Bradford White Reviews

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About Bradford White

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Bradford White produces water heaters for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Operating since 1881, its offerings include gas, electric and tankless models.

Pros
  • Good warranty coverage
  • Reliable hot water supply
Cons
  • Frequent repairs needed
  • Poor customer service interactions

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Bradford White Reviews

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    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Bradford White?
    • 4,675,583 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Installation & Setup

    Reviewed June 6, 2025

    I purchased a Bradford White water heater in 2018 and it had a 6 year warranty for a model RG240S6N, but had a major leak 6 1/2 years after installation. I would not recommend a Bradford White water heater.

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    Customer ServiceInstallation & Setup

    Reviewed June 4, 2025

    I had a Bradford White water heater installed in April 2018, and by mid-2025 — just over 7 years later — it began leaking and required full replacement. The unit came with a 6-year warranty, so it was out of warranty by just over a year. Still, this kind of failure in such a short time from a “professional-grade” product is very disappointing.

    Even more frustrating is the customer service response. I contacted Bradford White, explained the situation, and requested some kind of goodwill accommodation — such as a partial credit or discount — given that my previous Bradford White heater lasted over 20 years. They refused, offering only an extended warranty on a separate, newer unit I had installed last year. I currently own two Bradford White heaters, and expected a better response from a brand I’ve been loyal to for decades. The lack of accountability and unwillingness to stand behind a prematurely failed product makes me question whether I’ll continue with Bradford White in the future.

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      Customer ServiceInstallation & SetupStaff

      Reviewed May 13, 2025

      Purchased Bradford White May 2025. Gas leaking into hot water. Went to Lowe's to Buy hot water heater. They didn't have the size I needed, so Lowe's said. "They have this service. (Called lead) that could help me find the right size and BTU I wanted," so I gave them my name and number. DNR is LOWE'S LEAD COMPANY for hot water heaters. DNR called me. Said they got my name from Lowe's and could help me the size and BTU I was looking for.. I ordered Bradford White gas hot water heater thru Lowe's lead company, paid through LOWE'S ADVANTAGE CARD, Here's the problem with Bradford White; Smelled gas in shower, called NIPSCO gas company to check newly installed hot water heater.

      Install was okay, no leaks in pipes. Because I complained of smelling it through the hot water Gas Company checks cold water, no gas detected checked hot water, gas detector starting going off. NIPSCO TAGS HOT WATER TANK and shuts it down as UNSAFE, Defective, Needs Replaced. Lowe's Lead company calls Bradford White, they sent out a tech who tried to blame my water, he took samples but did not have a gas detector with him. Did not remove aerator, did not sanitize before sample and gas is not detected only bacteria which would have been in cold water too.. Not professional. (Same complaints of gas smell in water on YouTube as well.) Meanwhile the gas company has shut off the hot water tank, tagged the tank as leaking gas & a hazard needing replaced and removed. I am stuck in this triangle from Lowe's, their lead company and Bradford White. NO hot water 10 days now. Now stuck between these 3 companies.

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      Customer ServiceReliability

      Reviewed May 8, 2025

      Purchased a 100 gallon commercial hot water heater in Nov of 2023 and it was installed by a professional plumber in a home, that is divided into 4 living units. Now in May of 2025 the pilot light will not stay lit. Asked Bradford White how to troubleshoot the issue. The area is well vented, with good egress of flue gas. The thermal pile had a 444mV reading, which is good. The pilot when viewed was bright blue with a little yellow flicker at top of flame, very common. Each time the pilot goes out, it seems to be harder to relight. They only have a 12 month parts warranty, which for a hot water heater priced at this level seems ridiculous. Asked if customer service could help in any way and they fell flat on their face, basically telling me to pound sand. It does not seem like I'm alone as many of these reviews are about poor reliability and lack luster customer service.

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      Reviewed April 7, 2025

      Our Bradford White electric 50 gl. tank within a year the upper element went bad. This came with the house when we had it built in 2024. The lower element seemed fine, but if you're gonna drain your tank you might as well replace both elements. I've never seen an element do this before, I've seen a lot of different answers for this, but a lot of them don't apply to me. I don't have hard water or a water softener, the electric ground was fine, and the tank was always full so it didn't run with no water in it. I've never been a Bradford White fan, and now I know why.

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      Installation & SetupCoverageStaff

      Reviewed April 3, 2025

      I am a retired US ARMY officer who lives in Richmond VA. 2.5 years ago we had a 80g Bradford White electric water heater installed by Mundin Plumbing. The wire harness fried itself, and despite having a year old electrical box installed at the house... Bradford White and Mundin Plumbing said the warranty does not cover electrical surges...and this was my problem to solve and I could be given a "refund for parts" on the tank. No one from Bradford actually diagnosed the problem in person! The Mundin rep was only a plumber, not electrician! ONLY one picture was taken of the top element compartment, and this is how the final diagnosis was determined!! This is a standard 'kick the can' and put the problem back to the consumer problem again.

      DON'T USE BRADFORD WHITE PRODUCTS. DON'T USE MUNDIN PLUMBING. These 80g electric water heater tanks were no longer manufactured after the 2017 regulations, however the company won't acknowledge the fact that this wire harness issue has happened repeatedly in the past, or the fact that I have a new electrical box! I am a 100% permanently disabled combat veteran that requires daily physical therapy and heat treatments on my lower back from flying. I am utterly disappointed in Bradford White and the Mundin plumbing company that installed my tank. NO ONE wanted to assume any responsibility and only wanted to put all the responsibility on the home owner to simply just pay for another water tank. Absolutely disappointed in how the customer gets to fight his own warranty battle and despite an active warranty, be financially responsible. DON'T USE BRADFORD WHITE. DON'T USE MUNDIN PLUMBING.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed March 18, 2025

      This company is by far the worst company I’ve ever experienced with using their product and speaking with their customer service! Absolutely Terrible!!!! The Bradford White hot water tank could’ve caused a fire, had I not looked at the heating elements that’s next to the thermostat dial. The wiring that goes to the terminal or loose and showed signs of fire burns from the poor connections, and the wires were melted as well. I spoke to Customer Service (Krista) and when speaking to her it was like speaking to a dog that barks over you while trying to explain what the issue is with their product… I’ll NEVER purchase another product from Bradford White nor would I EVER use their product even if their product was given to me for free! You’ve been warned!!!! BEWARE!!!!

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      Reviewed March 11, 2025

      DO NOT purchase one of these water heaters. I purchased Model # RG240S6N, Serial # WK46844016 in April 2022. Last month I had to have a new valve put on because the pilot would not stay lit. I paid 1/3 of the total value of this tank. I reached out to Bradford White for suggestion, and they had no real answers, other than questioning if the plumber really needed to change out the valve. I sent them a copy of the invoice, and they really didn't stand behind this tank.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed March 1, 2025

      I spoke with Candice at the warranty department because our water heater that is only two years old, keeps turning itself off. Candice was very rude. I guess the warranty is not really a warranty, as you have to pay for a plumber to come out and do the repairs anyway. I will never buy another Bradford White product again. I do not respect companies that do not respect their customers.

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      Customer ServiceInstallation & SetupStaff

      Reviewed Feb. 1, 2025

      I had a Bradford White for 4 yrs and 4 months. Something went wrong with it. I called the warranty center, I was told to call salesman for Colorado. He sent out service tech Ed - (that was a nightmare. I believe Ed was in cahoots with a furnace guy named John, who tried to high pressure me into buying a furnace. John pulled out my furnace blower - so I had no heat in 10 degrees. He called Excel - tried to get my gas red tagged and shut off - high pressure to buy his furnace. He also called the fire dept.) I shut wh off more than once but horrible fumes continued to come out of the water heater for several days (3+ days) after being shut off. Ed did nothing.

      I bought a AOSmith - the chamber is supposed to be sealed but it is not sealed so it lets odors into the house. Returned AOSmith, had another bradford white installed. When burner is on it seemed fine. But when burner is not on the fumes come into the house -which is what my 1st bw did. It is also doing the same thing my 1st BW did after being shut off, it emits, burned gas, unburned gas and I think carbon monoxide for days. I had flue checked, furnace checked, gas lines checked- it's the water heater. I'm told water heater does not have enough air vents at bottom - that I need to install outside air. Also told low insulation in attic may be causing condensation in flue which could keep fumes from going out. Having r30 blown in 2/4/25. At least the AOsmith shut off and did not emit fumes after being shut off.

      Something is wrong with a water heater that emits fumes after being shut off. Bradford white said it should not do that. But service tech Ed did not do anything about it on the 1st one. Ed either protects BW or does not know water heaters after his 40 yrs. 2nd bradford white was purchased/installed 1/30/2025. (I don't have technology to upload receipt) I shut if off after a few hours because of fumes in the house.

      Today is 2/1/2025 and it's still emitting poisonous fumes after being turned off 1/30/25. I'm trying to protect 3 dogs with windows open constantly in winter weather. At night I put a washcloth over top of wh opening. In the morning I remove washcloth and as I write this (2/1/25) the house is full of gas and burned gas. The gas to wh was turned off when water heater turned off. It gets into duct work - every room has fumes. Can't get it out because it keeps coming out of water heater. Does anyone in the United States make a product that actually works the way it should? Both bradford whites model #BW RG240T6N-475. Both Bradford whites were installed by professional plumbers, so was the AOsmith. This water heater is dangerous.

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      Bradford White author review by ConsumerAffairs Research Team

      Bradford White manufactures a wide range of residential, commercial and volume water heaters. They provide energy efficient units to customers with varying needs, including wholesalers, contractors, home builders and homeowners.

      • Types: Bradford White supplies various gas, electric, hybrid heat pump, solar and tankless water heaters for commercial and residential use. Units contain various vent types, including atmospheric, power, direct power and direct vents.  Consumers looking for NAECA approved water heaters can use Bradford White’s cross-reference guide to search for a unit that meets those standards.

      • Energy efficiency ratings: Bradford White provides a rating chart online to show consumers how efficient each model is. Among other figures, the chart shows the estimated yearly cost of each model and its energy factor number provided by the Department of Energy.

      • Innovations: Bradford White has developed multiple energy saving innovations for its water heaters including intelligent control, low emissions and smart diagnostics. Consumers can check out details and features of each innovation online.

      • Accessories: Bradford White has developed two residential water heater accessories: The Heater Hauler and the residential gas water heater stand. The Heater Hauler is a vinyl-laminated nylon bag designed to keep the water heater from leaking on unwanted surfaces during removal. The residential gas water heater stand is designed for garages or anywhere else a gas water heater needs to be elevated.

      • Warranties: Consumers can go online and register their water heater to get warranty details, read documents and check on their warranty’s duration. Also included is a list of items not covered under warranty.

      The ConsumerAffairs Research Team believes everyone deserves to make smart decisions. We aim to provide readers with the most up-to-date information available about today's consumer products and services.

      Bradford White Company Information

      Company Name:
      Bradford White
      Website:
      www.bradfordwhite.com