Rheem water heaters are primarily made in the United States. Their main production facility is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where tank-style water heaters for the North American market have been manufactured for over 50 years. However, some product lines — particularly tankless models — involve components sourced or assembled overseas.
Quick answer: Most Rheem tank water heaters sold in the US are made in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Rheem is owned by Paloma Industries, a Japanese company, but operates as a largely independent American manufacturer headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Where Are Rheem Water Heaters Made?
The vast majority of Rheem residential and commercial tank water heaters for the North American market are manufactured at their flagship plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas. This facility has been in operation for over 50 years and received a $20 million expansion in 2022 to increase production capacity and add a new Innovation Learning Center.
Rheem also operates international manufacturing plants in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Singapore to serve regional markets outside North America. For US consumers, however, the Fort Smith facility is where their water heater most likely came from.
While final assembly is largely domestic, Rheem — like most major appliance manufacturers — sources some components from global suppliers. This is standard practice across the industry and does not affect the “Made in USA” designation on eligible models.
Who Owns Rheem and Is It an American Company?
Rheem Manufacturing Company is an American company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 1925. Since 1988, it has operated as a subsidiary of Paloma Industries, a privately held Japanese conglomerate headquartered in Nagoya, Japan.
Despite Japanese ownership, Rheem functions as an independent American manufacturer with its own leadership, R&D, and production operations. Its day-to-day operations, product development, and primary manufacturing remain rooted in the United States.
Beyond Rheem, the Paloma/Rheem umbrella includes several other well-known brands: Ruud, Raypak, Richmond, Friedrich Air Conditioning, and Eemax. Rheem and Ruud in particular share manufacturing facilities and are often nearly identical products sold under different brand names through different retail channels.
Are Rheem Tankless Water Heaters Made in the USA?
Not always. Tankless water heaters have a more complex global supply chain than traditional tank models. Core components — especially heat exchangers — are commonly manufactured in Asia, where compact high-efficiency heating technology is most advanced.
Some Rheem tankless units undergo final assembly in the US from globally sourced parts, while others may be fully produced overseas. If country of origin matters to you, check the product label or specification sheet for the specific model you’re considering, as it varies by line.
For consumers specifically seeking a US-made water heater, Rheem’s traditional tank-style models — particularly those in the Performance, Performance Plus, and Gladiator lines — are your best bet, as these are assembled at the Fort Smith, Arkansas plant.
Rheem vs Bradford White vs A.O. Smith: Who Makes Theirs in the USA?
This is one of the most common questions among buyers who care about domestic manufacturing. Here is how the three leading brands compare:
Rheem manufactures most tank water heaters in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Tankless components are largely sourced internationally. Owned by Japan’s Paloma Industries.
Bradford White is the most domestic of the three — manufacturing almost entirely in the United States, primarily in Middleville, Michigan. It is also one of the few major brands that sells exclusively through licensed plumbing contractors, not retail stores.
A.O. Smith manufactures in the US (Tennessee and South Carolina) alongside significant global facilities in China, India, and Mexico. Like Rheem, they have both domestic and internationally produced product lines.
Bottom line: if US manufacturing is your top priority, Bradford White leads. If you want broad availability at retail with strong domestic production, Rheem is a solid choice.
Rheem Water Heater Warranty Overview
Rheem’s warranty coverage is tiered by product line, not by manufacturing location. Here is what to expect:
- Standard tank models (Performance line): 6-year tank and parts warranty
- Mid-tier tank models (Performance Plus): 9-year tank and parts warranty
- Premium tank models (Gladiator / Platinum): 12-year tank and parts warranty
- Hybrid heat pump water heaters (ProTerra): 10-year tank and parts warranty
- Tankless gas models: 12-year heat exchanger, 5-year parts, 1-year labor
Register your Rheem water heater within 60 days of installation to activate full warranty coverage. Most standard warranties do not include labor after year one, so factor that into your long-term cost expectations.
Is Rheem a Good Brand? The Honest Verdict
Yes — Rheem is one of the most consistently recommended water heater brands by plumbing professionals in the United States. Their tank water heaters offer reliable performance, strong parts availability, and competitive warranty coverage across all price tiers.
Their ProTerra® hybrid heat pump water heater line is a standout, delivering up to 5x the energy efficiency of a standard electric water heater — making it one of the best choices for homeowners looking to reduce energy bills.
Where Rheem gets mixed reviews is customer service and warranty claim processing, which some homeowners describe as slow. For most buyers who never need to make a claim, this is not a deciding factor. For peace of mind, Bradford White’s all-domestic manufacturing and contractor-only distribution gives some buyers more confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rheem made in China?
No, Rheem tank water heaters for the US market are made in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Rheem does operate manufacturing facilities in China for products sold in Asian markets, and some tankless components may originate from Asian suppliers, but the core US product line is domestically produced.
Is Rheem owned by a Japanese company?
Yes. Rheem has been a subsidiary of Paloma Industries of Nagoya, Japan since 1988. However, Rheem operates independently with its own US-based management, headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and primary manufacturing in Arkansas.
Are Rheem and Ruud the same water heater?
Essentially, yes. Rheem and Ruud are both owned by Paloma/Rheem Manufacturing Company and share the same manufacturing plants, components, and designs. The main difference is distribution: Rheem is sold at retail stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, while Ruud is sold primarily through HVAC and plumbing wholesalers to contractors.
Where can I buy a Rheem water heater?
Rheem water heaters are available at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, plumbing supply houses, and online retailers. Commercial and contractor-grade models are typically available through plumbing wholesalers rather than retail stores.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.