Anyone bought a water heater recently?

butwhymalemodels · 03-05-2008, 05:41 AM

This is step one of researching...

Anyone here had to replace a water heater in the last couple of months? Where did you go to find the best prices?

I'm not interested in tankless; won't be staying in the house long enough for it to pay itself off.

Also, it's gas, so what are the pros and cons of doing the switcheroo myself? (obviously one con is loss of life and home, but how easy is the swap)?

Silver Hilton · 03-05-2008, 06:23 AM

I had one done a while back. The water heater replacement wasn't bad, but the outfit doing the job got in, removed the old tank, and then informed me that installing the new tank would require additional work to bring the installation up to current code, which required adding a surge tank. That brought the bill up another $300, and I will never use them again.

If it had been an electric, I'd have done it myself, but gas plumbing spooks me a bit.

roadsend · 03-05-2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Hilton

I had one done a while back. The water heater replacement wasn't bad, but the outfit doing the job got in, removed the old tank, and then informed me that installing the new tank would require additional work to bring the installation up to current code, which required adding a surge tank. That brought the bill up another $300, and I will never use them again.

If it had been an electric, I'd have done it myself, but gas plumbing spooks me a bit.

Surge tank? What is a surge tank?

StickFish · 03-05-2008, 07:16 AM

Home Depot is where I got mine - started at George thought the price was high, it was the same at HD. the kicker is the water heaters are all the same with the exception of the warranty. There is a minor difference in BTU output, but not significant. Went with the 6 year GE - works better than the one we had. Only issue was the flu, had to cut about an inch off the existing vent pipe to get it to work cause new heater was a little taller than the old one. Hot water output dripped a little till the heater came up to temp, than quit, discounted that to expansion due to heating of the metal joint. Took 4 beers and two guys standing around BSing - pretty easy actually

Bucolic buffalo · 03-05-2008, 07:32 AM

A surge tank is used when you are connected to the water system through a cross connection device. The device has check valves in it that prevents water from back flowing into the system in the event of a broken water main. This also prevents the hot water in the tank from expanding and can result in broken pipes. A cheaper way is to put a device in your toilet tank that replaces the float valve and releases pressure if it builds up in the tank. If your local code allows this it is much cheaper.

uhmw · 03-05-2008, 08:08 AM

George moreland pluming their the water heater king.

I called them and they showed up a few hrs later and did just what they said they would do and hauled the old one off. I had both my water heaters go out within 1 month of each other one electric and one gas the gas one was spendy as I recall. I supose if you were trying to save money the electric one was very simple to put in. I dont like to mess with gas lines or having to take it to the dump. I drained mine befor the tec showed up.

Irish Pennant · 03-05-2008, 10:00 AM

Just replace mine about 2 weeks ago. Electric. Home Depot. Did it myself. Very easy to do. Gas has different codes and a bonded, insured pro installer would be the way to go. Check with HD they may have an installer.