Need a new water heater ASAP

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Oct 22nd, 2020 6:53 pm

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Oct 22nd, 2020 5:14 pm

ah_b [OP]: Member; Aug 15, 2009; 251 posts; 55 upvotes

Oct 22nd, 2020 5:14 pm

Need a new water heater ASAP

My water heater (under Enercare) just broke and I've decided to buy one outright instead of renting a new one from Enercare. I'm debating between two options:

1) Buying one outright from Enercare
2) Buying one from Home Depot and having it installed

Enercare quoted me roughly 1200 + Tax to install a new 50 Gallon Conventional Water Heater with an efficiency rating around .6 - .61.

Looking on the Home Depot website, it looks like the one I would most comparable one to Enercare is https://www.homedepot.ca/product/rheem- ... 1000792347

However I could also get https://www.homedepot.ca/product/rheem- ... 1000792353 which is almost 200 more expensive.

Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated!

6 replies

Oct 22nd, 2020 5:26 pm

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 9714 posts; 5110 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Oct 22nd, 2020 5:26 pm

The difference between the two is said to be the mass of the anode rod. If you have inclination and the clearance to take the rod out and inspect/replace every few years, you could go for the cheaper one.

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

Oct 22nd, 2020 5:33 pm

ah_b [OP]: Member; Aug 15, 2009; 251 posts; 55 upvotes

Oct 22nd, 2020 5:33 pm

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ The difference between the two is said to be the mass of the anode rod. If you have inclination and the clearance to take the rod out and inspect/replace every few years, you could go for the cheaper one.

Sorry for a simple question, so you're saying the cheaper one has a bigger anode rod, so if I ever need to replace it I need enough clearance for it?

Oct 22nd, 2020 5:51 pm

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 9714 posts; 5110 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Oct 22nd, 2020 5:51 pm

ah_b wrote: ↑ Sorry for a simple question, so you're saying the cheaper one has a bigger anode rod, so if I ever need to replace it I need enough clearance for it?

No, the more expensive one (with the longer warranty) has got the bigger one, which is why the warranty is longer (appears to be the difference between tanks with different warranties from the same manufacturer). The rods vary in length (seems it is usually up to 40") so you may not be able to get a long one in (or out) if the ceiling where the HWT is located is too low (or have to cut it or get a flexible....)

The rod is sacrificial so it corrodes away when water is heated. Once it is corroded away, the tank itself becomes the anode and starts to corrode.

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

Oct 22nd, 2020 6:14 pm

ah_b [OP]: Member; Aug 15, 2009; 251 posts; 55 upvotes

Oct 22nd, 2020 6:14 pm

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ No, the more expensive one (with the longer warranty) has got the bigger one, which is why the warranty is longer (appears to be the difference between tanks with different warranties from the same manufacturer). The rods vary in length (seems it is usually up to 40") so you may not be able to get a long one in (or out) if the ceiling where the HWT is located is too low (or have to cut it or get a flexible....)

The rod is sacrificial so it corrodes away when water is heated. Once it is corroded away, the tank itself becomes the anode and starts to corrode.

Ah ok.. seems like you are fairly knowledgeable on water heaters. Do you happen to know how much HD might charge to install a water heater?

The enercare price seems pretty attractive, just not 100% sure what kind of water heater they're going to give me (i.e. will they give me one thats prone to breaking?)

Oct 22nd, 2020 6:50 pm

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 9714 posts; 5110 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Oct 22nd, 2020 6:50 pm

ah_b wrote: ↑ Ah ok.. seems like you are fairly knowledgeable on water heaters. Do you happen to know how much HD might charge to install a water heater?

I've had to have them (gas HWT) replaced. For gas, there conventional and power vented which is said to be more efficient (never seen one).

As for install, HD wanted ~$800 to replace an electric almost 2 years ago with a Rheem Marathon (though less, $400? for a standard electric HWT). Other than and with some help from a neighbour (to solder 2 connector pipes instead of using), I had the tools and knowledge to connect the new tank myself in less than 1/2 hr. Don't think it took any longer to do than a straight replacement with the identical model

The enercare price seems pretty attractive, just not 100% sure what kind of water heater they're going to give me (i.e. will they give me one thats prone to breaking?)

Not sure if anything is prone to breaking, more like corrosion due to tank rotting away. Be assured they'll probably supply the cheapest tank with shortest guarantee.

What went wrong with your current one?

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

Oct 22nd, 2020 6:53 pm

ah_b [OP]: Member; Aug 15, 2009; 251 posts; 55 upvotes

Oct 22nd, 2020 6:53 pm

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ I've had to have them (gas HWT) replaced. For gas, there conventional and power vented which is said to be more efficient (never seen one).

As for install, HD wanted ~$800 to replace an electric almost 2 years ago with a Rheem Marathon (though less, $400? for a standard electric HWT). Other than and with some help from a neighbour (to solder 2 connector pipes instead of using), I had the tools and knowledge to connect the new tank myself in less than 1/2 hr. Don't think it took any longer to do than a straight replacement with the identical model

Not sure if anything is prone to breaking, more like corrosion due to tank rotting away. Be assured they'll probably supply the cheapest tank with shortest guarantee.

What went wrong with your current one?

The safety valve apparently broke so igniting the water heater does nothing anymore.

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