Water heater out... replacement cost?

[Neilk]

Hi everyone,

I just got a call from a friend who is keeping our house while we are on vacation. The water heater apparently isn't working. It's not a big deal since we are coming back on Sunday and the water in Dallas is already pretty warm in summer, however I am worried about getting gouged.

So basically, what is the going rate for a new gas water heater for a house with 2.5 baths? Tankless isn't in the budget right now. Anything to look at in modern water heaters?

Thanks Pelican braintrust!

[craigster59]

should be no more than $500 installed, but it's very much a DIY job.

[Moneyguy1]

$800 to $1,000 installed. Some "installers" will try to convince you that all the piping coming into the heater (both water and gas) will have to be replaced. In many locales, professional installation requires a permit. D-I-Y-: Well.....what the inspector don't know...(as long as you are competent to do it or have a friend that is)

[Dueller]

ooops.

[Dueller]

electric or gas? If electric and the thing isn't leaking in the tank you're looking at maybe $50 DIY to replace the elements.

If its gas is it possible the pilot light just blew out? I would say $500 installed would be reasonable for either gas or electric.

If it is shot and if it is gas and it is in the garage and if it IS NOT elevated, nows a good time to do that which will add an extra $200 or so to the replacement.

[Dantilla]

I get electric water heaters for less than $200. Parts to fix are widely available.

If it is leaking, it's time for a new one.

If it's not leaking, you should be able to swap whatever part went bad fairly quickly.

[Rick Lee]

Two weeks ago I noticed a neighbor with the exact same place as mine having her hot water heater replaced. I went down and talked with the installers. They said she was paying them $1400. It ran me $500 in my last place. So I called another plumber and he just told me how to drain the heater and to do it once a year to get all the mineral deposits out before they clog things up. I did it and pulled a sample of what came out as soon as I opened her up. It looked like mud. Five min. later it was clear.

[azasadny]

Also, don't turn the temperature setting to the hottest, set it in the middle. The higher the setting, the more the tank has to work and the faster the tank will require replacing...

[MBAtarga]

Craigster59's got it. About 4 years ago upgraded to a 50 gallon (electric) from HD. Total was about $450, and included installation and a special pressure equalization tank to bring the system up to code.

[HardDrive]

I paid $750 to get mine replaced....on Christmas day. Yeah, he charged me a bit extra. Its a gas unit.

[75'930cab]

It's $700-$1500 to get it installed around here! The thing is you can do it yourself for under $300.00.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Neil, DIY. Its too easy unless you have a bad back.

[TerryH]

I'm a bargain hunter. First thing I would do is go to craiglist. Find a new or almost new for less than $100. Then install it. Done deal.

I did this exact thing 2 years ago. Home Depot dropped this ladies 50 gal. heater off their truck and then brought her another new one. They didn't even want the dropped one back, so I bought it off her for $75. Dented case doesn't affect the water heater.

Installing a water heater is very simple. Two water lines and a gas line. Hard part will be lifting the old one out. They get heavy with calcium and minerals after time.

[john70t]

For the price of an inspector, it's worth it to know there's not a gas or CO leak. Insurance probably wouldn't cover those issues.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by TerryH

I'm a bargain hunter. First thing I would do is go to craiglist. Find a new or almost new for less than $100.

Terry, You're CHEAP! A USED water heater? I don'think I'd go that far but a dented one? Sure, no prob.

But before you get defensive, I'm cheap too...or just have less money than I'd like.
I just found/bought used (yes, used) Rossignol ski boots off Craigslist myself. The guy bought them mail order, wore them once and found they were too big so he had to rent and was pissed when the mail order company wouldn't let him exchange. He took them to be heat fitted and was told that would likely make them even bigger, that he should have known to buy intentitonally a half size smaller.

So he sold them without having them custom heat fitted - but now I will. They are unmarked and look as new. $479 list, he got them for $349 delivered. I bought them off him for $112.

Now that's a deal.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Two weeks ago I noticed a neighbor with the exact same place as mine having her hot water heater replaced. I went down and talked with the installers. They said she was paying them $1400. It ran me $500 in my last place. So I called another plumber and he just told me how to drain the heater and to do it once a year to get all the mineral deposits out before they clog things up. I did it and pulled a sample of what came out as soon as I opened her up. It looked like mud. Five min. later it was clear.

I took an old length of garden hose and attached it to the water heater. Just leave it there, hooked up and ready to go, it reminds me to drain the water heater everytime I see it. Every six months or so open the drain tap on the unit and it flows down the driveway. Preventative maintenance works wonders.

Like Dantilla, if its electric replace the heating elements in a couple of hours (if its not leaking) and enjoy it for another 4-5 years. Drain to keep it working longer.

[john70t]

I think they also have internal anodized rods(replaceable) which cut down on the rust as well.
Not sure about the schedule for those, but mabye every 10-15 years(?). If the water source is well-water, there might be pre-filters for dirt/rust and the like.

[RoninLB]

my gas heater has a 3' zinc cathodic protector rod that lasts 10yrs around here. I replace it before full dissolved for about $20 from plumbing supply.

electric unit rods may last less due to stray currents. Don't know?


I hear there is new compact super efficient small units around? I think the Europeans use them routinely?

i have to research that.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by RoninLB

I hear there is new compact super efficient small units around? I think the Europeans use them routinely?

i have to research that.

Almost all Europeans have the "instant on" style of small water heater in their bathrooms and under the sinks. Works very well and you never run out of hot water (unless the power stops) and supposed to be cheaper to operate than our style. If I ever build a new house will use this style of hot water heater.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Terry, You're CHEAP! A USED water heater? I don'think I'd go that far but a dented one? Sure, no prob.

snipped...

Ha! Yeah, I'm cheap, but I draw the line at wearing used shoes, hats, and underwear. LOL

When we purchased our house in 1982, we had a very elderly neighbor. Very nice guy, but already close to 80 and lived alone. He purchased a new water heater and I installed it for him in 1989. He passed the following year (no, he didn't die from leaky gas fittings) and we had a new young couple move in next door.

They brought home their first baby in 1992, about when the new dad noticed water dripping onto the burner of his water heater (the one I installed 2 years prior). He asked me about it and I explained humidity, cold water, and condensation, but being a new dad, he was sure it was going to cause death to his new family and convinced himself a new was needed. I installed his new one and replaced my own ancient water heater with his old one.

That used water heater lasted a dozen more years at my house and I only replaced it because I wanted to upgrade in size from 30 to 50 gallons. It was still working just fine.

There are folks (craigslist) that remodel or decide they need a tankless unit and will throw away a perfectly good, sometimes new unit. A water heater that's less than a year old is going to last just as long as a new one.... almost.