40 Gallon Natural Gas Water Heater - N40S61-403
4.5
5
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268
So far, so good
I've only had this gas water heater for a month. I was told by the installer that it was a really good product and good price. Be sure to use the proper and recommended parts. Do not use the most inexpensive parts. The others do not cost that much more and my installer said that safety is your number 1 priority. I took the less expensive ones back and he got the recommended ones.
So I hope it works as well as my last one which lasted 20 years. Still wasn't "broken" but it was time to replace it.
Thank you Whirlpool.
May 22, 2013
This product was a normal install. Looks good.
Previous heater was a US Craftmaster with the same features: 40 gallon shortboy & 6 year warranty. It lasted 12 years with a family of 6. This model looks exactly like previous unit & has US Craftmaster label so we are expecting the same duration or longer. New heater seems to have a faster recovery to supply hot water. The status light is a nice feature that the old unit did not have.
May 21, 2013
Great product
This product is everything I experienced. install was easy and professionally done by Lowe's.
May 20, 2013
The heater has good features
It was easy for my husband to install. He does have plumbing experience
May 20, 2013
Pro, easy to light, Con, tough water tight seal on top fittings.
Fairly easy to install. seems very stable and sturdy, gas hook up went smooth. Only problem was with the top connect, had to tighten the nipples VERY tight for a water tight seal. once done worked nicely and no drips!
May 19, 2013
Nice looking water heater
Nice looking water heater, has easy cutoff valve, but definitely has a loud pilot light (hot water) ignition.
May 14, 2013
Good Value
This replaced a 1988 vintage unit. It's only been in for a week now, but so far so good. The price of this unit was a hair lower than competitive units available thru Home Depot & Menard's. With my 5% contractor discount, it was a much better deal at Lowe's.
I saw people complain about the difficulty in getting the water fittings in, but it was just as I expected as I connected the dielectric nipples. Did they go straight in with plumbing fittings? I fear so.
Particularly, if you are replacing an older unit, don't expect the gas line or exhaust piping to line up. The gas valve was lower than the old unit's and the point of connecting the exhaust was several inches higher - although I clearly picked the "short" unit. Any way, just make sure you pickup a flex supply line (the kits they sell with the flex water lines, nipples, flex gas line and compression water line connectors are a great deal and for those afraid to sweat may make this a less stressful job) and plan for a little modification of the exhaust stack. Also, if you didn't already have it, some gas leak testing solution is mandatory for a safe install.
The flame burned very yellow for the first several hours and it sounded like water was dripping onto the burner. The following day, it quieted down and has been burning a pretty blue flame since.
Finally, this was the first water heater with an external "filter" that wraps around the base of the unit that I've installed. It does look a little "cheesy", but it is better looking than the gap left by the galvanized feet.
May 12, 2013
this water heater is junk
All the handy features, safeties, and gizmos in the world don't make up for the fact that this water heater doesn't do the one thing it is supposed to do: provide hot water for my family and me. My wife and I have one small child. We try to conserve water at every opportunity. We have all high efficiency appliances. Yet this water heater cannot come close to keeping up with demand. It is two years old and I have had to work on this thing more than any other item in our home. I'm about ready to rip it out and take it back to Lowe's. Its junk. Don't buy it. And before you claim it was installed wrong, I had it professionally installed by a trusted plumber.
May 12, 2013
I like the pilot ignition.
Shopping on line made it easy to compare size & capacity which helped in the ease of installation. Easy to light & no problems. Good product with value.
May 10, 2013
good water heater for the $$$
easy to install heats water up fast purchased at local Lowes store
May 10, 2013
