40 Gallon Electric Water Heater
 

I'm thinking about replacing my 12-year-old water heater. If anyone has done this recently, what plumbing outfit did you use, and what was the total cost? Thanks

Mike Scott Plumbing will do it for about $900. I recommend this company. Whoever you hire, make sure their quote includes a new expansion tank.

So, what’s wrong with it?

I agree with the previous estimate, there was a local plumber advertising for around that cost. Youn are wise to look into replacement, ours lasted 12 years, then I noticed the leak at the top of the unit.

Check with your local utility to see if they have a deal

It's on borrowed time.

Just make sure whichever hot water tank you buy that it has a warrenty of 12 years. I believe most of these companies are installing 6 year warranty tanks. Nothing wrong with that but it may not last as long.

I would recommend:
1) Rheem
Gladiator 40 Gal. Medium 12-Year 5500-Watt Double Element Smart Electric Water Heater w/ Leak Detection and Auto Shutoff - $649 at Home Depot
2) A.O. Smith Signature 500 40-Gallons Short 12-year Warranty 5500-watt Double Element Grid Capable Smart Electric Water Heater with Leak Detection and Automatic Shut-off -$849 at Lowes

Both these heaters have leak detection AND water shutoff and can be installed by Mike Scott or any other HVAC contractor, you just need to ask.

But if you want cheap and a replacement for what you probably have, almost all HVAC companies have their standard hot water heater replacement for under $1,000.

One company wanted $1,455, and Mike Scott wanted $910. Mike Scott is coming tomorrow, and there is no extra charge for weekend work.
Thanks to all who answered my post

I wish my house had electric water heater, they are easy to replace. I’m almost tempted next time (if I’m still able) to have electrician run 220V dedicated line so I can install electric water heater.

So, you have to compare the equipment they are installing and what they are changing during the installation process.

For example, is one company giving you a "builder grade" 6 year tank vs an upgraded tank? Is one company just changing the tank and not the connecting hoses and the expansion tank? You have to look at all this vs just using the price as a decision point.

I understand what you're saying. The not chosen Co. uses "State" Hot Water Tanks. Mike Scott uses Rheem. Rheem is what Mike Scott used on my original install and it's 12 years old now. In my Villa section two water heaters have failed recently. I think it is money well spent.

OP, I can almost guarantee you that Mike Scott will be installing a Rheem water heater with a 6-year warranty, and they will be installing a new expansion tank. You can upgrade to the 12-year warranty and pay more, but I wouldn't. My Rheem has a 6-year warranty, and it is still working fine after 10 years. By the way, the warranty will only cover the parts, which will most likely be less than half of the labor cost to replace the water heater.

Be sure to shop around. We used Torri Plumbing in Wildwood and did it for less than $800. We had a few estimates over $1500. It's a 90 minute job for a good plumber.

To whom it may concern, STAY AWAY from Frank Gay!

With all due respect, I don't understand your reasoning. You can buy a Rheem water heater with a 6-year warranty for a retail price of $449 or a Rheem water heater with a 12-year warranty for $649. The labor to install it is not covered by the warranty. What is wrong with a 6-year warranty for an item that costs less than $500? My car cost $35K and it only had a 3-year warranty. Also, if your 12-year warranty water heater fails at 10 years, how long is it going to take to contact Rheem and enforce the warranty to save $249, while you are out of hot water? If your 6-year warranty water heater fails at 10 years, a plumber will replace it the same day. To me, it is a no brainer that the water heater with a 6-year warranty is a better deal.

AI agrees with you. Here’s what it says:
“The difference in quality between an electric hot water heater with a six-year warranty and one with a twelve-year warranty is often minimal, with the longer warranty primarily reflecting the manufacturer's confidence in the longevity of the product. While some manufacturers may include slightly better components like a thicker anode rod or a more robust tank lining in the 12-year models, the core construction is often the same. The longer warranty essentially acts as a form of insurance, offering more coverage in case of premature failure.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Warranty as Insurance:
The longer warranty doesn't necessarily guarantee a longer lifespan, but it does provide more coverage if the water heater fails within the warranty period. This can be particularly valuable if the unit fails in the later years of its expected lifespan.
Potential Component Differences:
While the core construction might be similar, manufacturers might use slightly better components in the 12-year models. For example, they might include a thicker or longer anode rod to protect the tank from corrosion for a longer period.
Read the Fine Print:
It's crucial to read the warranty details carefully. Some warranties are pro-rated, meaning you might only receive a partial credit towards a replacement if the unit fails in the later years.
Lifespan vs. Warranty:
Most tank water heaters are expected to last between 8 to 12 years, with proper maintenance. A 12-year warranty provides coverage for a significant portion of that lifespan, while a 6-year warranty might not cover the full expected lifespan.
Cost vs. Benefit:
A longer warranty will typically come at a higher upfront cost. Consider whether the additional cost is worth the increased coverage, especially if you are diligent about maintenance and understand the potential for pro-rated replacements.”

My garage door faces east, the side wall faces south, and there is no insulation above the ceiling, so it gets really hot in the garage in the summer. I wonder if that slows the dissipation of heat through the water heater walls.

They don't make them like they used too. We had our 40 gallon electric water heater replaced last year. It was a GE from 1996 there was nothing wrong with it I only replaced it out of caution. The house was built in 2001 and the owner/builder put a used water heater in.

I agree, but what appliance can you buy today that costs less than $500 and has a 6-year warranty? Some people spend more than $2,000 for a refrigerator and only get a 1-year warranty.

How about tankless? Anyone have opinions on that as an option for replacement?

If you have a tank type electric water heater, replacing it with an electric tankless water heater will not work without costly electrical upgrades to your house. You may even need to upgrade your electrical panel. It is usually not worth it. Get a quote from an electrician.

jrref....Mike Scott installs Rehm elec 40 gal water heaters for about $900 with expansion tank ( required by law) and ALL connections and removes old heater too! Rehm is top of the line and the warranty is 10 years

Consider a tankless water heater before purchasing the 40-gallon.

Consider insta hot water heater, I experienced a significant decrease in electric bill.

You are correct. Apparently, Rheem has revised their classic warranty to 10 years. However, this warranty only covers the parts for 10 years, and the labor for one year. When you replace a water heater, the labor will be the most expensive part of the replacement.

Update: Home Depot and the Rheem website still refers to the performance $449 water heater as having a 6-year warranty, but other websites show it to be 10 years. Very confusing.

Kiley & Son’s replaced ours 2yrs ago. Very pleased with their service:
$940 + $70 new 40 gal electric water heater.

I like Mike Scott. I feel that specific company provides a good service at a fair price.

If the above is correct, then go with the $900 deal unless you want the automatic water detection and shutoff Rheem tank. I'm sure they will install that at well at a slightly higher cost.

I often question a HVAC company advertising a cheap price "special". In those situations you need to find out what equipment they are installing and what they are replacing during the installation.

About the 6 year vs 10 or 12 year warranty. What most have said is basically true but for example, just having a larger anode rod for example, can extend the life of the tank more years. We have pulled the anode rod on the basic and upgraded tanks and confirmed the longer warranty tank had a thicker anode rod and some use two instead of one to extend the life of the tank. So, the point of the longer warranty is to get a better made tank that has the potential of lasting longer. And of course, if it ever fails the pro rate will be better so there is some benefit there.

Finally, whomever installs your system, Always make sure they pressurize the expansion tank to the maximum water pressure at your home. These tanks come from the factory with a 40psi charge when you probably need 70psi. If this is not done, the tank will not work properly and fail prematurely. You don't know how many so called "professionals" skip this step for some reason.

The main reason is the anode rod in the 12 year tank will be thicker than the 6 year tank. They list this in their specifications. The performance of the anode rod will determine the longevity of the tank. Remember, the anode rod is a sacrifical rod that protects the tank from corrosion.

The other option if you are handy is to get the 6 year tank and purchase an electronic anode rod. You can get these on Amazon. Then at installation have the tech remove the anode rod and install the electronic rod. You will void the warranty but from what everyone has indicated the warrany is not worth much anyway. With the electronic rod the tank should last a very long time.

Second Mike Scott’s !
Check for rebates mine was done for $700 but that was in 2021 with a $200 rebate

I bought the Rheem Gladiator with auto shut off valve and leak detection and had Torri Plumbing do the install…I did have to already have the unit at my home as they do not pick up items at Home Depot. Excellent job and about $900 total. Very pleased with their professionalism and they took old heater with them. Auto Shut Off valve is a definite Plus!

I doubt that many people will do this. If a $449 water heater lasts only 8 to 10 years, I feel like I got my money's worth.

My home is all electric. Electric and tankless is not a good match.

We used Dove Plumbing. There were no issues. They came the next day after we called.

You are exactly right. Very few will ever do this. Even worse, very few will do any maintenance on their tank like draining it periodically for example. They just install it, and forget about it until it leaks or fails somehow.

If I had a choice of getting the $449.99 special from the "Chuck in a truck" company vs the $900 tank from Mike Scott, I would get the $900 tank. For the extra money I would have more peace of mind that the tank would last longer and Mike Scott would stand behind the product if anything came up.

I'm not saying this is going to happen with the $449 tank but some guys will literally unhook the old tank and replace it with the new tank using all the existing connections. When you ask why they are not replacing the connections or the expansion tank they will say something like "Oh they are fine, no need to replace". They get your money and at some point in the future you will be paying more to replace the expansion tank or whatever they didn't do.

Tankless
 

We don’t live in TV but replaced our old 40 gallon with a tankless on demand hot water heater. Had it now for about 16 months and love it. Very economical and no need to continually heat 40 gallons of water.

Hot Water Tank Maintenance
 

Why is there no space to replace the anode rod in the way they are installed.

Does anyone here replace these instead of replacing the tank itself?

I am the OP. I'm replacing the water heater today because it's 12.5 years old. Two water heaters in my Villas have failed recently. The one a couple of houses from me did a lot of damage. I'm sure a $910 is not the best, but I'm very happy to have a new one today. I can expect the plumber to arrive between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Also, Mike Scott Plumbing has a good reputation in The Villages.

water heater
 

It's simple to hook a water heater. Any decent handy man can do it and it shouldn't cost much. It may be an hours work.

Mike Scott. Cost about $900. No problems, no bullsh@t, no issues, no muss no fuss just good service and a working water heater.

We replaced ours with a 50 gal about 2-3 years ago for $1025. out the door and Dove Plumbing , Wildwood did an excellent job. They also replace some of the push-pull valves under the toilets another time.

Watts circulating pump; Yearly draining; Anode rod changed regularly
 

Whichever brand or model of water heater you choose, add a Watts pump that recirculates the hot water throughout your house. You will then have hot water at each tap within seconds. You'll save a few dollars on your monthly water bill by not wasting water while waiting for hot water to reach the taps. More important is the pleasure you'll receive by not standing naked and out of the way of the stream of water in your shower, waiting for the hot water.

Drain and flush the tank of the new water heater every year. This removes sediment from settling in the bottom of the tank. This is particularly important with gas water heaters as the sediment can grow to inches thick at the bottom of the tank requiring that it be heated before the water is heated.

Finally, replace the anode rod every 5 years. This rod will be aluminum or magnesium and is "sacrificial" which means that it will corrode instead of the iron tank. After the first replacement, you can adjust the number of years before making future replacements of the anode. If at the first replacement at 5 years, the aluminum or magnesium is completely gone, make the next replacement at 4 years. If the anode still has a fair amount of aluminum or magnesium at 5 years, you can extend the time for the next replacement to 6 years.

It is corrosion in the iron tank that, ultimately, creates a hole in the tank that requires its replacement. With regular draining of the tank and replacement of the sacrificial anode, a water heater can last for many years. Ours is now on its 22nd year. If the tank is not rusting the only parts that can fail are the heating rods in an electric heater, or the burner or the thermocouple in a gas heater.

With the heater's tank protected by a functioning sacrificial anode, the item in the system that is most likely to fail is the expansion tank. The metal wall of the expansion tank is relatively thin, will rust and, eventually, develop a leak.

I know to expect a response to this post by a good ole boy who will say that he's NEVER replaced the sacrificial anode and that doing so is a waste of money. Should you read that, remember that there are people who never change the oil in their cars.