Need recommendation for replacment of a hot water heater

[Southeast Overland]

My hot water heater leaked recently (last day or so) around the temp/pressure relief valve. There is about 0.25 to 0.5 inches of water in the catch pan. You can see where dirty water ran down from the temp/press relief valve to the pan. Heater is about 15 years old so it might be time for a replacement. The tank is not currently leaking. I'm going to turn the temp down a bit to try and cull the pressure a little.

I'm going to stop by Lowes and price some models this afternoon.

Do any UC'rs know how to replace a hot water heater and would be able to lend a hand in the next week or so? From what I've read and from what I understand about hot water heaters it is not a complicated job, but I've never done one before so would prefer some oversight.

 

[Trollhole]

If it's coming out the pressure relief valve it's most likey just a faulty valve. I'd just replace it and see if that fixes it. That being said a stuck thermostat could also cause that.

If it's eletric that's about it's life span. If it's gas it should have some time left.

Rhem makes a good unit.

 

[Southeast Overland]

If it's coming out the pressure relief valve it's most likey just a faulty valve. I'd just replace it and see if that fixes it. That being said a stuck thermostat could also cause that.

If it's eletric that's about it's life span. If it's gas it should have some time left.

Rhem makes a good unit.

It's gas.

The leak is coming from around the valve - not from the valve itself as if pressure was building up and the valve was opening. Does that make sense?

I'm stopping by Lowes to price units this afternoon. We are probably moving next year so I don't want to dump a ton of money into a heater but I still want something decent that won't hurt resell value.

Thanks.

 

[proinv]

Consider a tankless water heater, Rinnai. Go to foreverhotwater.com

Unbelievable savings.

Unless you are selling in a year (just read your second post while I was sending my first). A tankless system may help resell though.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Consider a tankless water heater, Rinnai. Go to foreverhotwater.com

Unbelievable savings.

Unless you are selling in a year (just read your second post while I was sending my first). A tankless system may help resell though.

I'll price the difference in the two units today.

I have a neighbor who will help oversee the install but he is recuperating from a broken neck (still in a brace) so he can't lift anything so if someone is available to help with some muscle Monday or Tuesday that would be great.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Lowes has a 50 gal Whirlpool nat gas unit for $458. Instal kit is $48. Tankless equivalent is more than $1300. I'm gonna try to see what Home Depot has has to offer later today. Also need to track down cost for just the valve itself but the tank has some good corrosion around the valve where it is leaking which concerns me a bit.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Leaning towards a tankless now after a little research. A conventional tank will cost me about $625 or so. A tankless will cost me about $1200 for a difference of around $600. There is a $2500 tax rebate on tankless water heaters wight now which will net around $600, which is the difference between the tank and tankless. So, after taxes are files and rebates back it will cost me the same for a tank or tankless.

Looking to go pick up a tankless heater with my neighbor in the morning. He is going to show me the one he installed in his house and another neighbor's house. Hopefully it will be up and running tomorrow night sometime.

 

[informationjunky]

Check your water pressure. Mine started leaking because my regulator quit.

Forgot, if you can't braze or stink at it like me, they make sharkbite connectors which work great.

 

[dbenke]

I agree w/ Dave and John.
Get a tankless and use sharkbites (or equivilent). Should be a piece of cake. I've gone to using all PEX tubing.
It's quick and easy if you have the crimpers.

By the way, HOT water doesn't need heating.
We just call it a water heater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL

 

[BELMONT148]

I just bought a new house in Columbia and I plan to replace my water heater in June. I have a low-boy electric unit under the house, and I am not inpressed with the size, location, and fuel type. I am going with a tankless natural gas unit as the heater is already natural gas and the stove will eventually be run on NG as well.

The rebate that I saw from the gov't covers 30% of the total cost as long as it has an EE rating of .82 or less, and will pay out up to $1500. The unit I am looking at for a 3 bathroom house costs $1200 and I will be installing it myself. That comes out to a $360 rebate. Plus SCE&G is going to give me $300 for going from an electric unit to a gas. So an installed tankless system will run me about $600 installed.

Good luck,
Jeremy

 

[proinv]

Rinnai

I am the Rinnai dealer/installer in my area. If any of you want one of these I can get you a good price. Which ever unit you buy, make sure you get the pipe kit manifold and a pipe cover for protection from the elements.

 

[Trollhole]

Also those who have existing water heaters that are 10 yrs or older. You can lengthen the life of your hot water heater by replacing the anodes. They look like two pipe plugs on the top of you water heater. Usually when a water heater tank rusts out is because the anodes have worn away.

They are usually cheap also. Around 10 dollars each.

 

[Trollhole]

I am the Rinnai dealer/installer in my area. If any of you want one of these I can get you a good price. Which ever unit you buy, make sure you get the pipe kit manifold and a pipe cover for protection from the elements.

Good to know. I'm going to need one in a few years.

 

[Brock]

I am the Rinnai dealer/installer in my area. If any of you want one of these I can get you a good price. Which ever unit you buy, make sure you get the pipe kit manifold and a pipe cover for protection from the elements.

Dave, you been holding out? no natural gas in my neighborhood but thought about a big tank for running one of these and a fireplace insert.....talk to me. LOL

 

[BBQ BOY]

I have a Rinnai and love it. Have had it for about 4 years and never running out of hot water is great. I could take a 5 hour hot shower and it will not skip a beat. My electric bill went down after I put it in. It has already paid for itself but the initial cost is far more great than a regular hot water heater. Before long you will not even be able to buy a regular hot water heater. Plus you already have the gas. Big plus.

 

[proinv]

I have a Rinnai and love it. Have had it for about 4 years and never running out of hot water is great. I could take a 5 hour hot shower and it will not skip a beat. My electric bill went down after I put it in. It has already paid for itself but the initial cost is far more great than a regular hot water heater. Before long you will not even be able to buy a regular hot water heater. Plus you already have the gas. Big plus.

Keep your 5 hour showers and "not skipping a beat" to yourself please.

 

[proinv]

Dave, you been holding out? no natural gas in my neighborhood but thought about a big tank for running one of these and a fireplace insert.....talk to me. LOL

You want me to call or wait until Glen's roast?

 

[Southeast Overland]

A BIG thanks to David. My Rinnai tankless (hot) water heater will be in route to me tomorrow!!!

 

[Brock]

Glenns oyster fiasco

 

[informationjunky]

I am the Rinnai dealer/installer in my area. If any of you want one of these I can get you a good price. Which ever unit you buy, make sure you get the pipe kit manifold and a pipe cover for protection from the elements.

My gas water heater is in our upstairs hall closet, can a tankless be put in its location? its vented throught the attic. Would I need power for a gas one? As you can tell I know nothing about tankless.