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Water Heater Needs to be replaced, any lessons learned you want to share?







Our water heater (40 gal, gas) sprung a leak on Friday night. Have shut off the water inflow and the pilot light. Have a plumber who will come fix it Monday morning for about $935 for a 6 yr warranty and $1035 for a ten year. That price includes a 4 hour labor fee at $95/hour.


I know nothing about this stuff. If anyone has any suggestions or lessons learned from your own experience with this type of thing or a trustworthy plumber who charges less, I would really appreciate your input.


Thanks!

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I have to replace my 10 year old water heater, too. I got a plumber's/heating co. estimate for a little more than your estimate. I checked them out at Home Depot, and found I could get a better deal... two to three hundred dollars less for the same heater, same labor. They install the new one, and take away the old heater. There's something about getting some kind of permit or something for a gas heater, but HD does that, too. I'd check out Lowe's or Home Depot before committing to your plumber's price.
Robyn Gerrard
Jennifer, Your post was on 1/30... its now 2/5. did no one respond to you?.. I assume at this point, youve taken some action.. If not ... you can call me Saturday at Living Structures Inc, my sustainable remodeling company in JP.. you'll find my office tel on our website.... http://www.livingstructures.net/
I'd be glad to advise


Gregory Caplan
Jennifer,

1)Make sure you find out what the energy efficiency rating is (ie, get the specific model # from the plumber, and google it.) My folks had their water heater go on a holiday and the plumber charged a fortune...and installed a horribly inefficient unit. Google is your friend for both EER's and some pricing information. Sometimes you can even find the

2)Consider a tankless "on demand" unit. They're more durable and serviceable, for starters. They're also more energy efficient since they don't keep water hot all the time, which wastes a lot of energy. They have some trade-offs (for example, there is a slight delay before the water is fully up to temperature, and they have to be installed carefully- right size supply pipes and such), but one wonderful thing: they never run out of hot water. I had one in my old apartment, and loved it.
we just bought a tankless water heater and we love it. it costs twice as much as a regular water heater but it has twice the warranty, saves on gas, and has unlimited hot water. we love ours!!
make sure they take away your old heater too. the guy I hired to replace mine a year ago had dumped the old one under my back porch. I didnt notice untill my home insurance company came out to do an inspection and added a surcharge for it being there.

Get multiple quotes....seems time consuming but I really got screwed by this guy....so itll be worth it.

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