water heater replacement

[billconner]

BIL electric water heater failed and helping replace. A O Smith or Rheem OK? besides same height, I suggested glass lined, brass drain valve, and 10 year warranty as features to look for. Other suggestions? I also suggested plumbing supply places rather than big box but not sure it matters that much. Thanks.

 

[shade]

Tankless.

 

[larry4406]

I have a Rheem Hybrid Heat Pump 80 gallon. Been installed little over a year now. No complaints. Based on past electrical use, we are saving around $50 per month. Family of 4.

Our house is all electric with heat pump Hvac.

The water heater is in our basement and it dehumidifies the space (and yes cools it down, which the heat pump hvac then has to heat in the winter). Still we save $$ each month.

Due to the federal energy guidelines, you will be limited on max capacity unless you go heat pump.

 

[Jim greengo]

I've been a fan of state water heaters for years,but the prices have gone through the roof lately.
Priced a 50g gas a couple weeks ago,my cost was $730.00 without tax through ferguson,I was paying just over $500.00 less than a year ago.

 

[topcok88]

Check out the thread in my signature. I used a Rheem Marathon (nothing to rust and life time warranty) and I use SupplyHouse.com for both my plumbing and HVAC needs (mini split install coming soon - mini split onsite and being installed tomorrow).

 

[American Locomotive]

If you live in an area with electricity over ~$0.15/kwh (anywhere in the North East, California, etc..), I highly recommend getting a hybrid hot water heater.

 

[Showkey]

Tankless.

Not all its crack up to be………been discussed 50 times in prior threads.

Could increase price 3-10 times . Three 240v circuits needed, all new wiring, maybe new service.
Long wait for HOT water at distant faucet.
Limited gallons per minute.
Much higher maintenance ……..depends on water quality. Clean out every 6 months.
More parts, more failure points, more sensors. Tank heater is simple.
Family situation could see no energy savings and actually an increase in water a sewer.

 

[billconner]

Thanks for the comments. In the end we replaced both water heaters - two family house. Both 11+ years old. Only one leaked but when we drained other it was full of sediment and probably was near it's end, plus they wanted a larger one. Two A O Smiths. Under $900 plus they bought lunch. No real surprises except how long it took to drain to the old tanks. I think I could install 10 in time it took to drain 1. No floor drain so used an inexpensive drill op pump through a window. Died near end of second, which we (well, actually, son in law) were able to lift and bucket brigade.

I may look for a good pump for next one.

 

[Git]

Not all its crack up to be………been discussed 50 times in prior threads.

Could increase price 3-10 times . Three 240v circuits needed, all new wiring, maybe new service.
Long wait for HOT water at distant faucet.
Limited gallons per minute.
Much higher maintenance ……..depends on water quality. Clean out every 6 months.
More parts, more failure points, more sensors. Tank heater is simple.
Family situation could see no energy savings and actually an increase in water a sewer.

• Tankless water heaters in my area have a $800 to $1000 rebate from the Gas Company
• There is also another $300 in Federal Tax credits
• Waiting for hot water can easily be solved with a recirc pump. The more expensive models have them built it or you can use a traditional recirc pump. If you don't have a 'dedicated' recirc loop, the easy fix is to install a 'bridge' to connect the hot and cold water lines at your furthest sink
• Depending on your location, a tankless can provide up to 11 gpm
• Maintenance is usually a yearly flush. You connect a couple of hoses up to pump in a 5 gallon bucket and run a solution through the heat exchanger to descale it
• Some tankless water heaters have a 25 year warranty on the heat exchanger
• Why heat a tank of water up 24/7 versus on demand

This Noritz comes with the 25 year warranty, the water connections are on the top for an easier install, and it is sold as a kit - which includes 25' of vent and everything you should need. After rebates, should be around $1000. Why wrestle around with a 200lb water heater and reclaim some space in your garage/where your water heater is now.

I have been on the fence on what to buy, but at this point, I am pretty sure I am going to go with this Noritz or a Rinnai

NORITZ EZTR75 11.1 GPM 75 Gal. Tank Replacement High Efficiency Indoor Residential Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Kit EGQ-C3260WX-FF US NG - The Home Depot

A major benefit for contractors looking to further streamline the tankless-for-tank replacement job is the availability of each EZ model in a bundle package for indoor installation. Each combo package

www.homedepot.com

 

[Showkey]

The OP is on electric so the following does not apply:

Why not tankless:
I have 50 gallon gas Nat GAS water heater witha gravity recirc system.
I have instant hot water at each faucet even in ranch home that’s 75’ long with baths at both ends.
I pay about $8.00 per month for hot water.
The stand by costs heated water is insignificant. No to mention the basement install the heat is not lost.
Midwest home with 2000sqft + basement the heater foot print is also insignificant.
That water heater is simple cost $800 comes with 7 year warranty, has absolutely no maintenance cost, the exhaust fan is the only moving part.


So tankless has no ROI that makes any sense in any form in my case. The OP would have make their own calculations. Electric heater will have different numbers same is said for operating cost electric tankless $$$.

That does not count any cost to upgrade the gas pipe for 250,000 btu tankless install in my case.

I also have well water with softener and neutralizer others in my immediate area have not faired well with the yearly cleaning. Heat exchanger clogging is the issue. They are 6 months intervals, a few not DIY guys so they are paying a plumber service call.

I have a tankless electric in vacation home condo in FLorida. The long wait for hot water seems trivial until your waiting to hot water. The condo is not getting a recirc pump with out a major remodel. The master bedroom is a considerable distance from the heater. Gas is not available. We live with it …….because its a vacation home. The tankless small foot print is the advantage in the condo. Add another heater is not reasonable as the breaker box is 18“ for the current heater. As they did not want to run 3 240v circuits the distance to the master. Even the dishwasher has to heat the water with tankless because of the distance.


The OP adding 3 240v circuits installed would likely be a deal breaker on that cost alone. That would obviously vary in the distances involved.

 

[billconner]

Does an electric tankless really work for a family of four with two bathrooms, and had their 40 gallon tank set to 140 to get enough hot water for showers? Replaced that with a 50 gallon for $450. Two showers and a washer or dish washer, in an area where the town water is pretty cold in winter. I didn't see many 10+ GPM heaters, none electric, and in the multi thousand dollar range.

 

[shade]

• Tankless water heaters in my area have a $800 to $1000 rebate from the Gas Company
• There is also another $300 in Federal Tax credits
• Waiting for hot water can easily be solved with a recirc pump. The more expensive models have them built it or you can use a traditional recirc pump. If you don't have a 'dedicated' recirc loop, the easy fix is to install a 'bridge' to connect the hot and cold water lines at your furthest sink
• Depending on your location, a tankless can provide up to 11 gpm
• Maintenance is usually a yearly flush. You connect a couple of hoses up to pump in a 5 gallon bucket and run a solution through the heat exchanger to descale it
• Some tankless water heaters have a 25 year warranty on the heat exchanger
• Why heat a tank of water up 24/7 versus on demand

This Noritz comes with the 25 year warranty, the water connections are on the top for an easier install, and it is sold as a kit - which includes 25' of vent and everything you should need. After rebates, should be around $1000. Why wrestle around with a 200lb water heater and reclaim some space in your garage/where your water heater is now.

I have been on the fence on what to buy, but at this point, I am pretty sure I am going to go with this Noritz or a Rinnai

NORITZ EZTR75 11.1 GPM 75 Gal. Tank Replacement High Efficiency Indoor Residential Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater Kit EGQ-C3260WX-FF US NG - The Home Depot

A major benefit for contractors looking to further streamline the tankless-for-tank replacement job is the availability of each EZ model in a bundle package for indoor installation. Each combo package

www.homedepot.com

Go Rinnai.
Awesome units.
All the BS about taking forever to heat is just that BS.
Installed our 5 months ago. Best thing ever

 

[billconner]

Converting to gas when at least some cities in this country are banning new gas hook-ups seems like a tough sell.

 

[Sumboodie]

Check out the thread in my signature. I used a Rheem Marathon (nothing to rust and life time warranty) and I use SupplyHouse.com for both my plumbing and HVAC needs (mini split install coming soon - mini split onsite and being installed tomorrow).

I almost ordered from them, but the 4-6 week ship time and $400 shipping made me go with a plumber.

I have an indirect water heater, so not something the box stores carry.

Would have saved maybe $300 to DIY, but I wasn't excited about no hot water for at least a month.

Oh, local? Wanted $1900-2200 for the water heater. I paid I think $1800 installed.

 

[Sumboodie]

The OP is on electric so the following does not apply:

Why not tankless:
I have 50 gallon gas Nat GAS water heater witha gravity recirc system.
I have instant hot water at each faucet even in ranch home that’s 75’ long with baths at both ends.
I pay about $8.00 per month for hot water.
The stand by costs heated water is insignificant. No to mention the basement install the heat is not lost.
Midwest home with 2000sqft + basement the heater foot print is also insignificant.
That water heater is simple cost $800 comes with 7 year warranty, has absolutely no maintenance cost, the exhaust fan is the only moving part.


So tankless has no ROI that makes any sense in any form in my case. The OP would have make their own calculations. Electric heater will have different numbers same is said for operating cost electric tankless $$$.

That does not count any cost to upgrade the gas pipe for 250,000 btu tankless install in my case.

I also have well water with softener and neutralizer others in my immediate area have not faired well with the yearly cleaning. Heat exchanger clogging is the issue. They are 6 months intervals, a few not DIY guys so they are paying a plumber service call.

I have a tankless electric in vacation home condo in FLorida. The long wait for hot water seems trivial until your waiting to hot water. The condo is not getting a recirc pump with out a major remodel. The master bedroom is a considerable distance from the heater. Gas is not available. We live with it …….because its a vacation home. The tankless small foot print is the advantage in the condo. Add another heater is not reasonable as the breaker box is 18“ for the current heater. As they did not want to run 3 240v circuits the distance to the master. Even the dishwasher has to heat the water with tankless because of the distance.


The OP adding 3 240v circuits installed would likely be a deal breaker on that cost alone. That would obviously vary in the distances involved.

I came to the same conclusions.

The tankless last on average 7-10 years with the water here.

For new construction not too bad, but retrofitting, having to upsize gas or electric service is a deal breaker for most installs.

 

[nh_yota]

Does an electric tankless really work for a family of four with two bathrooms, and had their 40 gallon tank set to 140 to get enough hot water for showers? Replaced that with a 50 gallon for $450. Two showers and a washer or dish washer, in an area where the town water is pretty cold in winter. I didn't see many 10+ GPM heaters, none electric, and in the multi thousand dollar range.

Electric tankless heaters are a waste of money because they take a lot of juice to get the same BTUs that you can easily get from gas.

 

[Worsedog]

Just to pitch some more wood on the tank/tankless debate, consider this. In my garage 3/4 bath that is not used daily, I replaced the 30 gal tank with a tankless one for several reasons.

1. It was in the attic, the tankless weighed about 6 lbs., the tank about 60.
2. To save money, I left the old one off most of the time, now that was a wait to get hot water.
3. If I want hot water, I want it now, not in an hour or so.

One thing I did do was upsize one step to make the installation easier. The one specified required a 50A circuit and I only had a thirty for the old one. The next size up required two 30A circuits and it was much easier to pull an additional 30 than a new 50.

Something else to think about, and this will probably keep me from installing a tankless in the house, is the ability to run the tank type on my 6KW generator. I can minimize the load, run the heater to heat the tank, shut it off, then have enough to run lights, fridges, fans, and the well pump. We can easily get a couple of showers before it get too cold.

 

[like2wheel]

Converting to gas when at least some cities in this country are banning new gas hook-ups seems like a tough sell.

Then do it now, before it's too late