

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Donna of Millington, TN February 8, 2010

My father and I own rental property and as luck would have it, we replaced 8 hot water heaters (gas)within about a year in 2007. We have since had trouble with all except 1 (knock on wood). They all start out the same way with the pilot going out and having to be relit until it will no longer light. I have called the warranty number each time. I ahve replaced all the parts many times but especially the thermostat (gas valve).

I have taken back to Lowe's 2 of the heaters and made the mistake of getting and exchange thinking the defect would be corrected. I regret this as I am having the same problem from a waer heater that I replaced 2/09. I will never buy Whirlpool again. I have replaced the parts myself wasting my time. I have had to remove the heaters and return them to the store. Again, my time. The inconvenience to the resident is beyond belief since you never know if you have hot water or not.

C of Essex, MD February 7, 2010

Purchased a new Whirlpool water heater from Lowe's in January 2008. It's now February 6, 2010 and the pilot will light but will not stay lit. I've read numerous complaints about this product and am disgusted how Whirlpool expects the customer to troubleshoot the problem themselves. This product should definitely be recalled. We are currently trying to fix the problem by cleaning the vent as this website suggests however we plan to get the free manifold kit also; as we will inevitably need it. Currently we have no hot water and we've just had the biggest snow storm of the season....Baltimore, MD.

Tom of s.l.c., UT February 7, 2010

As many people, I have a problem with my whirlpool 40 gal. gas water heater with the flame lock gas control.(FG----- model) My heater is six years old and needed to repace the thermocouple once. The second time (two years latter) I could not find the part locally (five to ten work days away with an on line order. That I don't recomend since it is an inherent problem). Thanks to this site I was able to get a conversion kit from lowes (free). You must talk to the plumming manager to get it. Very helpfull.(I is not on the shelf)I hope this helps someone so you don't have to go through the same loss of work and money to get this resolved.

John of Toledo, OH February 5, 2010

Bought the Whirlpool 40 gallon hot water tank from Lowes (first mistake) in 2005. Pilot light will not stay lit now so we got the replacement thermocouple (free from Lowes due to the continuing issues with this tank). Still no luck. Going to go and buy the gas valve(at our expense as these are not given out freely like the thermocouple)to see if that works. Wish me luck as from the posts I find I am doubting it will. Really spreading the news about these tanks. Facebook, twitter, friends, anyplace to let folks know that just because it is less expensive doesn't mean you should buy it!

John of Cincinnati, OH February 5, 2010

I purchased a water heater from Lowes in Feb 2nd 2004, on Feb 14,2009 I called your service department and talked to a Debbie, explained my problem with the thermostat on the heater,this was 2-14-2009, she sent me a new thermostat. Now it's 2-5-2010, I'm having the same problem again. I called your service department again, talk to someone, whom couldn't speak English, I did understand them to say that the replacement part only has a one year warranty, It has NOT been a year yet. Please contact me about this problem

E of L.B. , NY February 1, 2010

Returned for a refund. Bought a RHEEM. NO PROBLEMS! QUIET AS CAN BE. Had to bring back to Lowes after getting a [runaround] from the Indian [reps].

Terry of La Verne, CA January 30, 2010

Purchased 40 gal. Whirlpool water heater from lowes June 2008. October 2008 we began the replace this, replace that, replace it all routine that ran into November 2008. Just over a year, now Jan. 2010, again no hot water. Many phone calls to authorized plumber and Whirlpool customer svc. and more parts are being sent to us. Having to start the replace this, replace that all over again.

In cumulative days it's weeks without hot water, and lost work. Not to mention the inconvenience, schedules rearranged, and meetings not kept through no fault of our own.

Phil of Farragut, TN January 29, 2010

Boy I wish I had read about these problems with the Whirlpool Flame-Lock Water Heaters that are sold by Lowe's. I bought a 9 year unit approx 3-1/2 years ago. First unit started leaking in two weeks and they replaced it paying both parts and labor. Now the Thermocouple has failed and after dealing with the idiots in India that I could barely understand I was sent a replacement burner unit (but without the burner head).

I installed last night and turned on the pilot. It worked and then I turned the unit to run and a couple of hours came back and checked on it. The safety overflow valve was spewing hot water all over the floor. I turned the unit down and got that under control only to learn this morning that the pilot is out again and will not light. To say I am frustrated is an understatement. I don't know whether to go to Lowe's and get a replacement unit or just bite the bullet and get another complete water heater from someone else. Problem is that if there are only 4 manufactures of water heaters in the US how do I make sure I get a good unit instead of this garbage?

Sharon of Irmo, SC January 26, 2010

I purchased a whirlpool gas water heater from Lowe's in the summer of 2008. As of January 18,2010 until today, January 26, 2010, I do not have any hot water. My plumber checked it and found that I have a leak in the water heater. The pilot light would not come on. I would like a full refund for the water heater and labor in order to purchase another brand.

I have to pay the plumber for inspecting the water heater and for installation for a subsequent water heater. Also, it is a good chance that my water bill will increase due to the leakage. As for the physical damage, I have been without hot water for nine days.

Lester of San Angelo, TX January 22, 2010

I purchased a Whirlpool Water Heater. in 2003. After a few months, it quit working, the control mechanism was bad. They replaced it, but first install was mine, 2nd remove and re install was mine, then the thermal couplings started to fail, after 3, at my expense, they replaced the flame, theralcouple, igniter, pilot lite mechanism, (all labor was at my expense again).

Now the thermal control unit went out, they replaced the part, but I had to pay plumber almost 200.00 to install it. That was 2 weeks ago, now My thermalcoupling is out again. I purchased one at Lowes, with hopes of getting my refund from Whirlpool, but am ready to file law suite against them for faulty equipment, false advertising and LOWES for selling junk for real price.

I had to miss a total of 3 days work, so far. I have had to drive out to Lowes for replacements 5 times. Had to pay for assistence for labor. 2 Plumbers at separate times and the thermalcouple I purchased yesterday did not work. 3 days work--306.00 Plumbers --263.53 assistence --120.00 trips for parts-- 26.00 e Time without hot water and cold showers dishwashing & laundry,etc. (more than even they could pay) Comes to about 715.00 + time and trouble associated to poor quality of service and equipment.

Not to mention all the headaches, fights with family over cold water and irritation from this experiance. I will never buy another appliance at LOWES, and certainly never another Water heater from them and nothing from Whirlpool again.

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