State Water Heaters: Our Go-To Tank in Marin & Sonoma
When a tank water heater fails, most of the time we replace it with a State. Here's why, who makes State, which models we install, and what it costs in a Marin or Sonoma home.
Why we reach for State first
We work on every major brand, but when we're choosing the tank, it's usually a State. Three reasons, from what we see on our own jobs:
- They hold up. We get fewer callbacks and failures on the State units we install.
- They're on the shelf. Local supply houses keep State heaters and parts in stock, so a replacement or repair doesn't wait on a shipment.
- The warranty is easy. When something is covered, State's warranty support is straightforward to work with.
For you that mostly means speed. When your tank is leaking on a Tuesday morning, the heater we can pick up that day beats the one that ships next week.
Who makes State water heaters?
State and A.O. Smith: same parent
- A.O. Smith Corporation bought State Industries in December 2001. A.O. Smith is based in Milwaukee and trades on the NYSE as AOS.
- State is based in Ashland City, Tennessee, where it has built water heaters since 1946, and has seven water heater manufacturing plants.
- The A.O. Smith family also includes Lochinvar, which makes boilers and water heaters.
So what's the difference?
- Where you buy it. State says its heaters are "available through your local plumbing professional." A.O. Smith's Signature Series is sold exclusively at Lowe's.
- Who installs it. A State comes from the supply house with the plumber who installs it, so the permit, gas and seismic work are part of the same job.
- Shopping brands? We also install Bradford White regularly.
The State models we install
State lists hundreds of models. For homes in Marin and Sonoma, it comes down to a few families.
State Select
State's economy line. A straightforward gas tank for a like-for-like swap, and the one you'll see in our photo above.
ProLine
Standard to high-efficiency tanks in many sizes and vent types, with 6 to 10 year limited warranties depending on the model.
ProLine XE
Higher-efficiency gas tanks, up to 96% thermal efficiency, including low-NOx power vent and power direct vent models for homes without a usable flue.
Premier hybrid heat pump
Electric heat pump tanks from 40 to 80 gallons. Premier MAX models are rated up to 3.88 UEF with a 10-year limited warranty, and Premier AL adds leak detection.
Premier 120V plug-in
Heat pump models (50, 66 and 80 gallons) that run on a standard 120V outlet, often the answer when a 100 amp panel has no room for a 240V circuit.
Polaris
High-input condensing gas water heaters (100,000–175,000 BTU) with a 10-year limited warranty, for large homes with heavy hot water demand.
Comparing tank, tankless and heat pump? Start with our water heaters overview, or go straight to tank, tankless or heat pump water heaters.
Tank leaking or out of hot water? Call or book today.
Repair or replace your State?
Usually worth repairing
Our published repair ranges:
- Pilot won't stay lit: thermocouple, $280–$350
- Pilot assembly, $300–$425
- Gas valve, $450–$680
- Leaking drain valve, $280–$420
Because supply houses stock State parts, many of these are one-visit fixes.
Time to replace
- Water leaking from the tank itself. A tank can't be patched.
- Rusty hot water or heavy rumbling on an older tank
- Repeat repairs on a heater past 8–10 years old
- You want to plan a heat pump switch before the old tank fails
State water heater pricing
What changes the price: standard vs. power vent, tank size, where the heater sits, flue or vent changes, gas line size, a new circuit (or a 120V model) for a heat pump, code upgrades like strapping, a drain pan and an expansion tank, and permit type. 2026 pricing. Every home is different. Free estimate.
$150 off new water heater installations.*Terms apply. Must notify Local Plumbing at time of booking. Includes water heaters, tankless water heaters and heat pump water heaters. Valid for a select time only. See current offers.
A State call from our files
No hot water from a State tank
The cause was a failed thermocouple. We replaced it and cleaned the burner assembly, and the tank was back in service without a replacement.
Gas, heat pump and the Air District rule
Where the rule stands (October 2026)
- Under the current Rule 9-6, new gas tanks under 75,000 BTU/hr made after January 1, 2027 must be zero-NOx.
- Proposed change: draft amendments published in early October would delay that requirement (July's version pointed to January 2028) and carve out exemptions for situations like tight spaces and small electrical panels. Air District Board vote: November 4, 2026.
- Your existing gas heater can stay and be repaired. Full details: 2027 gas water heater rule.
If you're ready for a heat pump
- State's 120V plug-in Premier models can avoid a panel upgrade in many older homes.
- MCE customers in single-family homes they've owned and lived in for 12+ months can get up to $675.
- Local Plumbing is an MCE participating contractor and handles the rebate application.
- Seismic straps, expansion tanks and permits work the same as any tank. See our tank water heater page.
State water heater FAQ
Is State the same as A.O. Smith?
Same parent company, different brand. A.O. Smith has owned State since 2001. State is sold through plumbing professionals; A.O. Smith's Signature Series is sold at Lowe's.
Where are State water heaters made?
State is based in Ashland City, Tennessee, and has seven water heater manufacturing plants.
Why does Local Plumbing prefer State?
We see fewer callbacks on the State units we install, local supply houses stock them and their parts, and warranty claims are straightforward.
How long is the State warranty?
It depends on the model: many residential tanks carry 6 to 10 year limited warranties, and Premier MAX heat pumps carry 10 years. We'll show you the exact terms for the model we quote.
Can you replace my water heater with a State the same day?
Often, yes. That's one of the main reasons we use State. It depends on the size and vent type you need and that day's schedule.
Does State make a heat pump water heater?
Yes. The Premier hybrid heat pump line runs from 40 to 80 gallons, including 120V plug-in models for homes with limited panel space.
Do you repair State water heaters you didn't install?
Yes. We repair State, A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Rheem and other brands, whoever installed them.
Book a State install or repair
Serving San Rafael, Mill Valley, Novato, Larkspur, Corte Madera, San Anselmo, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Sonoma and the rest of Marin and Sonoma.
- State is our preferred tank brand
- Written price before any work starts
- Permits handled; seismic strapping and haul-away included
- Heat pump planning and MCE rebate paperwork
Call, text, or book online for a free State water heater estimate.
