The short answer
Rheem is the line Head's installs most, and we're a Rheem Pro contractor — meaning factory training and warranty backing on the brand. Rheem makes reliable, widely-serviceable tank, tankless, and hybrid heat-pump models at every tier, which is why it's our default recommendation for most metro-Atlanta homes.
What is Rheem known for?
Rheem is one of the largest water heater manufacturers in North America, and that scale shows up where it counts: parts are easy to source, technicians everywhere are trained on the platform, and the lineup covers gas, electric, tankless, and hybrid heat-pump models under one roof.
As a Rheem Pro contractor, Head's gets factory training and direct warranty support on these units. In practice that means faster warranty resolutions for you and fewer surprises during a repair.
What does the Rheem lineup look like?
The higher tiers aren't just marketing — they bring real differences in tank lining, anode protection, and warranty length that affect how long the unit lasts in Atlanta's water.
Rheem tiers, in plain terms:
- Performance — the value tier: solid, no-frills tanks for budget-minded replacements
- Performance Plus / Platinum — longer warranties, better efficiency, smarter controls
- Professional (Prestige) — the contractor-grade line with the best warranties and features, including leak-detection and Wi-Fi models
- Tankless (gas, condensing and non-condensing) — for endless hot water and space savings
- ProTerra hybrid heat pump — the highest-efficiency electric option, often tax-credit eligible
What's the warranty and reliability reality?
Rheem tanks commonly carry 6-, 10-, or 12-year warranties depending on tier; tankless and hybrid units often run longer. The longer-warranty models usually have a heavier anode rod and better tank lining — they genuinely tend to last longer, not just carry a longer paper warranty.
Reliability is strong across the line, but no water heater is maintenance-free. Annual flushing and on-schedule anode-rod replacement are what get you to (and past) the warranty term, especially with our moderately hard local water.
Warranty fine print that matters
Most manufacturer warranties require a code-compliant install (correct expansion control, venting, and connections) and reasonable maintenance. A permitted, professional install protects the warranty you're paying for.
Who is a Rheem unit right for?
Rheem is the easy answer for most homeowners who want a dependable, well-supported unit with a clear upgrade path from budget to premium. If you want endless hot water and have the gas and venting for it, the tankless line fits; if you want the lowest operating cost and have the space, the ProTerra hybrid is the standout.
Where Rheem shines is serviceability — because we install and stock it heavily, a future repair is rarely a waiting game.
What's the next step?
Tell us your fuel type, household size, and budget, and we'll size the right Rheem model for your home, quote it flat-rate, and install it to code. If a different brand actually fits you better, we'll say so.
Yes — Head's is a Rheem Pro contractor, which means factory training and warranty backing on Rheem equipment. It's the line we install most across metro Atlanta.
For a long-term home, the higher tiers (Performance Platinum or Professional/Prestige) usually pay off through better tank protection and longer warranties. For a rental or short-term hold, the Performance value tier can make sense. We'll match the tier to your situation.
Yes. Rheem makes gas tankless models (including high-efficiency condensing units) and the ProTerra hybrid heat pump, which is its most efficient electric option and is often eligible for the federal 25C tax credit.
Terms in this guide
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF)
- The federal efficiency rating for water heaters — the higher the UEF, the more hot water you get per dollar of energy. It is the apples-to-apples number to compare brands and models, because every manufacturer is tested the same way.
- First Hour Rating (FHR)
- For tank water heaters, how many gallons of hot water the unit can deliver in a busy first hour starting full. Sizing to your household's real peak demand (back-to-back showers, laundry, dishwasher) matters more than tank gallons alone.
- Anode rod
- A sacrificial metal rod inside a tank water heater that corrodes on purpose so the steel tank does not. Replacing a spent anode rod on schedule is one of the cheapest ways to extend a water heater's life.
- Thermal expansion tank
- A small tank installed near a water heater on a closed plumbing system (one with a pressure-reducing valve or check valve). It absorbs the pressure spike created as water heats and expands, protecting the heater and fixtures — and it is required by code in many metro-Atlanta jurisdictions.
- Heat pump water heater (HPWH)
- A highly efficient electric water heater that moves heat from the surrounding air into the water tank instead of generating heat directly. It can use roughly a third of the energy of a standard electric tank and may qualify for federal tax credits.
- Tankless water heater
- A water heater that heats water on demand as it flows through the unit, instead of storing it in a tank. It saves space and avoids standby heat loss, but needs correct sizing and periodic descaling.