Let me guess — you’ve walked into a big box store and thought, “Why would I pay more at a plumbing supply house when this water heater looks exactly the same?”

Well, I used to think the same thing… until Bear (yes, my Bear) sat me down for Plumbing 101.
He’s been saying it for years: “They are NOT the same.”

Fast forward to now — thanks to Mitch Smedley, we finally have proof! Mitch took apart two water heaters — one from a plumbing supplier and one from a big box store — and guess what?
The plumbing supply version was 11 pounds heavier. Thicker metal. Better quality. Longer life.

It’s a little like comparing a homemade pie crust to the store-bought kind — both get the job done, but one has that “made-to-last” touch.

So yes, the big box store unit might save you a few bucks upfront, but if you want something that lasts (and doesn’t leave you cold in the shower at 6 a.m.), trust the heavier one — and trust your licensed plumber to install it right.

Because as Bear says, “Doing it right the first time always costs less than doing it twice.” 💧

If you want the full scoop — or a plumber who still believes in craftsmanship — check out www.bearsplumbing.net.

Thanks to Mitch Smedley for his work and video on this comparison