Water Heaters

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I
I Wear Pants
Posts: 16,223
Dec 20, 2009 7:18pm
Our water heater just kicked the bucket and I'm now doing the requisite internet searching of what brand/size/style of water heater would be a good replacement.

Any good/bad recommendations or experiences?
H
hang_loose
Posts: 802
Dec 20, 2009 7:44pm
I'm waiting for mine to die so I can get one of the tankless water heaters.

Anyone have any troubles with one of them?
Thunder70's avatar
Thunder70
Posts: 748
Dec 20, 2009 7:53pm
hang_loose wrote: I'm waiting for mine to die so I can get one of the tankless water heaters.

Anyone have any troubles with one of them?
Me too...mine is running on 18 years...
GoChiefs's avatar
GoChiefs
Posts: 16,754
Dec 20, 2009 8:08pm
Now since you said that..if your luck is anything like mine..you will be replacing it in the morning. :)
H
hang_loose
Posts: 802
Dec 20, 2009 8:14pm
GoChiefs, Thats funny but true................
Thunder70's avatar
Thunder70
Posts: 748
Dec 20, 2009 8:22pm
True...Stupid luck...
wes_mantooth's avatar
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
Dec 20, 2009 8:43pm
I know 3 people that have the tankless water heaters and they think they are the best thing ever. I think they cost a lot more, but apparently they heat up very quick.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 20, 2009 9:45pm
Get the kind from the electric company.

They're like 115 gallon and cost next to nothing plus they install it for you.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 20, 2009 9:48pm
I
I Wear Pants
Posts: 16,223
Dec 20, 2009 11:34pm
Yeah but that has a monthly cost (couldn't find the monthly fee for water heaters but their other services like stoves were around $15 a month).

Let's assume this water heater costs $15 a month. Ten years and that's $1800.

The tank that just quit on us has (had) lasted 36 years. $6480.

Looks like it isn't such a bargain.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 21, 2009 1:41am
I Wear Pants wrote: Yeah but that has a monthly cost (couldn't find the monthly fee for water heaters but their other services like stoves were around $15 a month).

Let's assume this water heater costs $15 a month. Ten years and that's $1800.

The tank that just quit on us has (had) lasted 36 years. $6480.

Looks like it isn't such a bargain.
The 15.00 per month is correct but it also saves a lot on your electric bill where it only heats once per day unless you push the override button.

It offsets somehow between the bill being lower and something else.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 21, 2009 1:42am
I Wear Pants wrote: The tank that just quit on us has (had) lasted 36 years. $6480.
Good luck finding another tank that kick ass.
GoChiefs's avatar
GoChiefs
Posts: 16,754
Dec 21, 2009 6:26am
Chesapeake wrote: Good luck finding another tank that kick ass.
I agree..they don't make anything anymore that's going to last 36 years. You'll be lucky if you get 15-20 years out of the ones they make today.
J
justcompete
Posts: 263
Dec 21, 2009 10:15am
If you look into things close enough, you can get a tax break if you buy a heater with a certain efficiency. The tankless are nice but I would wait a few years to switch. They are relatively new in this country and bugs are still being worked out. Yes, I sell them.
I
I Wear Pants
Posts: 16,223
Dec 21, 2009 10:26am
Chesapeake wrote:
I Wear Pants wrote: Yeah but that has a monthly cost (couldn't find the monthly fee for water heaters but their other services like stoves were around $15 a month).

Let's assume this water heater costs $15 a month. Ten years and that's $1800.

The tank that just quit on us has (had) lasted 36 years. $6480.

Looks like it isn't such a bargain.
The 15.00 per month is correct but it also saves a lot on your electric bill where it only heats once per day unless you push the override button.

Edit: And it's a miracle this one lasted that long, especially with how hard our water is. Like, blackeyes from the shower hard.

It offsets somehow between the bill being lower and something else.
I should mention we use natural gas.
Go4alOngbOmB's avatar
Go4alOngbOmB
Posts: 673
Dec 21, 2009 10:37am
With this AWHR, can I get this water heater no matter who my electric service provider is? To me, 15 dollars a month would be a fair price, especially since my water heater is literally on its last last LAST leg. (I actually dont know how its still operating, its amazing in its own right) This seems like an interesting deal for me to consider going into the new year. I have a small 2 bedroom house with one bathroom. Usually only 3 short showers are taken a day in my home (I found a woman who doesnt spend an hour in there, praise the lord) and I usually do laundry in cold water to save energy....and not shrink my clothes anyhow. How large of a tank does everyone think I should get?

Thanks for the input.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 21, 2009 1:41pm
I Wear Pants wrote:
Chesapeake wrote:
I Wear Pants wrote: Yeah but that has a monthly cost (couldn't find the monthly fee for water heaters but their other services like stoves were around $15 a month).

Let's assume this water heater costs $15 a month. Ten years and that's $1800.

The tank that just quit on us has (had) lasted 36 years. $6480.

Looks like it isn't such a bargain.
The 15.00 per month is correct but it also saves a lot on your electric bill where it only heats once per day unless you push the override button.

Edit: And it's a miracle this one lasted that long, especially with how hard our water is. Like, blackeyes from the shower hard.

It offsets somehow between the bill being lower and something else.
I should mention we use natural gas.
So did we and it was leaking natural gas into my bedroom almost killing me when it went out.

They installed the electric one.
I
I Wear Pants
Posts: 16,223
Dec 21, 2009 1:42pm
^^^ That's what's great about living in a big old drafty house. I think I could have tear gas pumped into the house and not even notice.

Go4alOngbOmB wrote: With this AWHR, can I get this water heater no matter who my electric service provider is? To me, 15 dollars a month would be a fair price, especially since my water heater is literally on its last last LAST leg. (I actually dont know how its still operating, its amazing in its own right) This seems like an interesting deal for me to consider going into the new year. I have a small 2 bedroom house with one bathroom. Usually only 3 short showers are taken a day in my home (I found a woman who doesnt spend an hour in there, praise the lord) and I usually do laundry in cold water to save energy....and not shrink my clothes anyhow. How large of a tank does everyone think I should get?

Thanks for the input.
Don't quote me on the fifteen bucks a month. I couldn't find what their water heater prices were so I just went with the average price of their washers/dryers/stoves.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 21, 2009 2:20pm
I Wear Pants wrote: ^^^ That's what's great about living in a big old drafty house. I think I could have tear gas pumped into the house and not even notice.

Go4alOngbOmB wrote: With this AWHR, can I get this water heater no matter who my electric service provider is? To me, 15 dollars a month would be a fair price, especially since my water heater is literally on its last last LAST leg. (I actually dont know how its still operating, its amazing in its own right) This seems like an interesting deal for me to consider going into the new year. I have a small 2 bedroom house with one bathroom. Usually only 3 short showers are taken a day in my home (I found a woman who doesnt spend an hour in there, praise the lord) and I usually do laundry in cold water to save energy....and not shrink my clothes anyhow. How large of a tank does everyone think I should get?

Thanks for the input.
Don't quote me on the fifteen bucks a month. I couldn't find what their water heater prices were so I just went with the average price of their washers/dryers/stoves.
It was 15 years ago when we got one and it was 12.00 or so per month.

This was brought up about a year ago on Old Huddle and I think I remember them saying it's still in the 15.00 range.

I remember the 100+ gallons of hot water and taking long showers.

One of those too good to be true deals that are real.

The tank was as big around as a 55 gallon drum though.

They installed ours in a back room because that was the only place there was room for it.

I figure they've made them smaller since then.
I
I Wear Pants
Posts: 16,223
Dec 21, 2009 4:53pm
Chesapeake wrote:
I Wear Pants wrote: ^^^ That's what's great about living in a big old drafty house. I think I could have tear gas pumped into the house and not even notice.

Go4alOngbOmB wrote: With this AWHR, can I get this water heater no matter who my electric service provider is? To me, 15 dollars a month would be a fair price, especially since my water heater is literally on its last last LAST leg. (I actually dont know how its still operating, its amazing in its own right) This seems like an interesting deal for me to consider going into the new year. I have a small 2 bedroom house with one bathroom. Usually only 3 short showers are taken a day in my home (I found a woman who doesnt spend an hour in there, praise the lord) and I usually do laundry in cold water to save energy....and not shrink my clothes anyhow. How large of a tank does everyone think I should get?

Thanks for the input.
Don't quote me on the fifteen bucks a month. I couldn't find what their water heater prices were so I just went with the average price of their washers/dryers/stoves.
It was 15 years ago when we got one and it was 12.00 or so per month.

This was brought up about a year ago on Old Huddle and I think I remember them saying it's still in the 15.00 range.

I remember the 100+ gallons of hot water and taking long showers.

One of those too good to be true deals that are real.

The tank was as big around as a 55 gallon drum though.

They installed ours in a back room because that was the only place there was room for it.

I figure they've made them smaller since then.
Well I doubt they made 100 gallons somehow take up less space. Space isn't really a problem as I said big, old house.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 21, 2009 5:06pm
I Wear Pants wrote:
Chesapeake wrote:
I Wear Pants wrote: ^^^ That's what's great about living in a big old drafty house. I think I could have tear gas pumped into the house and not even notice.

Go4alOngbOmB wrote: With this AWHR, can I get this water heater no matter who my electric service provider is? To me, 15 dollars a month would be a fair price, especially since my water heater is literally on its last last LAST leg. (I actually dont know how its still operating, its amazing in its own right) This seems like an interesting deal for me to consider going into the new year. I have a small 2 bedroom house with one bathroom. Usually only 3 short showers are taken a day in my home (I found a woman who doesnt spend an hour in there, praise the lord) and I usually do laundry in cold water to save energy....and not shrink my clothes anyhow. How large of a tank does everyone think I should get?

Thanks for the input.
Don't quote me on the fifteen bucks a month. I couldn't find what their water heater prices were so I just went with the average price of their washers/dryers/stoves.
It was 15 years ago when we got one and it was 12.00 or so per month.

This was brought up about a year ago on Old Huddle and I think I remember them saying it's still in the 15.00 range.

I remember the 100+ gallons of hot water and taking long showers.

One of those too good to be true deals that are real.

The tank was as big around as a 55 gallon drum though.

They installed ours in a back room because that was the only place there was room for it.

I figure they've made them smaller since then.
Well I doubt they made 100 gallons somehow take up less space. Space isn't really a problem as I said big, old house.
Sign up then.
P
Prescott
Posts: 2,569
Dec 21, 2009 6:41pm
We actually get a monthly credit on our electric because we rent the water heater from awhr. This year my cost to rent will average just under $ 8.00/month because of the aforementioned credit..
A
adog
Posts: 567
Dec 21, 2009 7:10pm
By brother just got 1 installed by Electric company maybe 2 months ago.....115 gallon but not sure what he pays...I myself am looking into the the tankless in the next year or so..
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 21, 2009 7:44pm
adog wrote: By brother just got 1 installed by Electric company maybe 2 months ago.....115 gallon but not sure what he pays...I myself am looking into the the tankless in the next year or so..
I think the site said they do tankless too.
Chesapeake's avatar
Chesapeake
Posts: 1,603
Dec 21, 2009 7:47pm
This states they have gas hot water heaters too and you can choose the size.

http://www.awhr.com/products-pricing/productpricingmatrix.html

And here is the info on tankless heater.

http://www.awhr.com/Landing/LandingForm.aspx