We were warned when we bought 765 that the water heater was old. And by old I mean the don't-touch-it-wrong-because-it-might-just-crumble kind of old. As in, all that cypress on the walls that is pretty ancient, it was built around the water heater and we can't get it out. Of course this kind of stuff never seems to happen when you want it to. Not in mid-July when it is 110 degrees outside and the last thing you want is anything hot touching you. NOPE. It happens on a 24 degree morning in January.
So now Travis and I are researching water heaters while we buy time continually relighting the pilot light. The conundrum: we like to be green & energy efficient BUT we like to be cheap too. Those two usually don't go together. Let's see what our options are:
You have your good old fashioned storage tank water heater. Water goes in, gas or electricity heats it up, then the stored hot water comes out. A gas one is generally more expensive than an electric one, but overall gas is usually a cheaper utility than electric. Then you've got to decide size: 30 gal, 40 gal or 50 gallon. For us we could surely get by with a 30 gallon, but what about when (dare I say) we want to sell the house? Starting around $400 this one wouldn't break the bank.
Then there is the tankless/on demand water heater. As it's name says there is no tank. Instead water is heated quickly through gas or electric coil, reducing the need to constantly be keeping water in a tank warmer (i.e. easier on your utility bill) But these puppies aren't cheap. They average around $1,000 though you can often end up with some kind of tax credit for purchasing one. These often have limitation with installation too, so our old pipes might not match up too well with modern marvel.
Decisions, decisions. Any water heater advice out there send it our way! And be thinking good thoughts - the repairman comes tomorrow. Let's all cross our fingers this research is for nothing and it's just a quick fix.
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3 comments:
Kelly,
You can get the old timely kind (cheap) and they now have timer/thermostats for them ... so they aren't heating water when you don't need it. Takes a tiny bit of planning but does save money in the short and long run. Also, you can get the well insulated and add the space blanket that really helps keep it hot. We are looking at solar water too ... can go right into your tank as well. Hugs ... patrick
Good luck, sorry, it really is bad timing. That was one of the first things we had to get when we bought this fixer house. Even the old fashion ones aren't cheap with installation included, which we did! Really hope it's just a quick fix for you guys right now. Let us know how it goes tomorrow, please.
Hi Kelly & Travis, Raymond & Cindy had to get a new one at the cabin when they first bought it, if memory is engaging. He decided against the new modern coil model. I think, because it would keep running even if it leaked. Call him for more expert/experienced/etc advice!!
Reggie is going to check ours out tomorrow!
Big Hugs, Boppy & Reggie
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