[bagboy]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

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.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by bagboy

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.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

.
.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.

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

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.

[pokeefe45@aol.com]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

. 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.

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.

[phousel]

Originally Posted by DAVES

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.

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)

[Songbird]

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.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Songbird

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.

[JGibson]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

O.I.C. Mice don't have the same "freedom of speech" as the rest of us! 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.

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.

[nn0wheremann]

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

[rustyp]

Any estimates from Frank Gay ?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Songbird

Contrary to some replies, do NOT use Lowes or Home Depot. .

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

[retiredguy123]

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.

[Down Sized]

AO SMITH
Gets my money

[shut the front door]

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?

[Dave951]

Has anyone installed a tank less electric water heater