Hot Water Base Box- replace?

[teamC]

Has anyone who used a plumbing company to replace their water heater also replaced the base box under their water heater when they got a new one?
Our water heater is in the garage and the wooden base box looks pretty beat up.

[RICH1]

wood? i would suggest that the base be strong enough to support 40-50 gallons of water and the water heater..12-15 years is along time....8.3 pounds per gallon plus all
the extra chlorine added to kill the germs.. Lowes and Home depot sell very nice metal
bases ... plumbers dream

[retiredguy123]

As long as the wood base is supporting the water heater, I wouldn't replace it. I doubt that a plumber will want to tear it out, but maybe you can find one who will.

[MrFlorida]

That base box is also your return air duct.

[retiredguy123]

That base box is also your return air duct.
Not the one under the water heater. You may be thinking of the wood box under the HVAC unit.