TECO Hot Water Heater

[billybye]

I give TECO an A PLUS for their program for replacing your hot water heater.
Found mine leaking yesterday morning. Went to Lowe's and was quoted "at least" $800.00 for heater and installation.
Home Depot wanted $1179.00 for same.
Called TECO at 1 pm and had one installed before 4 pm same day. $9.99 a month for 60 months, which is added to your bill monthly. Did not incur any extra charges from plumber that installed unit. One call to TECO is all it took. Less than $600.00.

[ukbill70]

How old was your Heater ? Mine is 16 years old and appears to be in good shape but I'm worried it could start leaking. My Gas Hot water Heaters in Illinois only lasted 6 to 7 years.

Will definitely call TECO when the time comes, I don't think you could buy the unit for that price let alone installed.

[village dreamer]

was that a 40 gal., ele or gas ??

[Ecuadog]

Do you know the brand name and model number of the new water heater? That would be much appreciated.

[Fraugoofy]

...

[Nucky]

I just did the same thing 2 weeks ago, but paid an extra $45 for the expandable tank. See pic for brand name, model, etc. $10 a month for 60 months, no interest. Great deal for me!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170713/47ee1f3c088a96b48bfc8ff21f1b74b7.jpg

Sent from my SM-N910R4 using Tapatalk

I wonder who handles this service in my neck of the woods? Country Club Hills. Very nice post. You go on the Very Nice List!:jester:

[rubicon]

I replaced my water heater after 9 years just because. I worked through my plumbing company offering a rebate program paid $650 (50 gal Rheem) installed. The expandable tank was included.

I'll replace this one in about 9 years

[Bay Kid]

I replaced my water heater after 9 years just because. I worked through my plumbing company offering a rebate program paid $650 (50 gal Rheem) installed. The expandable tank was included.

I'll replace this one in about 9 years

Same here 2 years ago. Great deal and unit.

[Retiring]

How old was your Heater ? Mine is 16 years old and appears to be in good shape but I'm worried it could start leaking. My Gas Hot water Heaters in Illinois only lasted 6 to 7 years.

Will definitely call TECO when the time comes, I don't think you could buy the unit for that price let alone installed.

I think the two main factors in heater longevity is water quality and quality of heater. I’ve been a loyal AOSmith customer for a long time. They used to be top of the line but I’m sure there are many superior brands today. In NY gas heaters normally will get 25 yrs. In AZ I got about 8 yrs. In WA I replace every 8 yrs. Since I travel for a living I replace these heaters preemptively. I don’t wait for a leak. Once I learn the average lifespan is 8-10 yrs in my area, I replace at 8 yrs. Plumbers often wonder why I’m replacing a perfectly good heater. If the heater starts to leak while I’m on weeklong trip, the damage can be catastrophic (utility closet in the house).

If you’re a retired plumber please chime in.

[billybye]

was that a 40 gal., ele or gas ??

40 gallon gas water heater, it comes with a 5 year warranty. Was told if I have a problem, just call TECO and they will send out the installing plumber to fix it.

[billybye]

How old was your Heater ? Mine is 16 years old and appears to be in good shape but I'm worried it could start leaking. My Gas Hot water Heaters in Illinois only lasted 6 to 7 years.

Will definitely call TECO when the time comes, I don't think you could buy the unit for that price let alone installed.

17 years old. Have been told lifespan in Florida is 12-15 years

[billybye]

I replaced my water heater after 9 years just because. I worked through my plumbing company offering a rebate program paid $650 (50 gal Rheem) installed. The expandable tank was included.

I'll replace this one in about 9 years

Who was the plumber? Mine was not near that price.

[PennBF]

I thought I would pass on an experience we had. It seem TECO replaced our meter and did not tell us which is needed to ensure the "expandable tank" is also replaced if necessary. We were home one day and heard a very loud bang. The pipe in the guest bathroom blew out, we got about a 2 foot hole in the wall and water was coming out with very high power. Lucky we were home, shut the water off to the house and called our plumber. It appears the expandable tank caused the problem and it was replaced. The fault was that we were not told the meter had been replaced!:mornincoffee:

[billybye]

I thought I would pass on an experience we had. It seem TECO replaced our meter and did not tell us which is needed to ensure the "expandable tank" is also replaced if necessary. We were home one day and heard a very loud bang. The pipe in the guest bathroom blew out, we got about a 2 foot hole in the wall and water was coming out with very high power. Lucky we were home, shut the water off to the house and called our plumber. It appears the expandable tank caused the problem and it was replaced. The fault was that we were not told the meter had been replaced!:mornincoffee:

What did meter have to do with expandable tank? Doesn't meter just measure how much gas you use?
Did plumber blame it on meter? Maybe tank was at fault?

[N44125]

We used the TECO 'deal' about 6 months ago...sounded too good to be true, but we went ahead anyway. Turned out to be exactly as advertised. Great experience. Installer recommended the expansion tank be replaced, we did and paid him directly...$35. Would highly recommend.

[New Englander]

Could someone explain what is the purpose of an expansion tank? Also, are they used only on gas powered water heaters?

[photo1902]

Could someone explain what is the purpose of an expansion tank? Also, are they used only on gas powered water heaters?

In the simplest of terms, it's purpose is to prevent your water tank from experiencing excessive pressure. Most states require an expansion tank. And yes, they are installed on electric and gas water heaters.

[New Englander]

In the simplest of terms, it's purpose is to prevent your water tank from experiencing excessive pressure. Most states require an expansion tank. And yes, they are installed on electric and gas water heaters.

Thanks

[CWGUY]

I thought I would pass on an experience we had. It seem TECO replaced our meter and did not tell us which is needed to ensure the "expandable tank" is also replaced if necessary. We were home one day and heard a very loud bang. The pipe in the guest bathroom blew out, we got about a 2 foot hole in the wall and water was coming out with very high power. Lucky we were home, shut the water off to the house and called our plumber. It appears the expandable tank caused the problem and it was replaced. The fault was that we were not told the meter had been replaced!:mornincoffee:

:confused:I don't understand that at all. To me it does not make any sense. Where is the "tinker" when you need him?

[photo1902]

:confused:I don't understand that at all. To me it does not make any sense. Where is the "tinker" when you need him?

Expansion tanks need to be set to match the water pressure in the individual home. The units come set at a pre-charge level. Having it set too low can cause the expansion tank to fail. I checked mine and saw that it was set too low as well and needed to be adjusted.

[CWGUY]

Expansion tanks need to be set to match the water pressure in the individual home. The units come set at a pre-charge level. Having it set too low can cause the expansion tank to fail. I checked mine and saw that it was set too low as well and needed to be adjusted.

:wave: Thanks but.....I understand an expansion tanks purpose.(Not expandable)

So was it the Water Meter that was changed for the PennBF or did TECO change the gas meter as he said? Did he not have a pressure relief (T&P) valve on the hot water tank?

[villagetinker]

To explain why the changing of the water meter caused problems....newer meter include an anti back flow valve that blocks any water from going from the house back to the water main. So the old meter would apparently allow flow backwards if the pressure in the house was higher than the pressure in the water system. Under normal operation, the water heater will cause a slight expansion of the water as it is heated, if there is nowhere for this expansion to go, the water pressure can go up very quickly. An expansion tank has a rubber bladder, and as a previous poster noted, these are charged to the typical house water pressure. When the expansion tank is installed, it will be able to absorb the slight expansions caused by the water heater, by compressing the AIR pocket in the expansion tank.
Hope this helps.
CWGUY, I was out and just got back!!

[CWGUY]

I thought I would pass on an experience we had. It seem TECO replaced our meter and did not tell us which is needed to ensure the "expandable tank" is also replaced if necessary. We were home one day and heard a very loud bang. The pipe in the guest bathroom blew out, we got about a 2 foot hole in the wall and water was coming out with very high power. Lucky we were home, shut the water off to the house and called our plumber. It appears the expandable tank caused the problem and it was replaced. The fault was that we were not told the meter had been replaced!:mornincoffee:

To explain why the changing of the water meter caused problems....newer meter include an anti back flow valve that blocks any water from going from the house back to the water main. So the old meter would apparently allow flow backwards if the pressure in the house was higher than the pressure in the water system. Under normal operation, the water heater will cause a slight expansion of the water as it is heated, if there is nowhere for this expansion to go, the water pressure can go up very quickly. An expansion tank has a rubber bladder, and as a previous poster noted, these are charged to the typical house water pressure. When the expansion tank is installed, it will be able to absorb the slight expansions caused by the water heater, by compressing the AIR pocket in the expansion tank.
Hope this helps.
CWGUY, I was out and just got back!!

Thanks for the answer.

Do you see what confused me? PennBF said Teco changed "gas" meter.

And I still don't know if he had a T&P on his water heater. I would think that is code. Anyway thanks again.

[villagetinker]

CWguy, AH, I see your confusion, you are correct, changing the GAS meter would not cause the problem, changing the WATER could. When we were up north, they decided to change the water meters, and had a 3 month educational process to ensure all the houses had the expansion tanks installed. My neighbor and older lady completely ignored the requirement, sold the house a year or so later, then soon after the new neighbor moves in, I get a call about a bulging and leaking hot water heater. Several hundred dollars later, it was all fixed.

[Wiotte]

Technically, these tanks are compression tanks. Expansion tanks do not contain bladders and are not capable of adjustable pressurization. Just saying.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wiotte]

Expansion tanks need to be set to match the water pressure in the individual home. The units come set at a pre-charge level. Having it set too low can cause the expansion tank to fail. I checked mine and saw that it was set too low as well and needed to be adjusted.



My house runs 70PSI. I wouldn't think to pressurize a residential Amtrol to that pressure. Typical out of the box psi is sufficient for 99% of residential applications. The piping system gallonage in a house doesn't justify it nor is it practical.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[photo1902]

My house runs 70PSI. I wouldn't think to pressurize a residential Amtrol to that pressure. Typical out of the box psi is sufficient for 99% of residential applications. The piping system gallonage in a house doesn't justify it nor is it practical.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I never said it should be set to 70psi, it should be set to the correct setting in each application. Max is 40psi for my Flex2. Pre-charge is around 12.