Payless Water Heaters has a longer track record of providing the highest quality water heating installation services to the residents and businesses of both Northern and Southern California. .The Water Heater Company has built a strong reputation as a water-heater-only specialist in the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ventura County markets. Here are some key differences between the two companies.
Comparison of Payless Water Heaters vs. The Water Heater Company
| Feature | Payless Water Heaters | The Water Heater Company |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 35+ years in business | 2018 (7+ years) |
| Ownership | Family-owned by brothers Bryan and Scott Oksas | Co-founded by Anthony Hamilton and Gonzalo Albarellos |
| Installations / Homes Served | 120,000+ installations statewide | 30,000+ homes served since 2018 |
| Google Reviews | 4.8 out of 5, 3,553 reviews | 4.9 out of 5, 3,270+ reviews (Google, Yelp, Angi, Facebook combined) |
| Service Area | Southern California and the Bay Area | LA, Orange, and Ventura counties only |
| Brand Specialization | Authorized Bradford White installer; California’s top-ranked Noritz tankless installer, co-developed the Noritz EZ Series | Factory-authorized for Bradford White, Noritz, Navien, and Rinnai |
| Pricing / Guarantee | Flat-rate pricing, price match guarantee, no after-hours fees | Transparent online pricing, $129 diagnostic fee, $25,000 third-party workmanship guarantee |
Company Background and Experience
Payless Water Heaters
- Founded and owned directly by brothers Bryan and Scott Oksas
- 35+ years of hands-on experience and 120,000+ installations statewide
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars across 3,553 Google reviews
The Water Heater Company
- Founded in 2018 by Anthony Hamilton and Gonzalo Albarellos as a water-heater-only specialist
- 30,000+ homes served, with a team citing 150+ years of combined technician experience
- Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars across 3,270+ reviews spanning Google, Yelp, Angi, and Facebook
Verdict:
Payless brings something a seven-year-old company can’t yet have: 35+ years of the same ownership group personally installing and standing behind more than 120,000 water heaters across the state.
Service Area and Availability
Payless Water Heaters
- Serves Southern California and the Bay Area
- Same-day service and 24/7 emergency availability
- One universal phone number for the entire service area: (833) 856-3341
The Water Heater Company
- Serves Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, plus parts of Santa Barbara County
- Same-day standard tank installs when you call by 2 PM, 7 days a week
- Does not currently serve the Bay Area
Verdict: Within its three-county footprint, TWHC offers genuinely fast, hyper-local service. But if you’re anywhere in the Bay Area, or outside LA/OC/Ventura in Southern California, TWHC isn’t an option at all — Payless’s broader statewide coverage means more homeowners can actually call them.
Pricing and Guarantees
Payless Water Heaters
- Flat-rate pricing quoted upfront — no surprises
- Price match guarantee against competitor bids
- No after-hours fees for evening, weekend, or emergency calls
The Water Heater Company
- Online price builder shows an all-inclusive price before a technician arrives
- Flat $129 diagnostic fee for repair or diagnostic visits
- $25,000 workmanship guarantee backed by a third-party vetting organization, The Good Contractors List
- 0% financing available for 12 months on approved credit
Verdict:
Payless’s approach is simpler: no diagnostic fee to get started, a price match against any competitor’s bid, and no after-hours upcharge if your water heater fails at 2 AM on a Sunday — a real cost difference for homeowners dealing with an emergency outside business hours.
Brand Expertise and Installation Quality
Payless Water Heaters
- Authorized Bradford White installer, backed by a direct manufacturer relationship
- California’s top-ranked Noritz tankless installer for nearly 20 years
- Direct, hands-on involvement in engineering the Noritz EZ Series alongside Noritz’s U.S. and Japanese engineering teams
The Water Heater Company
- Factory-authorized service provider for Bradford White, Noritz, Navien, and Rinnai
- Access to genuine OEM parts and direct manufacturer warranty claim processing
- Additional certifications with HALO and WaterTech for water treatment equipment
Verdict:
Payless’s role in building the Noritz EZ Series reflects a level of technical partnership that goes well beyond an authorized service certification.
Pros and Cons
| Payless Water Heaters | The Water Heater Company |
|---|---|
| + 35+ years in business, 120,000+ installations | + Strong 4.9★ rating across multiple review platforms |
| + Serves both Southern California and the Bay Area | + $25,000 third-party workmanship guarantee |
| + Flat-rate pricing with no diagnostic fee or after-hours upcharge | + Online price builder for upfront cost transparency |
| + Co-developed the Noritz EZ Series directly with the manufacturer | + Factory-authorized for four major brands |
| – Fewer manufacturer authorizations listed (Bradford White, Noritz) | – Doesn’t serve the Bay Area or most of Southern California |
| – No published third-party workmanship guarantee amount | – Newer company (founded 2018) with a smaller service footprint |
Who Each Company Is Best For
- Choose Payless Water Heaters if you live anywhere in Southern California or the Bay Area and want flat-rate pricing, no after-hours fees, and installation from a company with a direct, long-term manufacturer relationship on Bradford White and Noritz systems.
- Choose The Water Heater Company if you live specifically in LA, Orange, or Ventura County and want an online price builder along with a third-party-backed workmanship guarantee.
Our Recommendation: Payless Water Heaters
- 35+ years of direct, hands-on ownership and 120,000+ installations statewide
- Serves both Southern California and the Bay Area, not just three counties
- Authorized Bradford White installer and California’s top-ranked Noritz tankless installer
- Flat-rate pricing, a price match guarantee, and no after-hours fees
Call Payless Water Heaters at (833) 856-3341 for a same-day quote, or ask about our flat-rate pricing and price match guarantee.
