Richmond vs Bradford White Water Heater
Making the right choice when selecting a water heater is crucial. It’s a decision that will affect you for years. The Richmond and Bradford White brands are probably well-known to you if you’re shopping for a new water heater or want to replace an existing one.
They are among the largest water heater engineering firms in the world. We compare the two water heater brands in this post to help you choose the best.
Richmond Company Review
Richmond is a division of the renowned tankless water heater manufacturer Rheem [1]. The company was founded in 1983. While maintaining Rheem’s high standards for quality, Richmond sets itself apart by developing its own cutting-edge technology for various residential and commercial heaters.
Richmond manufactures a range of water heaters that are sold to clients in the US and Canada. These come in tank, tankless, and hybrid types and run on electricity, gas, and solar energy.
Although tank heaters make up the majority of Richmond heaters, tankless heaters are the most advanced and energy-efficient options available. These are made to satisfy a variety of water needs. Richmond water heaters are good mid-tier brand water heaters in terms of their quality, price, and installation. [2]
Bradford White Company Review
Bradford White was established in 1881. It has its corporate office in Philadelphia and several important manufacturing plants around the globe.
The company has been effective in keeping up with technical improvements despite its lengthy history.
The company has created numerous cutting-edge water heating technologies over the years, including the Hydrojet Total Performance System, a Vitraglas Lining, and Smart Controls. The goal of Bradford White is to provide water heaters with the ideal balance of performance, efficiency, and durability.
Richmond vs Bradford White Water Heater
It makes a huge difference to select the ideal water heater for your house. The best water heater is made by Bradford White, but Richmond heaters are more affordable. It’s critical to evaluate both in a fair manner. The product line, durability, efficiency, and simplicity of installation of each brand will be discussed.
1. Product Line
There is a wide variety of water heaters available from both Bradford White and Richmond. Their water heaters have a capacity range of 10 to 120 gallons, so they can accommodate the requirements of all types of homes and enterprises.
The gas and electric water heaters that Bradford White is most known for producing are also available in gas, electric and solar variants.
It offers a variety of water heater options, including specialty models, point-of-use and tankless models, atmospheric and power-vented devices, and tank versions. The business sells water heaters for domestic, industrial, and commercial use.
The Richmond Company offers gas, electric, and solar water heaters. They sell a wide variety of heaters that can be used for both industrial and domestic purposes. Richmond has a wide range of products that are suitable for all home sizes and needs, with various tank sizes and flow rates. They offer condensing, mid-efficiency, and electric tankless water heaters.
Their tankless line includes whole-home and point-of-use devices that enable on-demand hot water for a variety of uses. They can produce up to 8.8 gallons of hot water per minute and are so small they can fit anywhere. They also provide continuous hot water. They guarantee exceptional energy efficiency and offer self-diagnostic diagnostics to address any difficulties.
2. Durability
One of the best-known brands of water heaters on the market is Bradford White. They have a wide range of thoughtful features that allow them to withstand all types of wear and tear that comes from frequent use. Overall, they outlast Richmond water heaters in terms of service life.
The Vitraglas Tank Lining and Hydrojet Total Performance System are two of Bradford White water heaters’ most significant durability-improving innovations. Vitraglas Tank liner is an enamel tank liner that shields steel tanks and other components from the corrosive effects of hot water. [3]
It also has a special compound structure that allows it to change size along with the tank. The Hydrojet Total Performance System, on the other hand, is a tube that distributes cold water to lessen silt buildup, which is the biggest risk to a water heater’s longevity.
Richmond puts its tanks to thorough testing. Because they clean themselves, they have a longer lifespan [4]. They stop the accumulation of lint, dust, and other organic debris. Moreover, the device features a built-in automated shut-off to avoid explosions.
They are fantastic for a busy family because they are highly energy-efficient and give enough hot water to run appliances and have a shower at the same time. Customers claim that despite Bradford White’s claims, the Richmond brand performs this function better. Furthermore, the majority of these functions are only offered by Bradford on more expensive versions.
3. Efficiency
High-efficiency water heaters are produced by both Bradford White and Richmond. However, Bradford White appears to have a little advantage in this area.
The Hydrojet Total Performance System from Bradford White increases the energy efficiency of its water heaters while also extending their lifespan [5].
This technology makes sure the water heaters don’t have to work harder to provide hot water. This results in lower energy usage by preventing sediment buildup.
Choose an Infiniti K Series vehicle with cutting-edge Steadiset Technology for maximum efficiency. Instead of adding water volume, this approach creates a surplus of water by utilizing the water already present in the heat exchanger. The total number of ENERGY STAR-certified water heater models offered by Bradford White exceeds 60 [6].
The sophisticated features of the Richmond water heaters provide optimal efficiency while also protecting your tank. They are unquestionably among the most effective and durable water heaters available. This sort of heater has some beneficial characteristics, such as:
- A durable stainless steel heating element that ensures a longer tank life;
- A self-cleaning mechanism;
- Heat traps that guarantee great energy efficiency.
- Ease of Installation
Electric tankless heaters made by Richmond are renowned for their ease of installation. They are compact enough to fit in a variety of places. Some models (such as the RMTEX-18) have bottom-mounted 34-inch NPT water connections.
Gas water heater installation is always more difficult than with other types. Due to the potential risks related to gas, you will need to hire a qualified HVAC technician.
Professionals shouldn’t have any trouble installing this model of Richmond water heater even though they may not have any prior experience with it.
The installation procedure for Bradford White is also simple and hassle-free. The unit’s small size makes it easy to squeeze into a small space. Additionally, the clear and comprehensive instructions make it simple to complete the installation without the need for expert help, saving on additional costs.
Related: Bradford White vs AO Smith
Final word
There are advantages and disadvantages to both the Richmond and Bradford White brands. While Richmond offers better rates and a greater selection of gas water heaters, Bradford White offers the highest quality water heaters currently available.
Ultimately, it all depends on your preferences and the kind of water heater you need. Always read as many reviews as you can to ensure that you’ve chosen the best product for you.
Read Next: AO Smith vs Richmond Water Heater
Michael Davis is a heating & plumbing expert who currently works as independent contractor in SC. He also writes for Plumbertip.
For almost 10 years he worked on various plumbing tasks across South Carolina.
