When I arrived home from Colorado, I found a dead hot water heater. I was so thankful it didn’t do anything really bad like explode or flood my basement.
Anyway, I had the plumber come and he gave me a list of things he would have to do when he replaced it. These were extra things I would be charged for in addition to the hot water heater and installing it. I asked him, “Do I really need this?’ There were things like a pan to go under it. Since my hot water heater was 18 inches from the drain I really didn’t need it. I saved $25.
They then were going to drill holes in my wall and add vents right next to the door in that room that I always keep opened. I asked why do I have to have vents when I have a huge opening where my door is? I discovered that if I take the door off I wouldn’t need the vents. Since I don’t use that door anyway I took the door off. Saved another $35.
I know I sound like a broken record but it does pay to ask. I do this at the doctors office, the dentist and many other places. My plumber was really nice about it and willing to work with me. Don’t be afraid to ask. I asked just 2 questions and I saved $60 plus he even said he would take the door off for me for nothing. Oh happy day! ! :-)
-Jill
Photo By: johncarljohnson
Can’t figure out the vent unless you use gas or fuel instead of electricity. Our tank is right beside the washer and dryier in an open basement so if it is in a small room maybe it is necessary.
Wrap the pipes and some places sell blankets to wrap the tank. looks like a quilted horse blanket some people swear by it. Others say if the tank is being used the heat will keep the basement that much warmer.
I figure wrap it and save the heat for the water.
You were smart to ask. And lucky it didn’t leak.
One house we rented the tank started leaking during the night and I woke up to water all over the kitchen floor. Land lord tried to blame us but it turns out it was 50 years old and just wore out.
Also I was told to get the smallest tank you need. If you are a family of 1 or 2 why do you need a huge tank that could service a family of 10. bigger is not always better.
We use gas for our hot water heaters here. Yes use the smallest tank you can get by with. I have always wanted what I think is called a “flash” hot water heater. You attach them to each place you need hot water like under the sink, by the washer and then when you use hot water it heats it instantly and you only use what you need at that time, it doesn’t store a bunch of hot water and keep its it hot.
When I lived in my log cabin the basic shell was suppose to be an office and I bought it to use for a home. Well they didn’t have a space to put a hot water heater at all. 3 plumbers later and much head scratching we finally figured out to get a very tiny one and put it on a platform up in a small closet. I took very fast showers when I lived there. I had a beautiful 6 1/2 ft (huge) claw foot tub for a bath but couldn’t take a bath much because my hot water heater only filled it up about 6 inches up the side. What a bummer and waste of a good tub. : )
Many times, you only have to replace the heating elements and they run about $30. I have done this many times. Also, it is good to drain your hot water heater once a year to get rid of the sediment. Turn it off, hook a hose to it and run it out a door or window or down a drain.
Let it refill before turning it back on. It should have a handle to turn the water off and on.
i always wanted one of those water heater that look like thermostats .. adn from what i was told they are super energy efficient .. the only thing? when u want hot water, u just turn it on 30 mins b4 u need it (or want hot water) and u will have all the hot water u want .. and when ur done, turn it off .. so u dont pay to keep the water hot ..
of course i am not sure if this is true but if it is .. that would be awesome ..
Rose, that is what I have and you do not have to let it run thirty minutes. The close you are to the unit the quicker you get it. I get hot water in my bathroom a less than a minute. Out in the kitchen, I have to let it run about a minute. You can get a main one that covers the whole house or you can get little ones to go to each area, like under the sinks. Costs more up front but mine has saved me hundreds of $$$ in less electric.
My water heater died last year, and leaked. It was only 18 inches from the drain, but the water still went under the wall and soaked the carpet in the next room. I was happy to pay for a pan under my new water heater to prevent that mess again.
In a case like that you do need a pan but mine is just in a concrete basement with concrete walls and floor. I have had it flood in here from leaks thru the windows about four times without any damage that is why I didn’t think a leaking hot water heater would be a problem. Of course if I had carpet or had mine on a other level of the house I would need a pan.
This is really a good way to save energy on heater..