A GE water heater was installed in our new home in 1962. As of today, November 2, 2014, we are pleased to let you know it is still in excellent working condition 52 years later... Way to go GE... The only update we changed lower element twice in 52 years!!!

The defect is in the Gas Control and Thermal Coupling, per my licensed plumber. GE tells me my water heater is still under warranty; therefore, I would like an authorization code to have it replaced by Home Depot where it was originally purchased. Home Depot tells me I need GE to give me the authorization code. BTW, your CS rep was very helpful. She is sending both items to me, but I prefer to have a replacement for the cost my plumber will charge to install parts in a questionable product. Thank you.

I am writing this more as an educational notice for consumers of the G.E./Rheem gas water heaters to aid in uninterrupted service and understanding of the water heater. Installation locations: If you have installed your unit outside, all though in the owner’s manual, it states that G.E./Rheem says to never install the unit outside. People that live in warm climates do have their unit installed as such, but in a metal enclosure, of which to the city codes are fine, but again not by the G.E./Rheem standards. So being as this is accepted by city codes, people do and will continue to install water heater outside in enclosures.

No matter what it is whether it's a GE hot water heater, an iPhone, a car or a frozen TV dinner, you're going to find someone that had a bad experience. After a day of rain eight years after I put in my Home Depot GE hot water heater, the pilot was out. I don't know if it was wet in there or what but it took me 10 hours of repeated attempts and while I was searching online for answers and deals on replacing it, I kept trying. And tonight at 10:30 PM I didn't bugger about, I just held down the pilot for one minute, and then once the pilot remained lit on its own, as fast as I could I turned the thermostat to medium high and kaboom it lit up wonderfully. Maybe it dried out but I would not say that GE water heaters are a piece of Home Depot junk. As I said earlier I installed mine eight years ago and it has never had a problem and since tonight it restarted and I checked the tap and now have hot water. I suspect it will be fine but if I need a new one, eight years hasn't been a bad run. Just follow the instructions very carefully and repeat and repeat and repeat. Good luck.

I purchased a GE Smart water heater and installed in October 2004. I have not had any issue or problem. 50 gallon natural gas unit for 5 people. 40,000 BTU I am looking to replace before there is a problem and will certainly look at GE again, but these more recent reviews are a concern. The trouble is, these websites attract those who are dissatisfied and may give a biased view of a product.