Bradford White Reviews

Bradford White may make a good how water heater but they do not stand behind the functioning of their systems. After installation, our recirculating system would not work because they have hidden "heat trap nipples" inside which cannot be removed. Then after multiple edits to our system by our licensed plumber, it still did not recirculate.

Water heater fan can be heard starting and running above in kitchen and in front room next to kitchen. Had a AO smith before and could not hear it starting in kitchen or front room. With AO Smith couldn’t hardly hear it starting when you are in the same room.

Our 75-gallon Bradford White water heater failed after 5 years and 9 months, flooding our basement with 70+ gallons of water. The 6-year warranty was for the heater itself, no labor and not the water damage of course. BUT, the warranty claim has to go through a licensed plumber, so the new plumber (who did not install the BW water heater) has to find a BW wholesaler and submit the warranty on behalf of us, the owners. BUT the only recompense will be a discount if the new plumber buys a new unit from BW. There are no BW wholesalers in our area and we had to get a new hot water heater installed immediately. Needless to say it is NOT a Bradford White product. We would not recommend that anyone ever obtain a Bradford White product.

I had a new Bradford White water heater installed back in 2020. Over the years I have work with over 7 water heater installed replacing leaking ones. With the new water heater I noticed when the setting at A, B, C was so hot that the pex pipes were too hot to touch. I tried to reduce the temperature to low. That created another problem. The heater water shut itself off. So a lot of time was spent to up the temperature to a minimum setting so the heater would stay on.

As I write this review, we are still in the process of getting our 1 year old water heater replaced at our expense. Bradford White does not pay the labor which is another $650.00 on top the $1800.00 I paid March of 2025 to install. The water has been inspected and determined that there is internal leak, that has caused the burner unit to rust. Now knowing what the issue is Bradford White is still not standing by their product and passing the cost onto the consumer, rather than standing by their product and covering the cost of a faulty product. After reading other reviews and the issues that this company seems to have with their product, I would stay far away from this brand and any other brand that may be manufactured by this company. The last water heater installed in my home was purchased from Lowe's 8 years ago, and finally went out in March of 2025. It was not Bradford White.

Hands down one of the most miserable customer service experience. Our tankless system is only 3 years old and the company has been SO unresponsive to any of the service companies we have hired to fix it. It has been over 6 months with no resolution. NEVER buy a product from this company.

The thermostat box went bad within first year, replaced under warranty, next box went bad 5 years later, not replaced under warranty, cheaper to get a new water heater, won't be buying a Bradford White.

I experienced a warranty issue with my Bradford White water heater concerning the gas control knob. Although the unit was under warranty and the replacement part should have been covered, the knob is not sold separately. As a result, the entire gas control valve assembly had to be replaced, leading to significantly higher labor costs that were not covered under the warranty. I ended up paying nearly half the cost of a new water heater just to resolve this issue.

We had a new Bradford White water heater installed less than 6 years ago. 2 weeks ago it leaked a huge amount of water into our finished basement. Called the plumber who determined the inner tank had failed. Less than 6 years old! Because it was under warranty for 6 years we received a new tank (took a week, but okay). Problem is that WE still had to pay for the install (close to $800). I really don't see why we need to pay for that seeing as it was their product that failed. I contacted them but was told that it is their policy not to pay for labor. I recommend a different manufacturer. This tank should have lasted at least 10-15 years.

I've had my heat pump water for 6 years. The flush valve is poorly designed and leaks. Customer service offered no help and the warranty only covers the part, not the labor to diagnose or install. Bad customer service and poorly designed product.

I would give zero stars if I could. Purchased a top of the line water heat from Bradford White. Two years old and the relief valve goes bad. Bradford white will only reimburse for the part- $100 and I am responsible for the other $200 in labor. The $100 part the plumber has to put in the warranty for reimbursement but I received a bill for the part- so I am not sure how that will go. Look for a company with a better warranty.

Bradford White Water Heaters are supposed to be great products. But I have purchased two in the past 12 years due to leaks in the main tank. Prior to these two, our water heaters lasted 10-13 years. Our water is medium hard, 7 gpg, and we do not use a water softener. In both instances the tank started leaking right after the 6 year warranty. Draining the tank often and replacing the anode rod is the only way to lengthen the life of the tank. But, Bradford White designed their the anode rod so that is integrated into the hot water outlet.

Do not buy this brand of water heater. Ours was leaking and we watched a youtube video to see if we can fix it. The place where the leak is coming from is designed so that no tool can open it. We went to several hardware stores to see if we can find a tool to open the connection nobody had it. So I called the company and asked them if they have a tool. The guy on the phone said call a plumber and he did not know anything about the product. The water heater they make do not last and after 6 or 7 years they go bad.

We have had a Bradford White tankless hot water heater for 14 months and are on our second service call. Their tech support is not helpful. We had to replace a recirculating pump in less than a year. And also having error codes regarding an input sensor that only goes away if we turn off the recirculating pump. And their tech support told us that the recirculating pump on the one we were sold would not work for the length of piping we have!! All around horrible.

I had a BW water heater installed 4 years ago; it came with a 6Y warranty. This heater stopped working 2 months ago and the replacement heater was provided at no charge under the warranty program. However, it cost me $1200 in labor and parts charges when the new heater was installed, When I spoke with BW about this cost that I had to incur because of their failed product they basically said "that's not our problem". Other manufacturers I have dealt with will help pay for the installation charges. I would not recommend BW products.

I strongly advise against purchasing a Bradford White water heater. My unit "crapped out" after only 5 years, and the experience with their warranty department has been a nightmare. Despite the unit being under warranty, the company refused to provide a replacement. Instead, they forced me into a "trial and error" process, making me wait up to two weeks for individual parts to arrive just to "see" if they fixed the problem.

02/2024 My pro plumber installed a Bradford White hot water heater, $1700. 02/17/2025 my new Bradford White hot water heater quit working and was leaking from the bottom. Although replaced under warranty, I had to pay $200 for reinstallation. 11/18/2025, once again, my Bradford White water heater quit working, same issue leaking from the bottom. Replaced under warranty, another $300 reinstallation fee from my plumber. 12/12/2025 called Bradford White requesting to refund my installation fees of $500. They first accused the issues as faulty installation, until I mentioned their ongoing problems of leaking from the bottom and she changed her tune. She informed me that my plumber is the one to submit for reinstallation cost and have them to move forward with reimbursement from Ferguson distributors.

I had a water heater installed and was very satisfied with the two gentlemen that came. Friendly answered any questions, cleaned the area and carried away old water heater and Installed the new one and went through the process of explaining warranty and so on. Excellent work. Thank you.

We had their authorized installer replace an old one that served reliably for 21 years with a new one. The old one did not have any rust or leaks but the pilot just kept going off probably due to age. Didn’t want to fix as it already lasted 20 plus years. Twice the length of the warranty on it. Great quality

Stay away from Bradford White water heaters. Just bought a new house and it lasted 3 months. The plumber came out and installed a new one and and the burner would not light up to heat the water, had to go back and get another one, plumber says stay away from this brand. It is nothing but problems. Rick **