Reliance 6 50 EORS 50-Gallon Electric Water Heater

The Reliance 6 50 EORS is a 50-gallon residential electric water heater built by AO Smith and sold under the Reliance budget brand. Like other Reliance units, it sits below AO Smith's main residential lines at lower price points with shorter warranties — marketed through hardware stores, plumbing supply houses, and the Lowe's value tier.

Specs: 50 gallons stored, two 4500W heating elements (240V), UEF 0.93, 62-gallon first-hour rating, 6-year tank and parts warranty. Glass-lined steel tank, magnesium anode rod, polyurethane foam insulation, dual upper-and-lower thermostat control.

The Reliance build quality is genuinely AO Smith on the core components (tank lining, elements, thermostats) with simpler external styling and shorter warranty paperwork. The 6-year warranty is the largest practical difference versus AO Smith's premium tiers.

Right buyer: rental property landlords, vacation homes used 4–6 weeks per year, primary-residence buyers on 5–7 year ownership horizons. For longer ownership the upgrade to Rheem Performance Electric (6-year warranty but Rheem service network) or Rheem Performance Platinum Electric (12-year warranty) is usually worth the $100–$250 difference. About $449 unit, $1,100 installed.