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I don't have an answer for you but I have had a lot of grief with AO Smith which I was told is a quality brand.  I would be interested to hear what other folks recommmend.

11:12 AM 02/18/2013 | 0 Votes

First off, you may want to consider a different scheme of making hot water for your building. I can honestly say that if you have 3 actual families with children and washing machines your current system is not sufficient. Installing another 50 may be inadequate as well. Think about an indirect hot water tank coupled to your boiler. At a bare minimum if you do install another hot water heater make sure your installer explains how he/she intends to properly twin the two together with a manifold. At least that will make them think about it and also show them you are no fool.
 
As for brands, Bradford White, State, AO Smith, they are all ok. If you do go for a Indirect Tank, Viessmann, Triangle Tube and Buderus are the best. One thing to be aware of is that in your house, due to the size it is considered Commercial usage by most manufacturers so that changes their warranty. Read the fine print and good luck!
 
-SM

11:44 AM 02/18/2013 | 1 Votes

Just FYI, some brands (GE certainly) do not honor warranties when installed in larger building than single family.

12:56 PM 02/18/2013 | 0 Votes

I'd also love to hear specific recommendations. Those of us with forced air heat can't couple it to a boiler.

2:56 PM 02/18/2013 | 0 Votes

PSmom, I gave some recs. I put an AO Smith in my mother's 2 family house. Did you have a question I didn't answer in my initial response? I'm happy to answer. Fire away!
-S.

3:10 PM 02/18/2013 | 0 Votes

I am sorry to presume you don't know this already, but just in case.... the solution you are recommending could work, but it's not a simple question of hooking up a second water heater.  There are plumbing and (more importantly) venting issues that will have to be addressed to make this work. 
Good luck!

1:29 PM 02/19/2013 | 0 Votes

just so you know, we live in a three family house and currently nine of us living there with two washing machines and one dishwasher and two 50's is plenty of hot water for us. we used to have a 40 and I would not be able to shower depending on when I woke up. we of course had plumber install and sorry no idea of the brand.

2:28 PM 02/19/2013 | 0 Votes

Essentially you want a model with a high recovery rate versus a larger tank. That will put you on par with the system slopegirl most likely has.

2:45 PM 02/19/2013 | 0 Votes