Probably need a new Hot Water Heater looking for recommendations please

[AZJeep]

My 2012 Bradford White pilot light went out and won't relight.
It's a BW M45036FBN 40 gallon gas. I'm getting 7 led blinks which is 'Gas Valve electronic fault detected', I've tried every easy 'fix' on youtube, nothing. I'm getting ready to disassemble and check the thermocouple (maybe after I get some sleep, been up all night). If it's the gas valve I'm not sure it's worth fixing being 12 years old. I do keep seeing here and there people's tanks lasting much longer than the avg so I don't know.

If replacement is in my future and I think it is, I was going to go with Bradford White however I've been seeing a lot of bad reviews for them, and for all brands to be honest. I thought BW was a better tank.

If I get a new water heater it would be from a supply house, Ferguson's.

40 gallon choices are:

Bradford White
FVIR Defender Safety System® 40 gal. Tall 34 MBH Low NOx Atmospheric Vent Natural Gas Water Heater
Part #BRG140T6N394 Item #7012048 Manufacturer Part #RG140T6N-394
$753.30

Bradford White
FVIR Defender Safety System® 40 gal. Tall 40 MBH Low NOx Atmospheric Vent Natural Gas Water Heater
Part #BRG240T6N394 Item #5071316 Manufacturer Part #RG240T6N-394
$713,50

Not sure of difference on 2 above? One is RG140****** the other RG240******

Bradford White
FVIR Defender Safety System® 40 gal. Tall 34 MBH Low NOx Atmospheric Vent Natural Gas Water Heater
Part #BRG140T6N394475 Item #7684932 Manufacturer Part #RG140T6N-394-475
$669.32

A.O. Smith
ProLine® 40 gal. Tall 40 MBH Low NOx Atmospheric Vent Natural Gas Water Heater
Part #AGCR4000L010S45 Item #5076678 Manufacturer Part #100361531
$772.85

We had a AO Smith when the house was new, it was I'm sure a cheap contractor model, it ruptured, because of that, I've viewed that brand as lesser, I know that is probably an unfair assesment.

Instinctivly I'm leaning towards the more expensive BW, but I don't know. It's hard to find reviews unless it is a bad review.

Which is my better choice?

Should I plan on replacing inlet outlet lines, the flex line from the gas valve etc? Is duct work good to go unless it's too short or too long? TBH everything appears to be good, just dusty from AZ garage.

Sorry for the long post and Thank You to anyone that takes the time to read/answer.

Edit 9/2/24 I was mistaken on the size of the M45036FBN, it is a 50 gallon, 40,000 btu tank. So the prices are off above if I go with a 50 gallon. I've been thinking about that, there are only 2 of us in the house, we've never ran out of hot water, I think we could actually get by with a 40 gallon.

 

[John Gayewski]

I don't mind ao Smith when I buy them from a plumbing supplier. Brand doesn't matter all that much is more about service and parts which of you have a ferguson locally they should be able to help you pretty well.

I would switch to flex hoses if I were you. The vent connector should be fine. If you have a tall version get a tall version to replace it, if you have a short version get a short version to replace it.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[GReynolds929]

The RG240 is 40,000 btu/hr the RG140 is 34,000 btu/hr. Higher btu is quicker recovery.

 

[AZJeep]

I don't mind ao Smith when I buy them from a plumbing supplier. Brand doesn't matter all that much is more about service and parts which of you have a ferguson locally they should be able to help you pretty well.

I would switch to flex hoses if I were you. The vent connector should be fine. If you have a tall version get a tall version to replace it, if you have a short version get a short version to replace it.

Everything was switched to flex line when the BW was put in. The water lines look fine, the gas looks fine but I'd probably change it out, it might be an issue finding contractor grade, Ferguson's website says they are out. I'll find out when I go in.

 

[AZJeep]

The RG240 is 40,000 btu/hr the RG140 is 34,000 btu/hr. Higher btu is quicker recovery.

I see. According to the sticker, my current tank is 40,000 btu/hr so that's what I'll get.

edit: Oddly enough the RG240 is less money than the RG140 by $40.