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Across the Fence:  Holy cow, hot water tanks are expensive!!!  |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
 Posted - May 16 2008 : 10:42:06 AM
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Ours broke last night and flooded the pantry . DH said, we'll just cut back on the groceries this week and he'll pick one up on his way home today. He thought they were around $100. I think he's been out of the plumbing business too long. The cheapest one I could find (with a short warranty) is $250
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 11:07:36 AM
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| sorry to hear about your not-so-good luck with the hot water heater...but it gave me a "heads up" as ours is (we think) 13 years old and we'll probably be in the same boat pretty soon. ugh! $250??? is that just for the unit or does that include installation? (please say that's installed with 14k gold plating on the side!!) have a good weekend! sue |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 11:44:43 AM
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It really depends on the size and whether electric or gas. Ours was $180 because it's just the 2 of us and we don't use that much hot water. My husband and his father installed it together...and it's a gas hot water heater. I'd say that's about right, though.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 11:52:11 AM
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Installation of a gas hot water heater in Tulsa is outrageously expensive - I was going to replace mine last year but decided to forget it! I couldn't find anything for under $300 or $400 and that didn't include installation. Good luck Lisa!
~Amanda in OK~
Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered by your old nonsense. -Emerson |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 11:54:39 AM
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| Tip after installing a new water heater. Use a Sharpie to write the date installed on either the insulating cover or directly on the metal top. Helps you and also the repairman if he ever needs to come. If you have to replace an element, write that down too. I also put a gallon sized zipper bag on the side with all the paperwork that comes with the heater. |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 11:55:59 AM
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Sorry, Sue, that's just for the tank. DH was a plumber in NY, so I guess I can count myself fortunate that we don't have to hire a plumber on top of that! And the new tank just has a regular steel lining which corrodes over time, so it only has a 6 year warranty. The better one, with a stainless steel lining and a 9 year warranty, is $299!
We suspected it might be going during the winter when the hot water suddenly got waaaaay too hot when nobody turned it up. So, dh turned the temp down to get it back to the way we like it. The temp fluctuated a couple more times during the winter and we kept hoping it would hold out til we were better situated (mid-summer). So much for that.
I was really hoping to get a tank-less heater to save space in my pantry, but they're over $300 AND you have to order it and wait for it to come in. That just won't work for us. Whoever put this tank in, never put a shut-off valve on it, so we have to turn the water off at the street, turn it on when we need water and go out and shut it off again. There is also no shut-off valve for the house. Any plumbing problem we've ever had we had to shut off at the street. We can't wait for shipping. DH keeps saying he's going to re-do all the plumbing so it's done right, but that hasn't happened yet ;)
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 12:03:58 PM
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Oh, another thing about the tankless heaters-the guy at Home Depot and another guy at Grover's (heating/plumbing supply) said that the electric tankless heaters don't really save you much money because it has to draw a LOT of power to heat the water that quickly and the new tanks are much better insulated now, anyway. He said since our tank is inside the house where it's warm we probably wouldn't see much savings if any on the power bill. The alternative would be gas, but that would mean I'd have to put a propane tank in my yard. Yuck! So tankless would only be for space saving.
Alee, the price is great on that tankless one you sent me to. I'll go back to it to see how fast it can get here and if there are any special plumbing parts, procedures to install it.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 12:25:03 PM
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Man o man, Alee! We can't use that one. It's only for a single sink or something small like that. We would have to buy the one labled "whole house" for $502 or the next one up for $644!
Well, so much for buying one just to save space. I think I'll just lose the space and keep my money! Also, if you don't have a 200 amp breaker, you have to have one installed to handle it. These things apparently aren't the great deal they appear to be. Bummer
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2008 : 1:57:24 PM
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I have to replace mine one of these days too. I am sort of lucky, I have an "in" as well. My Ex is a HVAC Pipefitter and can get me one for cost (plus a case of beer) and he can install it for me.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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Txfarmgal
True Blue Farmgirl
585 Posts
AK
USA
585 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2008 : 7:22:51 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by lisamarie508
Ours broke last night and flooded the pantry. DH said, we'll just cut back on the groceries this week and he'll pick one up on his way home today. He thought they were around $100. I think he's been out of the plumbing business too long. The cheapest one I could find (with a short warranty) is $250
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
oh lisa marie, we had ours go about 2 yrs ago and it was about $500 but under home warranty, what a mess though. I hope you find one soon for a good price. hugs
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm
AngiK
For he is faithful that promised. Hebrews 10:23
check out Texas 4H! http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ |
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Aunt B
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Terri
Chillicothe
OH
USA
108 Posts |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2008 : 06:32:34 AM
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We got lucky and found a used one that is just a little over a year old for $140. That saved us quite a bit.
Alee, that consultant site you listed said I needed the big one for $600 and some. The cheaper ones that they advertise ahead of the big ones are only for "point of use" like in an extra 1/2 bath or at a business that only has a toilet and sink. That's ok. It's done now. This one should last for a while.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2008 : 10:12:54 AM
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I see, Lisa! That's too bad! They sure are a great idea but the $$$ is a bit prohibitive. :( I hope that when we get our own house we can install either a tankless or a solar powered one- I know they are bit more expensive (okay a lot more expensive) but you hope that the energy savings would pay for the extra cost.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2008 : 12:55:03 PM
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We have an on demand water heater that we installed when we build our home 2 years ago. That means we have a small tank with a coil in it and it heats the water when as we use it. It is integrated with our boiler for the furnace, which is integrated to our outside wood burning boiler. When we built our house we investigated many heating plants and settled on this type of system. I do have to say that it has been very efficient with fuel bills of $190.00, 2006-2007. That does not include DH's time and gas for travel and chain saw to get wood but he does not pay for any of the wood and we call it his exercise so that cuts down on YMCA memberships. The up front cost was huge about 10K but in the end I think this last year we only used 1-150 gallon propane tank in addition to our wood. Our dryer and stove are propane also. We also have done a lot with electricity, with having zones and lot of switches for lights. Our monthly electric bill including my husbands business is less then $200 per month where our old house alone was over $200 per month and his business $400. SO sometimes the upfront expense is worth the money in savings over the years. We planned on the heating plant to pay for itself in 5 years but with the cost of fuel these days we figure it will be down to about 3 years for a pay off. Our house is 1800 sq. ft. with a 300 sq. ft open loft and a 2400sq ft. exposed basement. So its an average house. Our basement does have in the floor hot water heat to keep our feet warm. 
http://www.bboopster.blogspot.com
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2008 : 4:57:07 PM
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Sounds like a really nice system you have going there, Betty Jo. That is a huge up front cost. One in which you would have to plan for. I would love to have a solar hot water heater, but again, it's something you have to plan for.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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Across the Fence: Holy cow, hot water tanks are expensive!!! |
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Holy cow, hot water tanks are expensive!!!
