Need to replace hot water heater... archived

http://www.philtheplumber.net/

Phil Masucci came to our rescue in January. We were away on vacation when our water heater needed replacing. He, along with help from a fantastic neighbor of ours who let him in/out, was able to remove and replace with a new one while I sat by the pool!

I don't know what the options are for payment, but he was a real lifesaver for us. Good luck.

Water heaters are not that expensive (I know, it's all relative) so I wouldn't get too hung up on the payment plan, unless money is really tight.

We used Coraggio and they were great. Like many Maplewood homes, our water heater closet was tight and limited our options, but they were able to shoehorn in a higher efficiency and volume model than the one we replaced, while updating all the fixtures.

We used PSEG last month. It was easy to schedule and the installation passed the town inspection with no issues.

deiscane, what make and model did you wind up getting? I'm interested to know the efficiency.

I don't know, MP, but I can try to take a look when I get home. We went from 40 to 50 and we went with a taller, leaner shape.

I woudn't use PSE&G, a few years ago my hot water heater went on me and my regular local plumber could not come until the next day. PSE&G sent one of their sub-contracted plumbers and it did not pass inspection and had to be completely redone, was also quite expensive. I would use The Right One, excellent plumbers.

I had a great experience with PSE&G. They were cheaper than my plumber who gave me the contract discount for the same water heater. They also installed it right away whereas my plumber had to order the parts. It passed inspection and has been running well for the past 4 years. The payment plan was nice. They divided it into 12 equal payments with my regular bill. No interest.

GreenEyedChick said:

I had a great experience with PSE&G. They were cheaper than my plumber who gave me the contract discount for the same water heater. They also installed it right away whereas my plumber had to order the parts. It passed inspection and has been running well for the past 4 years. The payment plan was nice. They divided it into 12 equal payments with my regular bill. No interest.

We also had a great experience with PSE&G. I thought the price was reasonable. If money is tight, PSE&G will work out a payment plan (12 month as GreenEyedChick indicated). We're due for a new one soon and will go with PSE&G. Our water heater is well past 12 years and still going. I like their maintenance free plan which covers the gas furnace, water heater and some appliances in the home. FYI: For us, they send the same guy to maintain the gas furnace & water heater for the past five years and he is NOT a subcontractor but works for PSE&G.

Good to know, I am going to be due for a new one soon too. Just checked the date of the old one, was NOT a few years ago, but in fact 15 years ago. (time flys when you are having fun!) ;-) They have obiously improved.

I'm thinking that our hot water heater will probably be due for replacement in the next 2-3 years. Anyone ever DIY one before? Looks like a pretty straightforward job if you know how to solder.

Whatever you do, whoever installs it, pay the bit extra for high efficiency & high recovery. I really don't know exactly how much extra that was ($100? $150?) -- but we have so much hot water, all the time, anytime, well worth it.

peteglider said:

Whatever you do, whoever installs it, pay the bit extra for high efficiency & high recovery. I really don't know exactly how much extra that was ($100? $150?) -- but we have so much hot water, all the time, anytime, well worth it.

Did this allow you to go with a smaller tank?

Wondering, if money is tight if you could find one through habitat for humanity store, maybe they have new ones that could not be used, home depot donates allot to them

Yes. Installed a new shower with multiple heads and body sprays. Didn't increase gallons, and it's more than sufficient.

Installed by Gateway , MP, who also did the bathroom plumbing / install.

Highly recommend!

We're in the same situation as Moose - water heater leaking, finances tight. Just wondering what is the ballpark figure for a new heater + install?
Thanks!

moose said:

PSE&G will offer this service but there are so many wonderful locals who are plumbers. The issue is that price/quality/efficiency matters. Can any helpful plumbers chime in on this? I also know PSE&G offers payment plan, do any plumbers offer this as well (finances are tight). Heater is leaking now and must be replaced asap.

Moose, call me and we'll see what we can work out. I'll just hold onto your dog and your Stratocaster in the mean time. (:

When we had to get a new furnace, the PSEG repairman recommended that we don't use PSE&G because they are very expensive compared to local plumbers.

here is one way to approach it. Home Depot generally offers 12 months interest free financing on purchases over $300 on their credit card. I don't know if they do hot water heater installation, but you could purchase the heater yourself. then hire a local plumber to do the install. you could then space out the payments on the most expensive part.

One thing I have been told by a couple of plumbers is that the warranty does not have anything to do with how long the hot water heater will actually last. If you have to make a choice to save some money, buy a heater with a shorter warranty. They are all built pretty much the same and all need to be replaced after about 10 to 12 years.

Any licensed plumber should do a good job on this installationbut I would go with any other recommendations above.

alianapaul said:

I have use all week heating( http://allweekheating.com/ ) services for water heater maintenance and installation.

Wow. And you were so satisfied you just had to start an account, and dig up a thread almost a year and a half old to tell us. Impressive.

Consider a visit to Loews. Most water heaters have a 6 year warranty. Loews sells one with 12 year warranty.

Another rec for Right One plumbing, maybe they can work out a payment plan?

Years ago I had mine replaced by PSEG. Their first subcontractor was a disaster; made a mess; knocked my brick platform I had cemented to the floor off to raise the water heater. Broke wood off from my window frame to help level it, or something. When I realized what he did, I had a fit. I also was worried he was going to have a heart attack while doing the work. Like they say always watch your workers. PSEG did send another contractor who replaced the heater correctly but I still had to fix the window and put a new platform down.

If you are upgrading in terms of efficiency, you might be able to get a (not huge, but not nothing either!) rebate through the NJ Clean Energy program - here's a link to their rebate page http://www.njcleanenergy.com/main/rebates-and-promotions/rebates-and-promotions

We are in the process of deciding whether to do a bunch of upgrades - boiler, hot water heater, insulation - through that program, largely because of the rebate of up to $5k, plus 10 year, 0% financing for up to $10k. But we're still pretty early in the process; haven't signed a contract, even, so I can't vouch for how quick it is - may not be a viable option if the heater is already leaking.

Just a reminder... April of 2015 is looming. So if your water heater is old it's time to start planning to have it replaced.

plungy said:

Just a reminder... April of 2015 is looming. So if your water heater is old it's time to start planning to have it replaced.

Know you discussed this before.
But, what's happening in 4/2015?

I just replaced my water heater. If I had surplus money, I would think about buying a new unit now and storing it for the next replacement.

wharfrat said:

plungy said:

Just a reminder... April of 2015 is looming. So if your water heater is old it's time to start planning to have it replaced.

Know you discussed this before.
But, what's happening in 4/2015?
Do a search for "2015 water heater standards" Wharfrat. Costs will rise significantly.

There doesn't seem to be much difference in Gas fired water heaters as long as they are 55 Gal and less.

I thought the big difference is that the new units will no longer work during a power outage. That's my main concern.

We had a very positive experience with PSE&G. Ours had to be moved because of flooding and furnance location. Had no trouble with inspections. Suspect we would have had a total redo with a plumber that was only a little lower.