Kenmore 50 gal. Tall Natural Gas Hot Water Heater (33157)
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Kenmore 50 gal. Tall Natural Gas Hot Water Heater (33157) Reviews


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4.1 of 5 (by 30 reviewers)
Rating Summary | 80% of reviewers recommend (24 out of 30)

Pros
  • cost (12)
  • easy installation (9)
  • easy to install (8)
  • high first hr rating (8)
  • efficeint effective (8)
  • ordering through 800 number was easy. (4)
Cons
  • none noted dufus installers (3)
  • none (2)
  • loud (2)
  • getting warranty service is a joke (2)
  • its a lemon (1)
  • lacking detail for standard install fee. (1)
  • install fees can mount up (1)
  • burner a little loud (1)
  • temperature pressure valve (1)
Most Helpful Favorable Review

“Power Miser 12 Seems Great So Far.”

So far, this hot water heater is outstanding. The water is MUCH hotter than my old tank even though I'm setting this new one at a lower setting. My Wife hasn't complained once about running out of hot water like she did with our old tank. The burner assembly is a little loud but no big deal. If the... read full review »
Posted on Feb 02, 2011
Most Helpful Critical Review

“Works Well, But Surprisingly Loud”

We bought this water heater in December of 2010. The install was smooth, if pricey (expect to pay what you paid for the heater when all is said and done between installation, parts and getting up to code). The heater itself works fine, but it is surprising loud compared to our older commercial model,... read full review »
Posted on Dec 29, 2010

Kenmore 50 gal. Tall Natural Gas Hot Water... Reviews

Displaying reviews 1 - 13 of 30 in total

“I'm very happy with my purchase of the Kenmore water heater”

I was very impressed with the speed of getting hot water, only 1 hour after hooking up and firing, I was able to get a hot shower, run my dishwasher, and get a load of whites washed. Only have had this for a little over a week now, but no problems yet.. If you are a d.i.y. person, you should have no problems hooking it up.Check local ordinance/codes to ensure compliance in your area.
Posted on Jan 22, 2011

“Water heater seems great - service could be an issue”

Replaced a 9 yr old water heater. Installation went well, connections were really close to the old water heater except this one is bigger diameter - sure it has to do with the insulation which is a good thing and a reason I bought this model along with the 12 yr warranty. HOWEVER, had an issue with the flame going yellow after we first lit the water heater. Called Sears the day after the install because I was concerned that there was something really wrong with the air/fuel mixture. Agreed we should have someone look at it but the appointment was scheduled a week out. I hadn't moved in to... read full review »
Posted on Jan 27, 2011

“Great Price & Easy to Install”

Sears just placed this hot water heater on sale with the price being the same at the local store and online. Using the Sears Internet website, I determined that this model would fit my family needs the best. By visiting the local store, I was able to make make sure a local salesperson received a commission on the sale and could have had next day delivery. The online option displayed a longer delivery window. Although I have never installed a gas appliance before, the included instruction manual is very helpful and complete. The installation took less than two hours including the time to drain... read full review »
Posted on Feb 22, 2011

“Power Miser 12 - 50 Gallon Natural Gas, quiet & performing well”

I replaced a failed 40 gallon tank that was 15years old with the Power Miser 12, 50 gallon tank. We have five in our family and the old unit struggled through the morning shower routine. We had to space out our showers carefully to allow for the recovery time of the old tank. With the new tank recovery is much faster and the extra capacity is helping us too. I'm looking forward to the energy credit to offset the cost of the unit. It has only been a few days since installation, but it's going well so far. It's much quieter than our old unit when it flames up. The millivolt pilot starter is nice....

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Posted on Nov 30, 2010

“not even close to the kenmore standard”

pilot/burner assembly failed after 2 years.  Replacement parts are ordered directly from the manufacturer, so be prepared to take cold showers for awhile if you need any parts.  

I've owned many Kenmore & Craftsman products and would recommend many of them.  But frankly, it's clear that the PM 12 has issues with the pilot/burner assembly that have overwhelmed the parts & service department's ability to warranty & service them. 

Many other users report the identical issue with PM water heaters.  Don't just take my word for it -  do your research before considering a Power Miser.  
Posted on Sep 18, 2010

“Heats water great, but failed within 5 years.”

We've had our water heater for about 4 1/2 years.  Two days ago it developed a slow leak - out of the top of all places.  Called Sears.  They confirmed a failed tank.  The only cost for replacement was the labor, new flexible pipe, and new earthquake straps (the plumber said that updated building codes required re-positioning of the straps.  New straps were about the same cost as re-positioning the old ones.  What a rip-off.  They also said they always replace pipe when replacing the heater - regardless of age).  The plumber also said new building codes required a sediment trap.  When...

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Posted on Sep 30, 2010

“Produces plenty of hot water, and is quiet.”

Posted on Feb 06, 2011

“Kenmore 50 Gal. nat. gas hot water heater works but is noisy”

We replaced our 20 year old gas hot water heater with the Kenmore 50. Gal natural gas hot water heater. Installation was relatively painless, however the hot water heater itself is significantly louder than the old one. We can hear when it starts running from anywhere in the house.
Posted on Feb 08, 2011

“Kenmore 50 jal. Tall Natural Gas Hot Water Heater (33157)”

Now... I wouldn't recommend installing this hot water heater yourself...

But let me tell you, I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE THIS EASY!!!

Keep in mind, I was replacing an existing gas water heater. 

If this was a brand new installation I would have never given it a thought.

Granted, you do have to know a little bit about water heaters or have a

tad bit more then a familiar knowledge about pipe work.  But, anyone who

is not a professional plumber but knows how basic piping works can do it.

I'd have to say, the most difficult thing was getting retro-fitted to the existing

connections and finding...

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Posted on Jul 23, 2010

“Kenmore Gas Water Heater 50 gal - so far so good”

bought and installed on the same day.  Everything went well and well worth the savings to do it myself.
Posted on May 31, 2010

“Great product”

This Kenmore water heater is great. The price is unbeatable.  When I purchased this item from Sears, I checked everywhere and Sears had the best price.
Posted on Apr 20, 2010

“will work well for only a year or two”

These water heaters were redesigned a few years back. They feature more safety... but these changes in design cause more service calls and cold water. The closed/restricted air intake to the combustion chamber will begin to snuff out your pilot. It'll happen a couple times a month... before you know it, it'll be 3 times a day.

When your unit gets a few years old, and you start having this problem email me.

Hondaddy at Hondaddy dot com  . They have some problem with me using my normal actual email.

 ,I will send you some info on how to get it back right without having to pay for an unnecessary...

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Posted on Dec 29, 2009

“One of the Best”

We started our research regarding purchasing an Energy Star Water Heater about one year prior to this purchase, because the one we had was over twelve years old and on its last leg. Wanted a high efficiency Water Heater with a great warranty and company history, since there are only a few companies that make these heaters. It was somewhat interesting to find out which one, we stood with a good company that would stand behind its warranty. Sears did hit that list, second I wanted a respectful and trusted company which I found out made this Water Heater. Actually this was rated as one of the top... read full review »
Posted on Aug 06, 2009

Reviews of Kenmore 50 gal. Tall Natural Gas Hot Water Heater (33157)

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