Reliance Water Heaters Reviews
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Bought a new Model # 6-40-NOCT 400 water heater from Ace Hardware. Had plumber install and unit failed. Ace hardware who supplied the unit had no installers and would not exchange the tank due to Reliance warranty. There were no other licensed plumbers available for up to 2 to 3 weeks and Reliance had no warranty service personnel available in my area to do repairs.
Reliance finally sent a gas valve which I installed, water heater still did not work and then they sent a thermopile for me to install. I, the property manager, had to install the parts myself. A single mother with two kids had no hot water for three weeks. I had to refund her $100 off the monthly rent to compensate for Reliance inability to get a brand new water heater working in a timely manner. Lots of frustration on my end. And, Reliance would not compensate me for my time. Said I should have waited two or three weeks for a licensed plumber.... Next time will go with a Rheem water heater.
Bought my house 8 years ago. During the initial inspection, the inspector made it known several times that furnace, AC compressor unit and the 40 gallon gas water heater were all not going to make it much longer and consider saving some money and prioritize replacing between the three. Almost 9 years later and I've had minor repairs with my furnace thermocoupler and the electrical capacitor on my AC unit. My water heater has (knock on wood) never given me the slightest indication it's close to dying and maintains a constant volume of hot water without noticing its age. I'm sure it could be more efficient, but this Reliance 808, 40 gallon 35,500BTU water tank is absolutely the goat.
Nothing disrupts its sole purpose in life than effortlessly supplying hot water all throughout my home and unconditionally while I'm in the shower for 30 minutes nursing the most painful self inflicted hangover contemplating all my poor decisions EXCEPT for not listening to that inspector telling me to replace this gold standard Reliance water heater. Sat there looking at it for 15 minutes waiting for some sort of noise or sign of old age... but has never come. Had to figure out how old this reliance 808 unit is and eventually had to just Google, "how olds my reliance water heater". There's a code within their units serial numbers and eventually was able to determine my Boss Status, BDE, fire yielding, Cadillac Coupe Deville of all new and old gas water heaters, The Reliance 808, 40 gallon 35,500BTU, 8 year warranty, First of His Name and Protector of the Realm...is about to turn 26 this year and has never looked or sounded better.
Pry would test as hot as Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire.... COMBINED for PED's, if that was an actual thing. Never more, never less, Reliance Water Heater Co is apparently one of the gold standards in the industry and is most likely why AO Smith Water Heater manufacturer, decided to acquire them as a subsidiary, but let them keep flexin' and perplexin' on these other cats in the hot water game. Go get you a real one with Reliance, and quit playing in the streets with all these other ** and hoodrats.
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My water heater just went out on me. The model was a Sta-Kleen 502. The warranty was 5 years. The mfg date on the data sticker was 1991. This bad boy had been in service for 31 years and had not missed a beat. The mode of failure was minor leaking at the bottom. I notice a small amount of water in the drip pan and shut it down. I wish I could buy another one just like it. Too bad it is not made anymore.
I bought a hot water heater in 2015. It started leaking and was bowed at top in 2019. Got a replacement on 3/26/19. The heater started leaking again. Called Meeks (where I bought it) and they informed me they quit Reliance because of returns and that in that particular style the mold around the elements are bad.
Called Reliance and told them what Meeks told me and I just wanted a refund on my money and they informed me my warranty run out in 10/21. That the warranty doesn't start over when you get a replacement. I have pictures and everything documented. I had to go buy another brand and they won't make good on their product. I will never buy another product from them and will go to every measure to ensure that consumers know to stay away from this product. My first hot water heater that I replaced the Reliance with lasted me 28 years! It is ridiculous that they won't even last through their warranty!
Jan 2017 Bought new & professionally installed. Jan 2020 had to replace gas control valve with MY labor expense! Jan 2022 had to replace entire unit due to burner failure & internal/external tank corrosion. After 1 1/2hrs on hold, hung up. Called back & optioned to wait for return call… 10 days later & still no call!! Company name should be changed to UNRELIABLE WATER HEATERS & Customer Service should be renamed Customer Avoidance!
I bought a Reliance 40gal NORT970 heater in 1996. It was still working as of yesterday. But it developed a leak recently, and had to be removed. We sell Reliance where I work, and we don't get many complaints or returns. I plan to buy another Reliance heater.
I purchased a model 9-40-ekrt water heater in 11/2015. It has a 9 yr. warranty, after 5 yrs. it began to leak. Reliance replaced it with a model 6-40-eort, 6 yr. warranty. After installation on 3/2020, heater kept blowing circuit. Called support they told me it needed higher voltage circuit breaker. Replaced breaker, still not heating water properly. Called support again, was told there was no warranty on this heater because it was a replacement. They would call a service tech. at my expense.
Our Reliance water heater was installed in 2014 spring or summer (factory date October 2013). It is leaking. Still shining and looks like brand new, just out of the factory. Need replacement. By reading all the reviews on this site, I have come up with the conclusion that, it does not matter which brand, the industry is gearing toward DISPOSABLE - water heaters every 6 years and replacing them with the ones does not last long (like in old times). The more recent installation, the more likely it will need replacement. Check all the reviews on this site. Seems like everyone comment who had the installed 10-25 years ago, they lasted much longer. Those times are gone.
My new water will be installed this Friday and I talked to company who installs and I said - it does not matter which brand because I do not expect is last more than 6 years. It has become with all the technological advancements (should last longer), exactly the opposite. They make that they last fewer years to get more money out of consumers.
After 31 years of use, I just replaced my Reliance 40 gal Model 501 gas water heater. It was still working fine but I noticed a small amount of water under the heater and I felt that a new heater would provide hotter water. The original heater had a 3 year warranty and sold for $178! Reliance made an incredible product... I hope the new one that replaced it is half as good.
I got this to replace my other hot water heater I loved. After my Reliance Model 140 Indoor was a month old it started to acted up. Plenty of air flow. Well since it was still acting up the guy was going to vent it outside today. Never had a code to venting. It would just say code 941 which is exhaust is higher than 149. So this past Saturday it went out error code 721 gas solenoid drive circuit failure check 111 and 121. OK I did let's see 111 Three Times Ignition failure
• Check for connection/breakage of wires (Part #412, 707, 708, 709 710), burn marks on the computer board (Part #701), and/or soot on the flame rod (Part #108).
• Check if there is a buzzing spark ignition sound coming from the burner (Part #101) when water heater prepares for combustion.
• Listen for the double “clunk” sound coming from gas valve assembly (Part #102) when the water heater goes into combustion.
• Check if there is leaking from heat exchanger (Part #401).
• Check that the gas is turned on.
• Check gas supply. 121 Three Times Loss of flame • Check if the Hi-limit switch (Part #411) is properly functioning.
• Check for connection/breakage of wires (Part #412, 707, 708, 710), burn marks on the computer board (Part #701), and/or soot on the flame rod (Part #108).
• Check if there is leaking from heat exchanger (Part #401).
• Check gas supply
The guy that came out today check it and said the board went out to do a warranty on it. So I call them the lady from start to finish said air flow and to have my gas line checked. Told her it was told her when. She goes air flow all she would say. I told her again the does do not say anything about the air flow it about the Ignition it not lighting. She goes yes because not airflow. then she goes, "I will have my supervisor call you," and hung up. I am out $1000 for a hot water heater that the company will not do a warranty on when the guy told me to do a warranty because the board went out.
Reliance author review by ConsumerAffairs Research Team
Operating as a sub-brand of A. O. Smith, Reliance offers a wide variety of water heater sizes and capacities. Consumers can find high- efficiency, gas, electric, tankless and commercial water heaters.
Types: Reliance offers high-efficiency gas and propane, electric, tankless, commercial and pump tank water heaters. Each type includes varying capacities, types and technology. Consumers can go online and apply filters based on their needs to help narrow down their choices.
Electric heat-pump water heaters: Reliance boasts an energy efficient, electric heat pump water heater. It operates by pulling in heat from the surrounding environment to heat water. Per Reliance, consumers can make their money back in three years based on how much they save in energy.
Self-cleaning: Reliance offers two types of self-cleaning water heaters. Self-cleaning helps prevent sediment buildup over time which can cause leaks and take up space. This option is more expensive but can save you money in the long run.
Commercial water heaters: For consumers looking for a commercial water heater, Reliance offers four types: Light-duty gas, dairy barn electric, medium-duty gas and medium duty gas-low NOx. LowNOx is only available in Texas and meets the low NOx emissions requirements.
Availability: Consumers can go online for a full list of stores that carry Reliance water heaters and locate the closest one.
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.
Reliance Water Heaters Company Information
- Company Name:
- Reliance
- Website:
- www.reliancewaterheaters.com
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