The Reddit community has genuinely mixed feelings about Rheem. Long-term owners frequently report decades of reliable service from older units, while more recent buyers describe early failures and declining quality. Rheem is broadly seen as a serviceable mid-tier brand — widely available and easy to get parts for — but not the top choice for those prioritizing maximum longevity.
Rheem has a real track record of multi-decade durability, especially in older units and the Marathon line, but perceived quality decline in newer models and the importance of buying from a plumbing supply house rather than a big-box store make it a conditional rather than unconditional recommendation.
Many users report Rheem products lasting 20+ years with minimal maintenance, and the brand earns consistent praise for parts availability, repairability, and competitive warranties. Their heat pump water heaters and plastic Marathon tank in particular draw positive attention.
Several users report early failures on newer Rheem units, and a recurring criticism is that big-box store models are lower quality than contractor or supply-house versions. Quality is widely perceived to have declined compared to older units.
One user noted that Rheem and similar brands sell cheaper, more problem-prone models to big-box stores, and the better-quality versions are only available through proper plumbing supply houses.
A commercial HVAC technician said they've had pretty good luck with Rheem for standard gas furnaces, and that regular filter changes are the key to long service life.
A homeowner described a Rheem furnace, AC, and water heater all running trouble-free for over 20 years, calling the brand bulletproof.
One user's family discovered their Rheem water heater was original to a 1978 house and still functioning, despite being in an area with notoriously hard water.