Reliance and State are both AO Smith subsidiary brands sharing the same manufacturing, engineering, and components. The split is channel — Reliance to hardware stores, State to Lowe\'s and Ferguson plumbing wholesale.
Side-by-side
| Reliance | State | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | AO Smith | AO Smith |
| Channel | Ace, True Value, Do it Best, plumbing wholesale | Lowe\'s, Ferguson + plumbing wholesale |
| 6-yr tier name | Standard 6-NORT | ProLine |
| 9-yr tier name | Extended 9-NORT | ProLine Master |
| 12-yr tier name | Premium 12-50-NORT | ProLine XE |
| Hybrid name | HPHE | Premier Hybrid |
| Customer service | 1-800-365-4054 (AO Smith) | 1-800-365-4054 (same) |
Pricing comparison (50-gal NG)
- 6-yr: Reliance 6-50-NORT $749-949 vs State ProLine $749-949 — roughly equal
- 9-yr: Reliance 9-50-NORT $849-1,049 vs State ProLine Master $899-1,099 — Reliance often $50 cheaper
- 12-yr: Reliance 12-50-NORT $949-1,199 vs State ProLine XE $999-1,249 — Reliance often $50-100 cheaper
- 66-gal Hybrid: Reliance HPHE-66 $1,599-1,999 vs State Premier Hybrid 66 $1,799-2,199 — Reliance often $200 cheaper
Where the difference matters
- Emergency same-day swap: Reliance wins — local Ace likely has 50-gal 6-NORT in stock; Lowe\'s typically delivers in 1-3 days
- Install service: Lowe\'s offers turnkey install ($199-499 typical); hardware stores rely on independent contractors
- Contractor preference: plumbers buying through Ferguson default to State; plumbers buying through smaller wholesale default to AO Smith Signature or Reliance
- Hybrid availability: State Premier Hybrid more widely stocked at Lowe\'s than HPHE at hardware stores; special-order Reliance HPHE may take 1-2 weeks
Real-world equivalence
If you replaced a 6-year State ProLine 50-gal natural gas with a 6-year Reliance 6-50-NORT, you\'d be installing the exact same physical product — same tank, same gas valve, same anode rod, same FVIR system. Branded literature differs. Hardware-channel pricing on Reliance is the practical benefit.
Which to choose
- Reliance: if you shop at Ace/True Value/Do it Best, need same-day tank swap, or want $50-200 savings on the equivalent tier
- State: if you\'re using Lowe\'s install service, your contractor buys at Ferguson, or you want a specific State-only model
Bottom line
Identical product across the badge swap. Channel is the real difference. Pricing favors Reliance by $50-200 at equivalent tiers; install integration favors State at Lowe\'s.