Water heater recommendation please.
 

Our 10 year old home's water heater just died. Leaking from the bottom but fortunately the pan is doing its job. Just turned it off.

Electric Rheem model PROE40.

We are Mike Scott customers and would prefer to have them do the job. Just called $910 total to replace the heater, expansion tank, full install and remove old one. We also have a recirc pump on it which they installed as well.

BUT, earliest they could come is Sat morning. Oh well.

Another but, the model they have is exactly the same as we have.
I would like to have a better efficency model if possible. So just checking alternatives and if I should shop around. Any advice? BTW we would not want to go hybrid or such.

Don't shop around. Go with Mike Scott. They are giving you a good price and you don't need a more efficient model. Hopefully, the price they quoted includes a new expansion tank. Make sure that is correct. Good luck.

Did you check with SECO to see if they have any purchase plans similar to TECO? The price you were quoted from Mike Scott looks good. We have gas so I don’t know if this is a good price. It is less than what we paid for a gas water heater. Also, we have been happy with services received from Mike Scott Plumbing. They are a good company.

10 years is about right. Unfortunately they don’t make them last long anymore (like most stuff now) and that price is really good.

Agree check your utility.
I have used Mike Scott several times and no problem with their service. Not sure but my guess is they might be a little expensive but the price you mentioned seems good. I would let them install since I have a relationship with them.

From the OP..

Thank you all:

No rebate etc from SECO

Funny...odd...just last week I was considering calling to have a new WH installed, then forgot.... I thought we may be on borrowed time. Warning to those with 10+ year elec WH - plan NOW....

Scott quote DOES include new expansion tank

Thanks for the info all - solidifies my decision....

No matter who installs the new hot water heater, ALWAYS ask for the length of the warranty. Most hot water heaters have a 6 year warranty. I believe the one from Mike Scott is probably 6 year based on the cost they quoted you.

I'm sure the 6 year water heater will be fine but for a little more I would get a 12 year warranty unit and you are done.

Your situation is why you should start planning on changing your hot water heater after the warrenty on the unit is up. You were lucky this time. Next time you may not be so lucky and have damage. Some water heaters will fail shortly after the warranty period, some will last about 10-15 years and someone will comment here that they had theirs for 20 years and it's still going strong. For the cost of the unit, it pays to replace it as a maintenance item and not wait until it totally fails unless you like to gamble.

We have used Mike Scott since 2010, you rarely will find a post complaining about price, staff or professionalism

Mike, Scott switched our tank out two years ago same model we paid $940. Worker was on time, courteous and pleasant.

Turn off the power
 

Make certain to turn off the power as well as the water to the heater.

From the OP.

Mike Scott just completed install of the new WH. Took less than 2 hours. Could not be more satisfied.

Blake, their tech, was so professional. The install included new Rheem WH, expansion tank, and complete plumbing/fittings/valve etc - all new from the wall pipes on.

Fortunately our WATTS HW pump works perfectly as well, so the outage did not cause damage.

$910 complete. Totally happy and since we moved into the new TV home 10 years ago, Mike Scott is the ONLY way to go IMO. A+++

Water Heater Life
 

While on the topic of replacing water heaters, one way to extend the life is to flush the tank once or twice a year. You should flush a water heater to remove sediment buildup that accumulates over time, which can significantly reduce its efficiency by acting as an insulator between the heating element and water, leading to longer heating times and higher energy costs; regular flushing helps maintain optimal performance and extend the lifespan of your water heater by preventing issues like corrosion, clogged valves, and potential leaks from sediment buildup.

Sediment buildup:
Minerals and particles from your water can settle at the bottom of the tank, creating a layer of sediment that hinders heat transfer.

Improved energy efficiency:
By removing sediment, your water heater can heat water more effectively and quickly, saving you money on energy bills.

Signs of sediment issues:
If you notice a decrease in hot water output, fluctuating water temperature, rumbling noises from the tank, or rusty water, it could indicate a need to flush your water heater.

Regular maintenance:
Most experts recommend flushing your water heater at least once a year, especially if you have hard water.

I would just point out that the Rheem manual does not recommend ever flushing out their water heaters. Also, do you really think you get a thorough flushing of sediment through the very small opening in the drain valve? There is also a good chance that when you close the drain valve, it will start to leak. Most people, including me, don't do any maintenance on their tank type electric water heater.

Actually while the tech was here, I confirmed with him re flushing. He said best is annually, but if you have a whole house water filter as we do, every 2 years is OK.

If you have a whole house filter, particularly something in the 5 micron range, I'm not sure I see the need for flushing the tank, ever. Replacing the sacrificial anode periodically, say every 5 years, might be more useful.

I used Dove Plumbing in Wildwood, Fl. did a great job for half the price of the usual plumbers you see in The Villages. Also did some work inside like changing the push-pull toilet valves .352-461-3369 give them a call.

Concerning flushing the tank, most people don't flush or even know what it is or that it shuld be done periodically. They just don't do any maintenance and wait for the tank to fail then replace it.

But If you have a sediment filter system such as a Nova or Express Water three stage system, you should never have to flush your hot water heater because the amount of sediment will be minimal.

What most don't realize or understand is the Anode rod installed in the tank and its effect on the tanks longevity. The anode rod is a sacrificial rod used in water heaters. It helps protect the lining of the water heater from corrosion and generally lengthens its life.
When metal and water combine you get galvanic corrosion. Galvanic corrosion is defined as an electrochemical process in which one metal corrodes preferentially to another when both metals are in contact. So, your piping, which is one kind of metal, and your tank - which is another kind of metal - and the water together set the stage for some fantastic galvanic corrosion. This is not good.
To prevent the tank from rusting or your heater element from corroding, a sacrificial rod is installed in the water heater tank. The idea is the anode rod will corrode first, leaving the metal of the tank (and element if you have an electric water heater) alone - saving you from dealing with a rusty behemoth that randomly springs leaks.

Here with the water we have in the Villages, the Anode rod will be "used up" by the time the water heater warranty is finished. For example, if your water heater has a six year warranty, after the sixth year, it's almost certain your Anode rod is mostly gone. At this point, the inside of the tank begins to rust at an accelerated rate and it's a gamble when it will start leaking. Hot water tanks with a longer warranty such as a 12 year, will have a thicker Anode rod. In some tanks, the manufacturer uses two anode rods to extend the life of the tank. As far as the Anode rod being used up, several of my neighbors and myself pulled out the anode rod on the water heaters we replaced and confirmed what I described. Depending on your water, the Anode rod may last longer or fail in a shorter time but for us here in the Villages, this is a good guideline.

All this said, this is why it's recommended to start planning changing your hot water tank after the warrenty period expires because no one spends around $300 to replace the Anode rod every couple of years.

Hope this helps.

If "flushing" means to open the tiny drain valve and allow hot water to flow out of the tank, you are really not getting much flushing action, and you will not remove enough sediment to accomplish much. If the water heater manufacturer, Rheem, doesn't recommend annual flushing, I wouldn't do it. Read the owner's manual. And, I'll bet you a dollar that less than 1 in 100 people flush their water heater tank every year.

Absolutely right!

I think Rheem doesn't recommend annual flushing so the water heater fails at a pre-determined time and doesn't last longer. Also they are probably worried about failure of the drain and pressure relief valve doing annual flushing.

John
Do you remember what you paid. Did it include permits?
Loews contractor quoted $2200, way over priced for a AO Smith 9 yr.

Try dove plumbing