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.