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August 22, 2010 at 1:28 am #596056
helihuParticipantOur water heater is reaching the end of its life and we need a new one. We also need a plumber to install it. It sounds like it would make most sense to buy the heater through the plumber, but it could be two people/places. Any feedback on either?
TIA!
Hannah
August 22, 2010 at 3:26 pm #702044
CarsonParticipantHannah,
Joetheplumber.com
You might want to consider tankless if it fits your family needs. Its smaller, more efficient, and you can get a rebate. But the upfront cost is about double. I installed one and we love it.
One final note, whoever you choose. Do it before your old one breaks. Not all plumbers are as upfront and honest as others. Once yours breaks, and often it starts with a leak, they know they have you over a barrel and it becomes an emergency install as opposed to just routine and you will probably pay a lot more.
August 22, 2010 at 5:20 pm #702045
wsgolferMemberCarson, I think you meant http://joetheplumberseattle.com/, right? His name is Joe Cannon, number 206-285-2434 or jcanon87@hotmail.com
Hannah, Joe is recommended pretty frequently in these forums. I’ve had him do some work on our house, and would highly recommend him as well.
August 23, 2010 at 1:57 am #702046
FranciParticipantAnother endorsement for the tankless water heater. I installed one about 5 years ago – couldn’t be happier.
August 23, 2010 at 2:09 am #702047
KeithMemberTim Sweeney replaced our hot water tank (we purchased through him) and also did a total re-pipe. Great work on both jobs! 206 551-6465. He’s a WSB sponsor, too — which is how we found him, right here. :)
August 23, 2010 at 4:37 pm #702048
helihuParticipantThank you! I’ll call both of these guys and see what they say.
August 23, 2010 at 7:03 pm #702049
kellymParticipantI’ve been considering a tankless heater…those who have could you give me an idea of cost for the heater and the install? Thanks
August 23, 2010 at 7:07 pm #702050
CarsonParticipantKelly,
I actually did it myself but did call around for quotes. They all seemed to run in the $2200 to $2500 price range. I paid Dave from Streamline Gas to run the gas line for me (I had electric before), the Tankless heater and all the accessories (external venting, valves, etc) ran me about $1100. We also got a rebate, think it was $150 at the time?
August 24, 2010 at 3:34 am #702051
RAKParticipantYou might want to run some numbers to see if the tankless route makes economic sense. If you use a lot of hot water, like with a big family, it likely would. But, with one to three people it might not.
I live alone and thus don’t use a lot of water. I explored the tankless route and the installation and purchase cost didn’t pan out.
Installing a water heater is quite easy as a DIY project. Just some wires and two water fixtures.(Turn off the electricity to it!) A water heater can be had for $250-$350 at Home Depot, truck rental for about $20 to bring it home and dispose of the old one at the transfer station. Just buy the minimum warranty unit. The water heaters are exactly the same. Only the warranty is different. (This advise from a professional. Wish I had it before I bought mine). General recommendation is to replace your water heater every ten years. And, it is recommended to turn down the temp setting to maybe 120 to save energy. That is plenty hot for me.
Also; Are you sure you need a 50 gallon one? I could get by on a thirty, but bought a forty just because if I had to sell, a thirty would look weird.
August 24, 2010 at 4:33 pm #702052
ghar72ParticipantWe used Bob Sweeney with AAA water heaters. He’s actually from the eastside, but came recommended from Paul at Stalwart Plumbing. We had it all scheduled with Paul to replace our water heater at the same time as a replumb, but of course the heater went two weeks early. Paul couldn’t reschedule so he recommended Bob. He was amazing! Came on the Sunday over Tgiving weekend, didn’t charge for holiday or Sunday hours. Our old one was about 20 years old so the job was much more complicated than expected. He worked at least 4 hours on the job and only charged us for 2 at regular rate. Total for a 50 gal tank w/ 2 extra hrs work, w/ 6 year warranty was $820 (including tax). Felt really good about the entire deal and process. I have a couple numbers and not sure if it’s his business or he just works for them. I had the impression it was his business. Either way…Eastside 425.455.0895 (he was from Bellevue I think) and Seattle 206.417.9523. He grew up in West Seattle and I think his parents still live here. Maybe his brother too.
Good luck!
August 24, 2010 at 4:47 pm #702053
CarsonParticipantRAK,
You missed part of the savings of a Tankless. If its just you, it will actually save you more money, when you don’t use hot water it uses zero energy. If you have kids and use lots of hot water they say the tankless will actually cost you more to run, not less. Plus, if teenagers have endless hot water, guess what? Endless showers. Another bonus is it takes up about 1/4 the space of a conventional water heater. It is a much larger upfront cost, no matter how you do it, but we will never go back to conventional.
August 27, 2010 at 7:47 pm #702054
helihuParticipantWe have a shiny new water heater, and hot water. Tim Sweeney did the work and was wonderful to work with. He answered all of my questions about the heater and our other random plumbing issues. He and his helper had everything done, from inital visit to cleanup, in two hours.
We went with a tanked heater because we anticipate switching to gas before the end of the new water heater’s life and didn’t want the extra up-front cost of a tankless.
Thanks again for your recommendations and advice!
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