Can I replace a water heater?

mass_burner said:

Okay, what would be the necessary skill level to do it? The plumber who gave the estimate said direct vent is code. I see 3 connections, water in, out and gas in. Can't I just get the same basic model and replace as is.

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I just replaced my gas water heater. I was very comfortable cutting and sweating copper pipe and the gas connection was basically unhooking existing pipe, doping and reconnecting to the new hot water heater. Everything lined up perfect. All depending on your abilities.

If you have 220v power just switch to an electric tank, no code problems with the venting system.

I have no idea what the codes and laws are where you are .
Here in Ontario Canada all work must be done by a lic HVAC teck .
with a Gas 2 Lic. . This protects you if anything should happen
Also your ins company will pay for any damages like FIRE or
K-BOOM . Other than that it is very easy to change if you have the
skill set

Well I personally think it's a simple job. But I am a pipe fitter. How many gallons is tank a 40 gal is about $1100 around here. Heater like a good Bradford white cost $400

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The job is $1100. Sorry

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It is easy. But if you're asking, you need a friend that is good at everything to show you the way. That is why I do when I'm not sure which way to go.

mass_burner said:

I do have 220 service. Doesn't an electric tank use more energy?

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That's an odd question. The electric tank actually uses less energy since it is 100% efficient and the gas heater is not. However, the cost per unit of energy in your area might be much lower for gas than electricity so even though the gas heater wastes a ton of energy, it would be cheaper to heat water that way.

Yes you can absolutely do it.

After reading a thousand people saying "no don't install propane lines yourself, you'll die!!" I ran a bunch of black pipe and changed over my electric cooktop to propane. Propane company pressure tested for leaks... all good.

Take your time and do lots of research.

sure direct vent is code, but so is vent hood, and you already have that installed. if you can buy a vent hood at your local HD, its probably still cod3, or its grandfathered. if you dont want to learn soldering, cut the pipe and use pex sharkbite. your hardest steps will be draining and removing the old tank. i woudnt pay over 500 to have someone else do the work, at that point im better off DIY.

mass_burner said:

I do have 220 service. Doesn't an electric tank use more energy?

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As BeGreen said it depends on the costs of various forms of energy where and when you are. There are some free spreadsheets out there that you can use to calculate the relative costs of each.

Also, just because you have 220 volt service does not mean that you have the ampacity (amperage capacity) required to add an electric water heater. It depends upon both the rating of your utility "service" entering the house and the capacity of your existing fuse/breaker panel.

The electric water heaters only require a 30 amp breaker and only consume 4500 watts when they run.

I thought all new water heaters have to be power venter now. Any truth to that?

mass_burner said:

I do have 220 service. Doesn't an electric tank use more energy?

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No. Cost of electricity vs. gas might be more per btu, but no chimney or vent to lose heat to though. We have electric, and it costs about $25/mo of $0.18/kwh electricity for hot water during the non-heating season, family of 5. Pretty hard to beat factoring in up front costs & simplicity.

$1900 would buy a lot of electrically heated water.

I would also look into a heat pump hot water heater. There is a long thread over in The Green Room on the GE GeoSpring specifically, but there are others as well. I've had my GE for 2-3 years now and no issues. At the time there were a bunch of rebates, so I think it cost me $500 ish? which is about what a regular electric costs.

Running the wire was not too hard, plenty of YouTube videos and forum posts on how to do it right and not get killed. I think the most expensive part of the electric side was the permit.

Keep it simple. Get the closest size as the one you have. Height and diameter. That way the connections don't have to be extended much. The last time I changed mine I converted the water and gas to flexible metal. The next time they can move a bit.

i went with electric on demand.... i love it, but I also was replacing the entire electrical service and the plumbing. The one I got for my whole house requires a 200amp panel, with 2 60AMP breakers.

The amp draw is a deal breaker with these(on demand)for me . Standing loss is all that saved, which is minimal these days. Check your area for rebates ,as the HPWH may be practically free, as it was for me and uses 550 Watts to heat 50 Gallons.

got any friends that drink beer?