If I were you, I would take the opportunity to get tankless water heaters in the bathrooms and kitchen. No more waiting for the water to get hot, you will save energy and best of all not have a massive tank of water in your ceiling ready to leak. Tankless can go on outside walls or under cabinets. People selling you new stuff are always more honest than dudes repairing stuff.
From what I recall reading, it's not easy to retrofit tankless water heaters and the energy savings can be exaggerated, especially if you're trying to recoup the costs of a retrofit. If it's a new install, then you may save money. Here's an article that includes a study done on whether or not a retrofit is worth it : http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/are-tankless-water-heaters-waste-money
Well Damn.. Texas Building Codes for a Hot Water Heater "Since 2007, a plumbing permit has been needed to install a hot-water heater in Texas, requiring a licensed plumber to tackle the project in accordance with state plumbing code. With the International Construction Codes forming the basis of Texas' statewide plumbing and heating codes, installation of hot-water heaters meets internationally agreed upon conventions"
never mentioned saving cash, just energy. Tankless are a luxury item as far as I care. Hot water no waiting, much smaller, and not in your attic. None of those energy saving upgrades will pay you back, despite the federal refunds they hand out. You just have a nicer house. Does anyone think spending an extra 20K on windows SAVES you money? Retrofit implies removing operational water heaters and replacing with tankless. His are not operational AND he is getting screwed on the labor so the figures will be different.
If installed properly and if you're replacing single pane or very old windows, yes it will over a very long life span. The savings won't be noticed immediately.
Buy the replacement heaters, get the permit and pay a plumber to do the rest if you aren't inclined to do it yourself. I have a home warranty so when mine went out a few months back it was a $60 trade fee to get it replaced. It took two plumbers about two hours. But I would have DIY if I hadn't had that resource. 95% of plumbing is pretty simple. The plumbers also tried to convince me that the brown stuff coming out of my faucet was rust from copper. Bottom line: never trust a stranger. It's not personal as you don't know them. This is fantastic advice. Tankless really aren't a good alternative cost-savings-wise even medium-term.
What company do you have warranty through? I have heard mostly horror stories about Home warranty companies and how they always find a loophole to say something isn't covered.
Careful, everyone, careful. Please exercise caution. Can this information in any way be used to build a homemade bomb? These guys are very resourceful - they've used everything from pressure cookers to dora the explorer backpacks to words in the koran. Not saying Adeel would do something, but ideologically he fits the profile and does have anger issues. Word to the wise.
had mine installed a couple of years ago by a licensed plumber in the attic. Paid him 300 bucks just for labor since i went to buy one at home depot.
home warranty companies are the devil.... well at least most of them are. If you ever need a replacement appliance, they got a long list of exclusion, conditions and non covered parts, not worth the headache. Plus they give you the cheapest brand/quality, you dont get to pick.
If you buy it on a brand new house, yes. And older house, no. Absolutely not true in my case. I've had them on my past two houses and I've made a profit. I always get the highest plan, know the plan inside and out and call them for everything. New: Complete AC system, inside and out, $1200 out of pocket Garbage Disposal, $60 trade fee Dishwasher, $60 trade fee 50 gallon hot water heater, $60 trade fee New clothes washer, $60 trade fee Two new garage door openers, $60 trade fee Repaired: a pipe way in the back of my attic during August, $60 trade fee toilet flange (i could have did this but I had no clue what the leak was caused by) $60 trade fee I wouldn't buy a home warranty for a new home, but my last two houses were built in 1990 and I knew going in that there was a good chance stuff would start breaking. The hot water heater in my current home was dated 1988. I knew it was on it's last leg. Where this really paid off, in my opinion, is not doing the labor. I'm not an expert so it would have taken me twice as long with three trips to the hardware store and lots of cussing. Bottom line: don't be so close-minded and dismiss opportunities across the board. Examine everything individually. True in my case. When my toilet flange broke it leaked into the downstairs half back and they had to tear out the drywall. The home warranty company offered $100 towards repairs or a $100 check. I took the check as I'm fairly competent with drywall and the texture on the ceiling will make it very forgiving to do a quick job. My plan: Old Republic Platinum
