Does a new water heater need a permit? archived

Yes. You can have it replaced, but the contractor has 3-5 days following to pull the permit and schedule the inspection.

They will look for electrical bonding, Exhaust piping size and condition and to be sure the gas pipe has a drip nipple.

Later,
George

So the contractor takes care of the legwork? I'd just pay for it, right?

Well yes.

Most will bill you which includes the cost of the permits and the labor to pull them.

But, if you pay the bill, they forget and keep the cash.

You should pay the full bill only on the receipt of the OK'ed inspection by the Township.

Some will try to foist the permit process back on you. If they do, reduce the price of the job by the cost of the permits and you time to pull them. Then pay half the bill when the job is done, the balance when the Township is happy.

Replacement hotwater heater, 6 year warranty $700-800. 10 year warranty $1,100 to 1,300.

No?

Later,

George

PSE&G will install the same day, handle all the permits, and even let you split payments over 12 months interest free if you like.

We had a rather great experience with them. I have no idea if we mightve saved $100 or $150 going elsewhere, but I know it couldn't have been easier with someone else.

just had ours done with PSEG - went very smooth and am waiting on the permit paperwork.

We did ours thru PSEG some months back but I don't think we got any paper/inspection on it (!)

We used Petro for our new hot water heater (oil furnace - indirect heating system - something like that). I don't recall any permit needed - I did a 6 month payment plan.

News to me about a permit. To me a new water heater is like a repair.

I'm with George - George knows Maplewood

When we replaced our water heater in MW the plumber pulled the permit and deducted $25 from his bill that was to be paid after Mr. Mittermeir's guys inspected the installation. It passed with flying colors btw.

Since most water heater replacements are emergencies MW allows the work to be done and the water heater put in service before a final inspection.

Can anyone recommend one of the four 50 gallon water heaters offered by PSE&G?

http://www.pseg.com/customer/home/install/c3/overview.jsp

we went for the one with the 6 year warranty. we had to get a low-boy.

so far so good...it's been two weeks and we still have hot water!

I've replaced my own water heater a few times, having lived in this house for more than 30 years. I found the 5 year model lasted 5 years, replaced it with the a 10 year model which has lasted about 15 so far. I think I'll stick with the model with the longer warrantee!

I suppose my question is, do I wait till it breaks, or replace it sooner so it's not an emergency? I'll probably wait.. I don't know anyone that replaces water heaters before they break, but I'm thinking about it at least.

So, since I'm capable of replacing it myself, I don't want to hire a plumber, and I don't think the town will issue a permit for a homeowner to replace it himself. Anyone know if that's the case?

Ours hasn't broken (yet) but the hot water just doesn't last and it's way past its 10 year lifetime (I think it's closing in on 18).

We also went with the 50 gal "low boy" and have been very pleased. 3 of us can shower one after the other and the hot water will last (as opposed to the second bather getting cold water previously.)

Our last water heater held up more than 15 years (it was not brand new when we moved in.) 5 years sounds miserably short, baileymac.

Our hot water heater died a few months ago and since the house was covered under a home warranty it was quickly replaced. We did pay a little extra to upgrade to a 50 gallon, however there was no mention of permits by the plumber who did the job and I never imagined one would have been needed. Any thoughts about whether I should do something now?

Anyone skipped the hot water heater and installed an instant hot water system?

I Just put the instant system in the house...you can take 20 showers run all 3 dishwashers and the laundry at the same time with out the thought of a cold drop in site

Baileymac: A homeowner can pull almost any permit as long as it is not for commercial work. I'm 90% sure of that.

MAMC: I'd call the company back and have them pull the permits. It can not hurt, cleans up your record and the codes changed on the size of the exhaust flue. Plus it would be checked for electrical bonding, flue pitch and draw.

Later,
George

ARES,

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the instant system run? I am very interested in installing one when our hot water heater dies.

Thanks.

Crap. They just left. The 50 gallon tank won't fit, apparently. I stayed home from work for nothing, essentially. Now I have to go into work late on Monday because the head plumber is coming to look it over to see my options.

Posted By: ARESyou can take 20 showers run all 3 dishwashers and the laundry

I am curious about this as well, but who takes 20 showers and has 3 dishwashers??? Is it a multi-family house?

Shh,

You must not have a 16-18 year old girl in the house.

Later,
George

rofl

Posted By: jgberkeleyShh,

You must not have a 16-18 year old girl in the house.

Later,
George

Soon enough George!

We replaced ours before it broke. It did have rust on the bottom on the outside - so we knew we were on borrowed time. It was 16+ years old.

the PSEG plumbers came twice - 1st because the reg 50 gallon tank didn't fit - since the codes had changed and we needed a greater pitch and larger hole to vent the gases. So they came the following week with the low boy and it's been fine. The town comes by next week to inspect.

I have two tankless water heaters. One in the basement and one upstairs. Reduced my gas usage for hot water heater by 50 percent. No concerns about leaking tanks. And best of all, you can take a shower and never run out of hot water.

Why is a water heater replacement an emergency? It seems the most urgent need is showers. I'd call it an annoyance to take a cold shower but not an emergency. Or am I forgetting something?

Well, when ours died it was leaking and that was considered an emergency.

Gotcha.