AO Smith vs Bradford White Water Heater – Which Is Best?

What happens when you think of taking a cold shower on a chilly winter morning? Haven’t you felt the shiver in your spine even while you are reading this? We understand how hard it is to live through those winter days when even a splash of cold water makes you shiver. But we all know the solution here, don’t we? Thanks to modern technology, we are blessed with water heaters. The days are gone when our parents used to boil water manually for us. Water heaters are one of the most popular home appliances, used in almost every household. In the market, there are a variety of water heaters coming at various price segments. With each passing day, with the advancement of technology, these water heaters are becoming more efficient and user friendly. You can always find one under your budget in the market. 

The two most popular and efficient water heater brands in the market are AO Smith and Bradford White Water Heaters. If you are here to buy a new water heater for the first time, or because your old water heater is too old to run anymore, you might have kept water heaters from these two excellent brands on your list. Both the water heaters have so many things in common, and most importantly, they offer you stunning service. However, it is always better to see the differences. Hence, we have come up with this comparison between Bradford White and AO Smith to help you in making your decision more flawlessly. Once you go through the whole article, we are sure that many doubts will get eliminated from your mind. When you are buying a water heater, it is always beneficial to consider some specific features that any high-quality water heater should have. Following that, we have also added below a list of such points to consider. We request you to go through the whole, and you would find the best in the end.

Things To Consider Before You Buy A Water Heater

Water heaters are one of the most popular home appliances. Over time, it has become even more popular than ever. You would find plenty of options available in the market in various price ranges. Finding the best among those is a job better said than done. But, just considering these following features, you would be able to find the best water heater out of the oceanic choices. While you are buying a water heater, you are investing thousands behind your comfort. Hence, these features are so important that these should be present in your chosen water heater too. It ensures the longevity and safety of your investment. 

1. Types Of Water Heaters

There are mainly two types of water heaters available in the market- tank water heater and tankless water heater. Tank water heaters come in two variants- gas or electric. In this case, by insulating the tank, you keep the warm inside. With the help of a thermostat, you can control the temperature inside. 

Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, are more convenient and user friendly. These save a lot of energy and serve you with warm water whenever you need it. These water heaters are cheap and smaller in size. Hence, you can install it anywhere in your home. Tankless water heaters are also much lower-priced compared to the tank water heaters.

2. Energy Efficiency

Who would want to see a huge electricity bill at the end of the month? If you don’t wish the same, it is better to check how energy efficient your water heater is. Water heaters run on electricity. During winter, you would have to use it more often. Hence, keeping the usage frequency in mind, it is always better to buy an energy-efficient water heater. To understand the energy efficiency of your water heater, you can refer to the energy star ratings on it. The higher rating you get, the less energy it consumes. Thus, do not forget to check this before you buy a water heater for your home. 

 

3. Flow Rate

Flow rate is another most vital point that you should always check before buying a water heater. The flow rate indicates the water flow performance from your water heater.  It is calculated in gallons per minute. Before you buy a water heater, check the flow rate that it offers. A higher flow rate indicates that your water heater can serve you hot water faster. But, if the flow rate is too high, it can produce humming as well. Contradictorily, the low flow rate would eventually cause the water to supply at less speed. So, go for a balanced flow rate for your water heater. 

4. Durability & Design

Installing a water heater in your home is an investment for comfort. Water heaters are one of the most commonly used home appliances in India. Hence, before you buy a water heater, check the build quality of the device carefully. Sturdy build quality would ensure the longevity of your device. It would ensure smooth performance without making you worry about any damage. Also, check the details of the materials used inside. The inner elements should be made of high-quality materials which ensure better life of your appliance. 

Apart from the build quality, another very vital point that you should be concerned about is the design of the device. The design should be aesthetically appealing and go with the interior of the place where you install it. Modern water heaters are mostly designed in a way following the contemporary home interior designs. So, go for a water heater that speaks to you aesthetically too. It would highlight the decor of your bathroom also. 

5. Size Of Your Water Heater

The picking of the right water heater size is very important. Tankless water heaters come in many sizes, depending on the storage capacity that it offers. Before buying a water heater, choose the place where you are going to install it. It would give you a rough idea about the maximum size of the water heater which you can opt. Apart from this, if you have enough space available in your home, you can decide the capacity of your water heater that you want. It would also help you get an idea of the size that you have to buy. But, whatever you do, choose the right size carefully before purchasing a water heater. 

6. Price

Having a budget is very important when you are planning to buy an electrical home appliance. Water heaters are available in various price ranges in the market. The price of a water heater varies on several features that it offers. Hence, having a spending limit would help you to understand the features that you get under your budget. It also brings a better understanding of your device. Thus, before you buy a water heater, chalk out your budget limit first and then go for it. By doing that, you would be able to get the best out of your budget one. 

AO Smith vs. Bradford White – Comparison

AO Smith Water Heaters

AO Smith is a strong competitor to Bradford White. While comparing AO Smith with Bradford White, we have chosen certain aspects to compare on. Below we have discussed some common grounds that both the brands share. First, we will be talking about AO Smith, an American manufacturer of both residential and commercial water heaters and boilers. AO Smith is one of the most reputed manufacturers of water heaters in the Industry of electrical home appliances. We have seen many high-end products from the brand. With excellent features and high build quality, the brand has captured the market like anything. If you are to buy a water heater, you must have seen plenty of options from AO Smith. It was founded in 1904 in the United States. 

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1. The longevity of AO Smith Water Heaters

The longevity of a water heater can be understood by the warranty period that the brand offers. The more warranty period you get, the more durable device is provided. Most of the budget water heaters come with 3-4 years of the warranty period. AO Smith leads in the run of longevity here. Most of the products from the brand come with 12 years of warranty on the usual parts and six years of warranty on the major components. Moreover, the brand responses very fast if you face any issue with their products. AO Smith also has a fine build-quality to offer too. The water heaters are made with solid material and inner tanks. It ensures 12 years of smooth running with hardly any issues. 

2. Energy Efficiency Of AO Smith Water Heaters

Energy efficiency is another vital point for any water heaters. Water heaters use a fair amount of electricity from your house to boil your water. Hence, you should be careful while picking one. AO Smith water heaters come with specifications and features different than any other brands. These water heaters are an ideal choice for your daily life. However, the water heaters from AO Smith do not come with an energy star rating. Hence, there is no confirmation of how efficient these are to save your electricity bills. But, if you compare this to other water heaters in the market, there is no doubt that AO Smith water heaters despite having no energy star rating consume less energy than those. 

3. Flow Rate Of AO Smith Water Heaters

The Flow Rate of a water heater indicates the water supply through the device based on gallons per minute. The flow rate plays a very vital role in your water heater. The higher the flow rate is, the faster you would get warm water. AO Smith water heaters come with a higher flow rate which is truly commendable. AO water heaters are designed to flow water up to 10 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) to inflow hot temperature water faster. So, you can enjoy your shower more efficiently. These water heaters can also give you better flow rate by regulating their performance. The best part is that, due to the high flow rate, AO Smith water heaters do not take much time to give you hot water. 

4. Performance Of AO Smith Water Heater

Since AO Smith water heaters have a great flow rate along with sturdy design and build quality, we can surely expect high performance from the water heaters. While coming to the noiseless performance, AO Smith water heaters make some little noise. It is very little that you may ignore it even at most of the times. The AO Smith water heaters sometimes create some electric noises. The noise is wholly ignorable. The appreciable part is that these water heaters give you hot water at a faster speed, yet makes a low sound while doing so. Hence, you can take your shower in peace with these water heaters installed at your place. 

Bradford White Water Heaters

In the industry of water heaters, Bradford White is another famous player. While searching for the water heaters for your home, you must have crossed at least 2-4 Bradford White models. Bradford is a very tough competition to AO Smith and other brands like Rheem. Bradford White Corporation is an employee-owned American manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters headquartered in Ambler, Pennsylvania. You can see plenty of water heater options from the brand, including natural gas, electric water heaters, etc. Below we have discussed the same points that we have done before for the AO Smith water heaters. It would help us to get a clear idea of what the brand has to offer. 

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1. Longevity Of Bradford White Water Heaters

As said earlier that longevity or durability plays a key role while buying a water heater. It ensures batter safety of your investment. One of the best ways to check the longevity is to see the warranty period offered. The warranty period says how confident the brand is upon their products. Bradford White offers a 6-year warranty on their water heaters. The water heaters are built of high-quality equipment that helps it to run for more than six years without having any issues at all. The company service is also very commendable as they assist at the earliest whenever you face any problem. 

2. Energy Efficiency of Bradford White Water Heaters

Water heaters consume a lot of power to warm your water. Hence, choosing the right water heater is very important if you want to save your electricity bills. Energy-efficient water heaters thus help you by consuming less electricity and providing the same result. Bradford White water heaters come with energy star ratings which speak how efficient these water heaters are while saving your electricity. The energy stars on these water heaters make sure that you save up to 20%-30% energy by consuming less home current. So you can save more money and energy while still enjoying your showers and other stuff with the water heater on at your place. 

3. Flow Rate Of Bradford White Water Heaters

Previously we have already said what flow rate indicates. So, without repeating that anymore, let’s go into the topic directly. Bradford White water heaters feature comparatively low flow rate. So, the hot water supply takes time with these water heaters. These water heaters have a flow rate of not more than 4.6 GPM. These water heaters, although, claim to have an efficient performance of inflowing water. So, you can enjoy hot temperatures running swiftly. But, comparing its flow rate to other products in the market, we can not say it to be excellent. However, it is not bad either. With this much flow rate, you can expect a fair experience overall. 

4. Performance Of Bradford White Water Heaters

While talking about the performance of the Bradford White Water Heaters, we must agree that Bradford White water heaters offer you superior performance. Most importantly, the heaters do not make any noise. The water heaters come with great features and likable options. They ensure that there is no irritating noise or snagging of hot water while being operated. Hence, you can have the best peaceful experience while taking a shower. The water heaters control the temperature in such a way that you get the best comfort and come fresh out of your bathroom.

Final Verdict

Both Bradford White and AO Smith are two well known and efficient manufacturers of water heaters. One may easily get confused while choosing water heaters from one of these brands. So, the comparison is meant to help you in making a choice. Both the water heaters offer you excellent durability options. However, AO Smith is a clean win in case of longevity options as the brand offers you 12 years of warranty on its normal parts too. Bradford White leads when it comes to energy efficiency as these water heaters come with energy star rating. AO Smith again dominates in flow rate by offering high flow rates as compared to Bradford White. Bradford White offers you better noiseless performance as compared to little noisy AO Smith models. So, the overall points of both brands are the same. So, it is quite impossible to choose the best among these. It depends on the customers’ preference and needs. After going through the comparison, we recommend you to go for the brand that you feel is right. This is one way of choosing the best brand for yourself. 

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. WaterFilterly is user-supported. We might receive a commission on any purchase you make through clicking links on this page.