Domestic water heater failed.

**luchobucho** · 09-19-2012, 09:15 AM

Woke up to a cold shower and water on the floor. Draining it the rest of the way.

Suggestions on replacement?

**billy ross** · 09-19-2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by luchobucho

Woke up to a cold shower and water on the floor. Draining it the rest of the way.

Suggestions on replacement?

Bradford-White. If you want to be a real hardass, put in a Ruud.

**raider.adam** · 09-19-2012, 10:41 AM

Does your domestic water heater also cook and clean?

Billy, are there still any tax credits for certain water heaters that he should keep in mind? I don't recall if they expired or not.

**luchobucho** · 09-25-2012, 01:32 PM

Just an update. Got my heater installed by a local plumber. 800 installed with haul away and a couple new 1/4 turn ball valve shutoffs around the basement.

**billy ross** · 09-25-2012, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by luchobucho

Just an update. Got my heater installed by a local plumber. 800 installed with haul away and a couple new 1/4 turn ball valve shutoffs around the basement.

What kind of tank?

**radioagony** · 09-25-2012, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by luchobucho

Just an update. Got my heater installed by a local plumber. 800 installed with haul away and a couple new 1/4 turn ball valve shutoffs around the basement.

that's actually a pretty good price in an "emergency" situation like that. would you recommend the plumber? i'm looking for a decent one...

**luchobucho** · 09-26-2012, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by radioagony

that's actually a pretty good price in an "emergency" situation like that. would you recommend the plumber? i'm looking for a decent one...

No. I would only recommend them for pretty straight forward stuff and only in an emergency. They do decent work but they aren't super courteous or careful. Rey dropped the old water eater on my slate kitchen floor. All they could manage was "oops". One time I had em out for a quote and they were super high and tried to sell me on a lot of unnecessary work. But there price was good for the water heater and they were available.

**radioagony** · 09-26-2012, 09:34 AM

That's disappointing. The guy who did my hot water heater broke a lamp AND completely ripped me off on the price. Yesterday I got stood up by a plumber who then proceeded to ignore my phone calls. Not sure why it's so difficult to find a good one.

**raider.adam** · 09-26-2012, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by radioagony

That's disappointing. The guy who did my hot water heater broke a lamp AND completely ripped me off on the price. Yesterday I got stood up by a plumber who then proceeded to ignore my phone calls. Not sure why it's so difficult to find a good one.

Best Choice Plumbing is very good.

**billy ross** · 09-26-2012, 01:30 PM

Still waiting to find out what brand/manufacturer they installed.

**luchobucho** · 09-26-2012, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by billy ross

Still waiting to find out what brand/manufacturer they installed.

Sorry missed your post. They installed a Bradford white. There was a 30 gallon there. I hade them put in a 40 gallon unit. Almost the same dimensions. 2 inches bigger in diameter and an inch or 2 taller.

**jettore** · 09-27-2012, 10:02 PM

These guys have done good work for me in the past.

Matteo Edward E Plumbing
Address
510 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Telephone
215-925-6648

**Reds** · 03-20-2013, 04:27 PM

So what's the going rate for a non-emergency water heater replacement, including removal from basement and haul-away of the ancient one? I imagine there are a number of variables, but my current one is a gas Bradford White, 40 gallons, 34k btu. I know that it's very old and has been showing signs of crapping out for the last couple of years (water doesn't stay hot for the full duration of a shower, etc). I think it's time to bite the bullet and replace it, and obviously I'd prefer to do it on a non-emergency basis.

I have Joseph Giannone Plumbing coming to tomorrow to check it out and give an estimate, just wondering what I should be expecting. Would like to arm myself with knowledge to know if the price they ultimately quote is reasonable or ridiculous or somewhere in between.

**billy ross** · 03-20-2013, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Reds

So what's the going rate for a non-emergency water heater replacement, including removal from basement and haul-away of the ancient one? I imagine there are a number of variables, but it's gas and 40 gallons. I know that mine is very old and has been showing signs of crapping out for the last couple of years (water doesn't stay hot for the full duration of a shower, etc). I think it's time to bite the bullet and replace it, and obviously I'd prefer to do it on a non-emergency basis.

I have Joseph Giannone Plumbing coming to tomorrow to check it out and give an estimate, just wondering what I should be expecting. Would like to arm myself with knowledge to know if the price they ultimately quote is reasonable or ridiculous or somewhere in between.

$750 installed would be on the cheap side.

**Reds** · 03-20-2013, 06:29 PM

To sort of answer my own question, per other old threads, looks like I should be looking at the $700-$800 range. But not sure if that includes replacements with higher efficiency energy star ratings. (??) I'm not entertaining tankless options at this point. Also, it appears that I should be looking for another Bradford White or a Ruud (if they are even still manufactured at this point).

Steve at Water Heater Express just quoted me $675 for a 40 gal Rheem installed, with a 6-year warranty. This one has an energy efficiency rating of .59, which appears to be the lowest available among modern models. He says he doesn't think paying extra for higher efficiency models is actually worth it, as the efficiency savings will only likely help you break even over time, at best. Is that sound advice? Also, is Rheem crap? Should I go Bradford White or bust?

**Reds** · 03-20-2013, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by billy ross

$750 installed would be on the cheap side.

Thanks. Does that assume energy star or generally higher efficiency than standard?

Also:
Should I be focusing on (or avoiding) certain manufacturers--other than Bradford White and Ruud mentioned above?

Does few one hundredths in increased energy rating really stand to help help you save money? (I suppose this is based on the assumptions used for the life expectancy of the unit overall.)

What should I look for in terms of warranty? 6 year? 12 year?

I obviously need a water heating purchasing consultant.

**NJbound** · 03-20-2013, 08:15 PM

we have a Bradford-White Defender Hydrojet. Parts/labor 10 year warranty. Has an efficiency rating of .67. Very happy with it. Has a power vent blower system with external air intake

**Reds** · 03-21-2013, 01:23 PM

Well, in case this tidbit is helpful to anyone in the future, I decided to use Giannone plumbing, who installs Bradford White exclusively (at least for tank installations, not sure what they use for tankless). Model #M-1-403S6FBN--$885 installed. Defender Hydrojet, "energy saver" model, 40 gallon, 40K BTU, 59% energy rating. 6 year tank and parts warranty.

I found the sticker on the old BW and realized it was installed in 1991. Giannone's price was $200 more than the other guy who would've installed the Rheen with the same energy rating, but I figure since the last BW heater lasted 22+ years with no maintenance, I mind as well do a plug-and-play replacement with the same manufacturer. Just by virtue of the fact that it's 20 years newer, this one will run more efficiently so hopefully I'll see some savings on a monthly basis.

**billy ross** · 04-03-2013, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by Reds

Well, in case this tidbit is helpful to anyone in the future, I decided to use Giannone plumbing, who installs Bradford White exclusively (at least for tank installations, not sure what they use for tankless). Model #M-1-403S6FBN--$885 installed. Defender Hydrojet, "energy saver" model, 40 gallon, 40K BTU, 59% energy rating. 6 year tank and parts warranty.

I found the sticker on the old BW and realized it was installed in 1991. Giannone's price was $200 more than the other guy who would've installed the Rheen with the same energy rating, but I figure since the last BW heater lasted 22+ years with no maintenance, I mind as well do a plug-and-play replacement with the same manufacturer. Just by virtue of the fact that it's 20 years newer, this one will run more efficiently so hopefully I'll see some savings on a monthly basis.

Why did you pay $885 for a .59 efficient unit? That's high. The price I gave you was for a Bradford, which is the industry standard around these parts. .59 efficiency is the standard around here, btw.

**Reds** · 04-03-2013, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by billy ross

Why did you pay $885 for a .59 efficient unit? That's high. The price I gave you was for a Bradford, which is the industry standard around these parts. .59 efficiency is the standard around here, btw.

You didn't actually give me a price--you said "$750 installed would be on the cheap side" without specifications. I accepted that I was probably paying on the higher end but I've had Giannone do other HVAC and plumbing work at my place and I was always happy with the service. And they were the first to respond indicating they'd install a Bradford, actually. I was willing to pay an extra ~$100 to know that the person coming in my home will do good work, be courteous, clean up, etc. Also, I'm not sure how much longer I'll personally be living in that space and even a standard .59 efficiency will be a big improvement over the 22 year old model I've been running.

FWIW, my showers have been glorious since the day of the installation. I am happy.