State is a familiar name at hardware stores and plumbing supply houses, but plenty of buyers do not realize the brand has been owned by a much larger water heater conglomerate for over two decades.
That ownership history matters because it explains why State water heaters share so much engineering with a certain premium competitor sitting right next to them on the shelf.
Here is exactly who makes State water heaters today, where they are manufactured, and how real owners rate them once installed.
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Who Really Makes State Water Heaters
State Water Heaters began as State Industries Inc, an independent water heater manufacturer headquartered in Ashland City, Tennessee, before being acquired by A O Smith Corporation in 2001.
Since that acquisition, State has operated as one of several water heater brands under the AO Smith umbrella, and details of the parent company are documented on the Wikipedia entry for A O Smith.
State Water Heater Manufacturing Locations
State water heaters are manufactured primarily in Ashland City, Tennessee, the same location that houses AO Smith flagship factory, described by the company as the largest water heater manufacturing facility in the world.
Because State shares production facilities with the AO Smith brand, the two lines often use very similar tank construction and components, with the main differences coming down to feature sets, warranty length, and retail positioning rather than build quality.
How State Differs From The AO Smith Flagship Brand
State is generally positioned as a value tier alternative to the AO Smith flagship brand, typically sold through plumbing wholesalers and contractors rather than big box retail, with shorter standard warranty terms on base models.
Buyers who want the same manufacturing pedigree at a lower price point often choose State specifically because it delivers comparable core construction to AO Smith without paying for the premium brand name.
What Owners Say About State In Trustpilot And Reviews
Because State sells primarily through professional plumbing channels rather than direct consumer retail, dedicated consumer review volume is limited, but sentiment tied to the shared AO Smith manufacturing family on Trustpilot skews mixed, with product performance generally rated well while customer service response times draw more frequent criticism.
Installer feedback collected by plumbing trade publications tends to describe State units as reliable workhorse water heaters that perform comparably to their AO Smith counterparts at a lower upfront cost.
State Water Heater Warranty And Customer Support
State water heaters carry tiered limited warranties similar in structure to AO Smith, and homeowners can verify specific coverage using the same serial number lookup system on the official AO Smith warranty verification page since both brands share the same parent company support system.
For warranty or service questions, State customers can contact AO Smith customer support at 1 800 527 1953, the same support line used for AO Smith branded products.
How State Compares To Other Water Heater Brands
Buyers weighing State against its own corporate sibling can read our guide to where AO Smith water heaters are made, or check our breakdown of Rheem water heaters for a comparison against the other major water heater manufacturing family.
Since State and AO Smith come from the same factories, the smartest comparison for most buyers is actually State against Rheem sister brands like Richmond, since those represent genuinely different manufacturing lineages.
Is State Water Heaters Really Good
State delivers solid value for buyers who want AO Smith level manufacturing quality without paying full price for the flagship brand name, making it a smart pick for budget conscious homeowners working with a plumbing contractor.
The main tradeoff is shorter standard warranty terms on base models compared to the AO Smith flagship line, so buyers who want maximum coverage should compare warranty length carefully before choosing between the two sister brands.
Frequently Asked Questions About State Water Heaters
Is State owned by AO Smith
Yes, AO Smith Corporation acquired State Industries in 2001, and State now operates as a sister brand manufactured largely at the same Ashland City, Tennessee facility.
Are State water heaters the same quality as AO Smith
State water heaters generally share very similar tank construction and components with AO Smith, with the main differences being feature sets and warranty length rather than fundamental build quality.
Where can you buy State water heaters
State water heaters are sold primarily through plumbing wholesalers and contractors rather than through major national home improvement retail chains.
Is State a good water heater brand
Yes, State is generally regarded as a reliable, workhorse water heater brand that offers comparable performance to AO Smith at a lower price point.
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.