For those who have replaced their water heater recently .............
 

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.EDIT: Our WH is ELECTRIC not gas.

What brand did you get?

Rheem @ Home Depot has LOTS of recent bad reviews
AO Smith @ Lowes not quite as many bad reviews.

Our 15yr old AO Smith is still hanging on but since we just replaced our 15yr old A/C figure may as well do both plus the 30% tax credit helps.

I did learn a lot looking for A/C replacement, though. One thing I learned is that generally the "lower priced" contractors do not include running new copper tubing and say "your 15yr old copper under your home is 'just fine." When they pulled out my old copper I can clearly say ABSOLUTELY NOT at least in our case. Maybe it had 1-2 years left. We got 3 quotes for IDENTICAL MODEL#/size Carrier equipment and price varied $1500 from low to high and one wouldn't even quote us if we wanted the copper replaced. Some dealers send out "salesmen" who know nothing much more than reading a price list and some send out real technicians. It's a lot better doing it BEFORE you have to get one within 24hrs because yours dies in the middle of the sweltering summer and they got ya by the you know what's. :D

Anyway, water heater is next. What brand did you get?

Bought a Rheem at Home Depot about 9 months ago. Works like a charm. I have always thought that the installation and start up of an appliance is a determining factor in it's success, and in our case we had a great plumber install it. Not rocket science, but there are some nuances to the install that are important.
I might add, that had I to do it over again-I might have waited- there are significant rebates and tax credits becoming available soon for 'electric heat pump' water heaters, as part of the implementation of the 'Inflation Reduction Act'. It's income dependent for the most part, but even someone making 150% of the county median income qualifies for a 50% rebate/discount. The program is already federally funded, just not set up quite yet in Florida. Will be though. Hope those 2 cents help with perspective.

We replaced our 2 units with AO Smith water heaters in our previous home in TN. Seemed better built. Also they used brass drain valves vs Rheem which used plastic ones. Figured the plastic ones would age/degrade especially being subjected to continuous hot water. Just didn't feel that they did the best they could so where else did they cut corners? Our units were manufactured in TN too.

. That's why we changed the A/C now. Should save close to $2000. Can't see the extra cost for the "Heat pump" water heater though. Not sure what FL has to do with setting it up. From what I have read it's just a matter of filling out form 5695 with this year's taxes. Wouldn't hold my breath for anything having to do with the state of FL unless it had to do with exterminating mice that have large hands. Besides, if the rebates were actually given "on the spot" at time of sale the dealers would just jack up the prices then give a fake rebate.

[QUOTE=EdFNJ;2217096]What brand did you get?

Rheem @ Home Depot has LOTS of recent bad reviews
AO Smith @ Lowes not quite as many bad reviews.

Our 15yr old AO Smith is still hanging on but since we just replaced our 15yr old A/C figure may as well do both plus the 30% tax credit helps.

I did learn a lot looking for A/C replacement, though. One thing I learned is that generally the "lower priced" contractors do not include running new copper tubing and say "your 15yr old copper under your home is 'just fine." When they pulled out my old copper I can clearly say ABSOLUTELY NOT at least in our case. Maybe it had 1-2 years left. We got 3 quotes for IDENTICAL MODEL#/size Carrier equipment and price varied $1500 from low to high and one wouldn't even quote us if we wanted the copper replaced. Some dealers send out "salesmen" who know nothing much more than reading a price list and some send out real technicians. It's a lot better doing it BEFORE you have to get one within 24hrs because yours dies in the middle of the sweltering summer and they got ya by the you know what's. :D

[QUOTE=Pairadocs;2217127]O.A Smith, about 2 yrs. ago now, natural gas, also did new "expansion" vent. 40 gal, shopped around and found every plumbing business not only charged for the installation, that is certainly normal, but also inflated the price of the very same brand and model of O.A. Smith. So bought what we wanted and hired a retired journeyman plumber originally from Ohio with 38 years experience. Our O.A. gas heaters have all lasted from 18 years to 21 years for one !

Maybe mice should learn when to be quiet so they don’t get squashed.

The gas company has a good deal where they will add like $10 to your bill every month, no money upfront, and have Mike Scott install it for free.
The gas company will give an extended warranty on the unit and installation should something go wrong.

Rheem and A.O. Smith water heaters are both fine and pretty equivalent. They only last the duration of the warrenty so if the heater you choose has a 12 yr warranty you need to start planning to replace it when it gets that old. If you don't, you are gambling every day because you could have the 1 in 100 disaster it the tank fails. Then you have a bigger problem to deal with. I understand insurance companies are also now looking at how old your water heater is and will adjust your insurance accordingly. At the end of the day if you replace your tank hot water heater on your own terms, not in an emergency, it will cost you around $1,000 installed. Not a lot of money to spend every 8-12 years on an important item in your home.

AO Smith from Lowes, also 3 of my neighbors used the same.

Or jus have your heater cleaned out and the elements replaced.

1/2 price, better quality.

Yes, That is exactly why we replaced our A/C this week because if it was an "emergency" it probably would have cost 25% more. WH in 2 weeks for same reason. Pay 'em now or pay 'em a lot more later.

O.I.C. Mice don't have the same "freedom of speech" as the rest of us! :1rotfl: I forgot to mention in the OP it is ELECTRIC and sadly SECO offers no rebates of any kind however I HAVE BEEN TOLD but have no proof to back it up, that since they are a "coop" their rates are lower than the others that serve the area so in the end it works itself out.

That's my plan. Getting one at (??) likely Lowes. Ours is electric so a bit simpler. Would have done it myself but couldn't lift the 110lb tank up about 2 1/2 feet to the platform into the drip pan. :). Lowes and Home Depot want CLOSE TO $1000 just to install, and the local "big guys" aren't far behind them! A user here (thank you) mentioned Roger Pearce Plumbing so he is going to do our for less than 1/2 that including pressure tank, tray and everything else.

I also called Sumter County Building dept to confirm that what their website says that NO PERMIT IS NECESSARY as long as the change is same type fuel and same location. Lowes and HD folks insisted on charging $150 for an unnecessary permit.


When is a Building Permit **NOT** Required? | Sumter County, FL - Official Website

We just bought a new, 40 gallon electric water heater (Rheem) with expansion tank from one of the "big guys". Mike Scott Plumbing. Total Price for tank and installation was $910.

Decent price but I had an experience with them about 6 years ago when we first moved in and they wanted to (did) charge me ~$80 just to come out a SEE what the plumbing issue was. We had just moved in and their sticker was on the WH tank. It was one of those "If you go with us we'll deduct the $80 from your bill otherwise you pay us for doing nothing" deals and while I did hire them I swore that it would be the last time I ever dealt with them. Funny thing it was WH related (the expansion tank needed to be replaced) and I was charged a ridiculous amount for the job for a $50 tank and well under 1hr of work. We were still unpacking at the time and didn't want to deal with it myself which 99% of the time I DIY. When I hold a grudge it lasts forever. LOL.

LOL, in my case they gave me a price over the phone and the bill was exactly what they quoted. The two young men who installed it were polite, professional, and left the work area very clean. Might we worth a call. :)

It is a very fair price but actually it's costing me just shy of $100 less including a 40->50 gal "upgrade" only because I had a 20% discount coupon for Lowes for the heater. They (M. Scott) were nice "back then" as well but I'd still never deal with them for the reason stated in my previous message. :D

Hum there is that annoying ad on the radio where the lady is betting when a 15 year old water heater will fail. Copper plumbing under the house? I would expect you will find they need to break some holes through your cement. You likely have tiles ,etc. You may not be able to find matching tiles. It can easily turn into a monster. Our home is ten years old and I am fairly sure it is plastic. I would as a plumber. Our previous home was 48 years old. We had copper plumbing. At that time copper was the latest. Some people had galvanized steel/iron. The copper prevented pipes from being pugged with calcium. Like everything else things are not done as they used to be. With the cost of copper, I will bet copper plumbing is far thinner than it was 60 years ago.

Check out the program for yourself at the link below (and if you get really interested,you can download the actual 'Inflation reduction act' bill passed by congress):

If you are fitting the description of 'medium income'-I'd hold my breath before I invested right now in a water heater or a new AC system, or electric range for that matter.

Home Energy Rebate Programs Guidance | Department of Energy


2023 Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program Guidance
The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program provides $4,275,000,000 in formula grants to states and territories and $225,000,000 in grants to tribes to install efficient electric technology into low- and medium-income single- and multi-family homes. These funds are expected to be available to states and tribes in Summer 2023.

I'm fairly sure the OP was referring to the refrigerant line(s) fir the AC unit. These are copper and high pressure - joints are brazed (not soldered)

Electric Hot Water Heater Tank
 

Contrary to some replies, do NOT use Lowes or Home Depot. Their contractors charge about $700 more than some others. I recommend Roger Pearce (352-572-8954), who installed an A.O. Smith equivalent to the big box stores for $850. He replaced and rerouted the expansion tank (so it wasn't near the ceiling) and replaced the tray. He does this himself (he's a strong guy) so you're not paying extra for helper. He is busy so you may have to wait a few weeks. Hint: he leaves the thermostat at factory setting which is low for our dish washer - ask him to set it a bit higher to at least 140 degrees.

To clarify, most dishwashers have their own heating element and they are designed to operate using 120 degree water. The dishwasher heats up the water to between 140 and 155 during operation. A water heater setting of 140 degrees is way too high for most people. While a setting of 120 degrees may be a little low, a more appropriate setting may be 125 to 130. The last time I checked, the builder sets the water heater to 125 for new houses. To set the water temperature on a dual element electric water heater, remove the two metal cover plates on the water heater, and use a regular screw driver to adjust the temperature on each of the two elements. Both elements should be set at the same temperature. Be careful removing the plates because they have sharp edges.

Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom of consequence, say stupid things win stupid prizes.

Only use Mike Scott they’re the most honest and upfront plumbers that work with the gas company.

Electric has lots of upfront costs including special installation and would take decades to recoup any savings.

Our AC, furnace and water heater are all 20 years old and fully functional.
I guess they had no misspent youth.

Any estimates from Frank Gay ?

Contrary to some replies, Lowes was great.
We used them in the past.
Good price, Good product, Good service.

:BigApplause:

As I understand it, Lowes and Home Depot will sell you a water heater and then hire a contractor from a list that they maintain to do the installation. Hopefully, if they get complaints about contractors on their list, they will be removed from the list. And, if a contractor screws up, the store will correct the problem. At least that is the way it should work. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. The advantage is that you have a third party to resolve any issues that may occur. The disadvantage is that you may pay a little more and may not get the best contractor available.

AO SMITH
Gets my money

Why does it matter to you if someone doesn't like the state they moved from? And better yet, who are you to try and control what anyone says?

Has anyone installed a tank less electric water heater

Huh? What? Not copper "plumbing." We had that in our 70yr old home up north. Doubt that is used just about anywhere here in TV or anywhere any more. Everything is PVC or CPVC or that flexible stuff. The copper lines I refer to are the coolant lines from the A/C compressor in our backyard under the house to the air handler in the garage, along with the condensate drain tube and the low voltage cable. They go through an 8" (or so) PVC "raceway" so they can (usually) just be pulled out and replaced. They are sealed on either end. New construction the copper is generally done through the attic.

Been there, done that which was why I didn't do it last fall. :D.

I hear they are terrible. Need like 3 separate 220V electric lines for one that generates enough HW. We had gas tankless up north and it was fantastic. Sadly the electric ones are nothing like it.

. That's who is doing mine. June 5th. :thumbup:

Ours IS electric as is our entire home and as wonderful as Mike Scott is I PERSONALLY wouldn't give him any business and not because they aren't a good plumbing company (as noted in my previous post). It was business related, not quality related.

It's not Lowes or Home Depot that has anything to do with the WH install when you contact them. When you contact them they farm it out to a bunch of outside plumbing contractors who all call you with prices and have no actual connection to them other than to have supplied their names and I am sure been vetted for proper insurance & license. Kinda like ANgi's List. I had about 4 calls when I told Lowes I wanted a WH installed. They might be great but they wanted almost $900 JUST FOR THE INSTALL of the water heater. They also wanted to charge a $150 fee for a permit which is not required in Sumter county for the swapout. Most of the local plumbing contractos (Like Scott, Pearce etc) get the same heater from Lowes that their people will supply.

I would be interested if it is worth the money to install a gas tank less water heater?

Plumber You Used
 

Can you please provide name and number for this plumber you used?
Thank you!



[QUOTE=Pairadocs;2217128]

Requested estimate for new HVAC, Was told the estimate would cost $79. plus they require a credit card

I would never pay for an estimate.