A look at some of the brands that make this household necessity in the USA.
A few weeks ago, I learned the hard way that hot water heaters don’t last forever. Ours gave out after 21 years, leaking until I had no choice but to call a plumber. He said something that stayed with me: “They just don’t make them like they used to.” That sent me digging into where hot water heaters are made today, and I was pleasantly surprised to find there are a number of Made in USA brands in operation.
But before diving into the names, let’s talk basics.
There are two main kinds of water heaters: tank models, which store hot water in a big insulated cylinder, and tankless models, which heat water on demand. Within those categories, you’ll find gas, electric, propane, and hybrid/heat pump varieties. Tank models are familiar, steady, and usually less expensive upfront. That’s what we had, and it did its job faithfully for two decades. Tankless models save space and can be more efficient but will cost more at the start. Hybrids, which are often a tank paired with heat pump technology, are gaining popularity for energy savings. Once I understood the differences, I wanted to know: If I’m buying American, which brands should I be looking at?
When I started digging, three big names stood out.
Bradford White
I chose Bradford White because it was recommended by my plumber (and Made in America, of course). He said he installs them often and trusts them to hold up, which gave me peace of mind after seeing my old tank flood the basement. Its main plant is in Middleville, Mich., where about 1,600 people work and are represented by the United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 1002. Bradford White owns Niles Steel Tank in Niles, Mich., where 75 workers from the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13729 build storage tanks that have been made there for more than 125 years.
In Rochester, N.H., the company’s Laars division employs about 180 people making boilers and volume water heaters. And its manufacturing footprint goes beyond Michigan and New Hampshire; it also makes electric boilers in Minnesota, stainless steel water heaters in Massachusetts, and specialty products in Wisconsin, including Bock Water Heaters acquired in 2025. From gas and electric models to propane, tankless, and hybrid systems, Bradford White offers the full range. Whatever type of setup you need, they’ve got it covered.
A.O. Smith
A.O. Smith is one of the biggest names in water heating, with U.S. manufacturing plants in Ashland City and Johnson City, Tenn.; McBee, S.C.; and Charlotte, N.C. Its American Water Heaters and State Water Heaters brands also operate under the A.O. Smith umbrella, and the Ashland City site is the company’s largest water heater manufacturing facility — which it says it one of the largest in the world based on its scale and production output. A.O. Smith’s lineup covers just about everything a homeowner might need with tank and tankless models, gas, electric, propane, and hybrid/heat pump options. It was an early leader in rolling out high-efficiency and hybrid designs, which have helped homeowners cut energy costs.
The company employs about 12,700 people worldwide, with roughly 6,200 in North America, making it one of the largest employers in the industry. It’s worth noting that A.O. Smith also manufactures outside of the United States, so not every product bearing its name is American-made. But if your plumber shows up with a replacement on the truck, there’s a good chance it’s an A.O. Smith.
Rheem
With roots going back to the 1920s, Rheem has long been a household name in the American hot water heater market, with a plant in Montgomery, Ala., that employs more than 900 people and produces most of its standard residential and commercial models. The company’s Marathon series, a distinctive all-plastic electric water heater, is built at a separate site in Eagan, Minn. Ruud, a sister brand, is made in the same facilities with the same technology but sold under a different name through separate installer and distributor networks.
It’s important to note that Rheem doesn’t publicly list the origin of each model. The most reliable way to confirm is by checking the silver or white data plate on the unit, which shows its plant code, or by asking your distributor before installation. Rheem also manufactures in Mexico and other countries, so you’ll have to do some sleuthing. Still, if you’ve ever browsed water heaters at Home Depot, you’ve seen Rheem stacked from floor to ceiling.
Other American-Made Options
There are a few other choices worth noting beyond the big names. Rinnai is a popular name in tankless water heaters, and while they’re not fully manufactured here, it assembles units at a facility in Georgia. Hubbell builds electric commercial water heaters in Connecticut that have earned a reputation for durability in schools, hospitals, and other institutions. And Lochinvar, now part of A.O. Smith, continues to manufacture high-efficiency boilers and water heaters in Tennessee, serving both homeowners and commercial projects.
No matter which route you go, it’s good to know there are still American-made options out there.
Replacing a water heater isn’t glamorous, and it usually happens in a rush after a breakdown. But I’m glad I paused to look into who makes these big steel tanks that keep our showers warm. I didn’t expect to find so many American-made choices, and I feel good knowing my money went to support jobs here at home. Now, when I walk past that new Bradford White in the basement, I don’t just hear the water heating up; I think about the people who built it and the work it supports. That makes the hot showers feel a little better, too.
My plumber had said, “they just don’t make them like they used to.” Maybe that’s true, but after seeing how many people are still building them here in America, I think they still make them pretty well.