Replacing a water heater

[Gumbo4x4]

The permit is required by law, but I suspect it is just a way to get $100 for the county. Although this is earthquake country and there are seismic requirements here requiring even electric water heaters to be double strapped to the wall, to mounts that are secured to the studs.

Lowest priced 50 gallon electric on the Lowe's website is $278, and it only has a 6 year warranty. $400-$500 seems to be mid-level. I did almost faint at the $1,300 Whirlpool water heater they had.

The permit makes sense for initial installation. For replacement? Not so much.

 

[tvguy]

The permit makes sense for initial installation. For replacement? Not so much.

I don't disagree, but they are cracking down on, people getting caught when they sell their homes. Apparently they check the manufacture date on the water heater, the construction date for the home, and the permit files if the manufacture date if after the homes final inspection. I can see it more with a gas water heater.

 

[JanaDee]

That's outrageous! It takes less than an hour to install. I just replaced ours. And the $450 for the tank depends on how rich you are. That has to be the top of the line. I bought mine at Lowe's for $229 minus 10% employee discount since my wife works there. What the heck do you need a permit for also? It's just a water tank.

Sometimes cheapest isn't always best.

 

[DaretoDis]

Warrantywise, there isn't hardly any difference between the 6, 9, and 12 year warrantied water heaters. The manfucturers just gamble that a 6 year WH will last more than 6 years, hence they are able to charge more up front for a 12 year warranty.

 

[lakelandgal70]

We just had a new one installed today. 800 bucks. A plumber installed it and it has a 5yr warranty but the element only has 1 yr warranty. Our old one was at least 17yrs old

 

[powellrj]

we also just replaced one today, we got it at lowes and it was a 40 gallon with installation it was $559. Its for my parents and it was easier to just call Lowes and have them take care of it.

 

[chrissyt27]

we got a new one at Menards with a 6 year warranty. They were doing there 11% back offer. Ours was 12 years old and not fully working. It was probably full of sediment. I had a handy man install it for $125. Ours was electric. I would get a new one if you have the money. Watch for the 11% sale to come back, although they just did it again last week.

 

[minniecarousel]

We got ours from Costco with a great warranty. We needed county permits which were taken care of thru the company that Costco uses. We charged on our Costco AmEx so we got the extra cash back on it too. We are not "handy people" so didn't even consider replacing it ourselves.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

We got one put in a couple months ago. It was a little over $600 (including the installation).