A lot of people are going to tell you that Bradford White heaters are the best but after my research I've come to the conclusion, just as Consumer Research and Consumer Digest did, that water heaters are all VERY similar and pretty much the same, including Bradford White water heaters. I believe there are only two major companies that make the thermostats and most residential heaters are all glass lined and use an Anode rod(s). The licensed plumbers aren't going to like this but many are pretty biased since, in general, they are the only ones that Brandford Whites are sold to which means that if you want one you have to buy it and have it installed from them. Part of the reasoning Bradford White does that is for name recognitions, brand differentiation and perceived quality and realibility. It has a lot to do with marketing. There are three major manufacturers of water heaters, AO Smith, Rheem and Bradford White. American Water Heater, State, Reliance, Apollo, Maytag and GSW are all divisions of A.O. Smith and there are over 100 brands that sell these heaters and put their own name on them. Whirlpool, GE and Kenmore are some of the brands that do it. Any and all brands of water heaters have problems (the same problems) and they can occur at any time. Some heaters last a very long time others do not and it's not because of the name on it. My "cheap box store" American Water Heater lasted 15.5 years without a single heater problem. I never cleaned it or flushed it out and I never replaced the Anode rod.