Buyout Direct Energy Hot Water Heater

If I just replace the water heater with a new one, would I have to upgrade the exhaust pipes to ABS, or can I just replace the heater and not tell anybody anything?

There's a manufacture date on the tank. The code changed many years ago. They'll know you disobeyed the code, should anything arise (e.g. insurance claim)
Just spend the money and get it done right. What's $250 over 10+ years that the tank will last?

jjejje wrote: ↑

Mar 9th, 2012 4:31 pm

If I just replace the water heater with a new one, would I have to upgrade the exhaust pipes to ABS, or can I just replace the heater and not tell anybody anything?

If you replace the tank yourself, then you can keep the old pvc black pipe in 'cause nobody will know. But if a 'pro' had to come in and replace your tank, I believe by law they need to install the tank to an updated abs exhaust piping. I replaced my exhaust pipes for about $50-$70, something around that. Way cheaper (and pretty easy) to do it yourself!

Based on this article:
http://www.thestar.com/business/article ... otice?bn=1

I now have a sense of urgency to get rid of the rental. Buyout is $575 for an 8 year old tank.

Anyone have a 50 gallon tank installed lately? How much did you pay? Any companies you can recommend?

so if we cancel the contract by April 2 .. we will only pay $75 ? Then get another tank installed (at own cost).

That's what it looks like. I never received the notice the article talks about.

I emailed a few people on home stars who are coming out for an estimate. I will post estimates as I get them.

I received the notice / new agreement..

My heater is 12 years old but its a RP40 model (not listed in the Schedule "A") for the buyout. Thinking if I buy it out.. I won't have to buy and install a new one. Just use existing until its ready to be swapped out.

Edit: Sorry the buyout option is only effective after April 2. So it looks like I'll pay $75 (return the tank) and just get a new one installed.

is there a buyout price list? currently paying $25 per month rental. thanks.

This is from 2009:

http://www.keyframe5.com/direct-energy- ... ter-tanks/

[IMG]http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8002/scan0026s.jpg[/IMG]


Guess mine is the PV40FVIR / DV40 for the Rheem model. So $443 + tax to buy out... so about 1.5 years to be even... should of bought out sooner or just bought my own tank.

Very good news! under the old contract the buyout price doesnt follow the 2012. its way cheaper.

12 year old tank costs $150 to buyout under old contract.


Call direct energy now to buyout the tank or go for the $75 option (return tank)

belfour wrote: ↑

Mar 10th, 2012 11:12 am

Very good news! under the old contract the buyout price doesnt follow the 2012. its way cheaper.

12 year old tank costs $150 to buyout under old contract.


Call direct energy now to buyout the tank or go for the $75 option (return tank)

are the prices for the old contract online, or did you call? ours is a 60 gallon heater, around 13 years old

tvwatcher wrote: ↑

Mar 11th, 2012 11:27 am

are the prices for the old contract online, or did you call? ours is a 60 gallon heater, around 13 years old

I just called in and told me the price..

Agents try to explain this is not a buyout contract and keep telling me I can revert to old contract. I kept telling them I knew that and want to buyout anyways

One of Home Depot's contractors came out today. I have a 60 gallon tank that was installed in 2004. To replace it with a Rinnai tankless system it would cost $3400. To replace it with a new tank the installer would charge $285 for installation. The cost of the tank at Home Depot I think is $799, I am going to double check tomorrow. So to replace my tank it would cost about $1085 plus tax.

Anyone else get estimates?

dgnr8 wrote: ↑

Mar 12th, 2012 11:20 pm

One of Home Depot's contractors came out today. I have a 60 gallon tank that was installed in 2004. To replace it with a Rinnai tankless system it would cost $3400. To replace it with a new tank the installer would charge $285 for installation. The cost of the tank at Home Depot I think is $799, I am going to double check tomorrow. So to replace my tank it would cost about $1085 plus tax.

Anyone else get estimates?

If you go with home depot, get a home depot card if you don't have one.
sometimes they have the don't pay for 1 year, which is good