Lowe's is the #2 US water heater retailer behind Home Depot. They've historically positioned around AO Smith / State / Whirlpool brands rather than HD's Rheem-heavy lineup, though the mix has converged in recent years. This page covers Lowe's catalog, install service, and where they compete.
Brand mix at Lowe's
- AO Smith Signature, Signature Select, Signature Premier — the headline tank line. See AO Smith lineup
- AO Smith Voltex hybrid (heat pump)
- State Premier (AO Smith subsidiary, slightly lower price tier)
- Whirlpool tank water heaters (also AO Smith manufacturing under the Whirlpool license)
- Some Rheem presence (overlap with HD)
- Takagi tankless (AO Smith's tankless subsidiary)
- Bosch tankless and Greentherm combi in some markets
- EcoSmart electric tankless
Notably absent or limited:
- Bradford White — plumber-channel only; not at Lowe's
- Rinnai Sensei — limited; some Value Series
- Navien — minimal residential presence at Lowe's
Pricing
| Model | Lowe's price (2026 est) |
|---|---|
| AO Smith Signature 40-gal gas | $650-850 |
| AO Smith Signature 50-gal gas | $700-950 |
| AO Smith Signature Premier 50-gal gas (12-yr warranty) | $950-1,300 |
| AO Smith Signature 50-gal electric | $500-700 |
| AO Smith Voltex 50-gal hybrid | $1,400-1,900 |
| AO Smith Voltex 80-gal hybrid | $2,200-2,800 |
| State Premier 50-gal gas | $600-800 |
| Whirlpool 50-gal gas | $700-900 |
| Takagi T-H3 tankless | $1,500-1,900 |
Pricing is generally within 5% of Home Depot's equivalent units. The brand selection is the real differentiator between channels.
Lowe's install service
Lowe's installation service is similar in structure to Home Depot's:
- Purchase the unit at Lowe's (in-store or online)
- Schedule installation
- Lowe's subcontracts to a local plumber from their network
- Install covers: removal, delivery, install, permit, basic plumbing connections
- Bundled pricing
Install pricing
| Configuration | Lowe's bundled (typical) |
|---|---|
| 50-gal gas tank, same-fuel swap | $1,500-2,200 |
| 50-gal electric tank, swap | $1,200-1,800 |
| Heat pump hybrid 65-gal | $2,800-4,000 |
| Tankless conversion (Takagi) | $4,000-6,000 |
Comparable to Home Depot bundled pricing. Same $300-1,000 premium over local-plumber-direct on most jobs.
When Lowe's makes sense
- You want AO Smith — Lowe's is the volume AO Smith channel
- You're considering Voltex heat pump — Lowe's contractor network is AO Smith-trained
- You need same-day or next-day replacement
- You want bundled financing
- State or Whirlpool branded units — Lowe's stocks these where HD doesn't
When to skip
- You want Bradford White, Rinnai Sensei, or Navien — go to manufacturer-trained installer
- Complex install — combi boiler, complex tankless conversion. Manufacturer-trained installer beats Lowe's generic plumber
- Cost optimization — local plumber beats Lowe's bundle by $300-1,000
Rebates
Lowe's applies manufacturer rebates at checkout for some heat pump models (AO Smith Voltex). Federal IRA credits applied separately on your tax return. State and utility rebates handled outside the Lowe's transaction. See rebates and tax credits.
Lowe's vs Home Depot — head to head
| Lowe's | Home Depot | |
|---|---|---|
| Main tank brand | AO Smith | Rheem |
| Heat pump strength | AO Smith Voltex | Rheem ProTerra |
| Tankless | Takagi, Bosch | Rheem RTGH, EcoSmart |
| Pricing | Comparable | Comparable |
| Install service | Comparable | Comparable |
| Financing | Comparable | Comparable |
The decision usually comes down to brand preference. If you've decided on AO Smith → Lowe's. If you've decided on Rheem → Home Depot. If you don't care about brand → whichever has same-day stock.
Returns and warranty
Lowe's return policy on water heaters: 90 days for unused units. After install, you're working with the manufacturer's warranty (AO Smith's, in most cases). Keep your receipt and register the warranty.
Related guides
Bottom line
Lowe's is the AO Smith / State / Whirlpool channel; HD is Rheem. For tank water heaters from those brands, both are competitive. For Bradford White, Rinnai Sensei, or Navien — skip both and use a manufacturer-trained installer. The bundle install premium is $300-1,000 over local plumber direct; worth it for convenience, skip it for cost optimization.