A mounting bracket for mounting a temperature sensor, a gas valve, a power delivery unit, a controller and/or any other suitable object or device to a water heater tank or other appliance. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a polymeric body that has a sensor portion configured to receive a temperature sensor. The sensor portion may have a distal end that extends into and supports the temperature sensor within the water heater tank. The polymeric body may also includes a threaded portion that is configured to threadably engage a threaded spud in a water heater tank such that the distal end of the sensor portion extends into the water tank of the water heater. Various features for increasing the strength and durability of the bracket are also disclosed.