Can I install a new water heater myself?

Answer:

Uh I would rather see someone hire a professional and just be safe and get it done right. That way it'll pass inspection and at least you, the homeowner, will have some type of warranty if something goes wrong. What are some good brands of water heaters? Um, my personal opinion, I think AOS Smith and Navy make the best water heaters. Um, they have the best warranties, the best customer service, best technical support. So, things go wrong, you can call, get them fixed. They get you a new one. They walk you through troubleshooting. especially other plumbing technicians, if they're not really understanding the whole problem of what's going on on their water heaters, you can call and they'll answer and they'll walk you through the technical process.

Summary:

Blake Nunez strongly recommended hiring a professional for water heater installation to ensure compliance with code, safety, and to secure a warranty. Blake Nunez identified AOS Smith and Navien as top water heater brands, citing their superior warranties, customer service, and technical support