When you’re comparing water heater companies in California, it’s easy to focus on price alone. But the company you choose determines everything else — water heater installation quality, warranty support, and whether the job gets done right the first time. Here’s how Payless Water Heaters compares to Water Heaters Only, Inc.
Comparison of Payless Water Heaters & Water Heaters Only
| Feature | Payless Water Heaters | Water Heaters Only |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Family-owned by brothers Bryan and Scott Oksas | Corporate, multi-branch operation |
| Experience | 35+ years, 120,000+ installations statewide | Since 1968, large multi-market volume |
| Google Reviews | 4.8 out of 5, 3,553 reviews | 4.8 out of 5, 5,850+ reviews (Google and Yelp combined) |
| Service Area | Southern California and the Bay Area | Sacramento, Bay Area, LA, Riverside, Orange County, San Diego, Phoenix AZ |
| Brand Specialization | Authorized Bradford White installer; California’s top-ranked Noritz tankless installer | Carries multiple brands, no manufacturer-level partnership disclosed |
| Pricing | Flat-rate pricing, price match guarantee, no after-hours fees | Meets or beats a written competitor bid; coupon-based discounts |
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
- Ownership stays directly involved in the business, including product development — the Oksas brothers co-developed the Noritz EZ Series with Noritz’s U.S. and Japanese engineering teams
Water Heaters Only
- In business since 1968, with a large service volume across California and Arizona
- Operates as a multi-branch corporate model with offices across several regions
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars across 5,850+ combined Google and Yelp reviews
- Longer overall company history, but no direct manufacturer product-development relationship disclosed
Verdict:
Both companies earn the same 4.8-star rating, which tells you both do right by their customers. Water Heaters Only has more decades in business and a larger review count from a bigger multi-state footprint, but Payless matches that same rating with a tighter, more concentrated customer base — and adds something a larger operation can’t easily replicate: direct ownership involvement down to co-developing hardware with a major manufacturer.
Service Area and Availability
Payless Water Heaters
- Focused specifically on Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego as well as the Bay Area, including Berkeley and Palo Alto
- Same-day service and 24/7 emergency availability
- One universal phone number for the entire service area: (833) 856-3341
Water Heaters Only
- Broader geographic footprint, including Sacramento, Riverside, and Phoenix, AZ
- 24/7/365 phone availability
- Different local phone numbers by region rather than one universal number
Verdict:
Payless’s tighter focus on Southern California and the Bay Area means deeper local expertise in exactly the markets it serves.
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
Water Heaters Only
- Will meet or beat a written competitor bid, which requires you to already have a competing quote in hand
- Discount coupons available for installation, replacement, and repair
- Financing available through a third-party provider
Verdict:
Both companies compete aggressively on price, but Payless’s guarantee doesn’t require you to shop around first to get it — the flat rate and price match are built in from the first call, with no after-hours upcharges to worry about.
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 involvement in engineering the Noritz EZ Series specifically for easier, more reliable tank-to-tankless conversions
Water Heaters Only
- Carries a wide range of brands, including Rheem, A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Navien, Rinnai, and Noritz
- Broad brand selection, but no manufacturer-level specialization or product co-development disclosed
Verdict:
Carrying more brands isn’t the same as having deep manufacturer-level expertise in any one of them. Payless’s authorized Bradford White status and top-ranked Noritz partnership mean a level of product knowledge and manufacturer support that a general multi-brand installer doesn’t have.
Who Each Company Is Best For
- Choose Payless Water Heaters if you live in Southern California or the Bay Area and want flat-rate pricing, a price match guarantee, and installation from a company with a direct manufacturer relationship on Bradford White and Noritz systems.
- Choose Water Heaters Only if you live outside Payless’s service area — such as Sacramento or Phoenix — or want to shop competing bids against a meet-or-beat guarantee.
Our Recommendation: Payless Water Heaters
- Direct, hands-on ownership with 35+ years of experience and 120,000+ installations
- A matching 4.8-star rating earned across a more concentrated, local customer base
- Authorized Bradford White installer and California’s top-ranked Noritz tankless installer
- Flat-rate pricing and a price match guarantee with no after-hours fees, no competing bid required
- Deep local focus on Southern California and the Bay Area rather than spread across multiple states
Call Payless Water Heaters at (833) 856-3341 for a same-day quote, or ask about our flat-rate pricing and price match guarantee.
