nicktheplumber
Gas water heaters are rated as “good,” “better,” and “best” by most suppliers, with the ratings correlating to higer prices and longer “warrantee” service lives.
Like any other mass-produced item, water heaters have “statistical” lifespans. I have seen “cheap” units that have served for a quarter century or more, and “expensive” units that have failed after a couple of years. A significant consideration is the the quality of your water supply, e.g. hard or soft water, and a few other things.
That being said, replacement water heaters are cheap, at least here in the USA. If your heater has failed “before its time,” you should persue getting the manufacturer to replace it under warrantee. The cost difference between “good” and “best” heaters is not much, so I always advise purchasing the “best.”
NtP
