Saving some money

[realneil]

Saving Money:

I went to replace one of the heater elements in my house's hot water heater last night. I had set up a hose to drain the tank (after cutting the house's water off) and let it go all day long. I checked after getting back from buying the proper element from Lowes and there was nothing coming out of the hose. So I cut the power to the heater and started the job.
All four bolts came loose and I pried it out about 1/2" and no leaks, so I figured, "we're good to go"~~~NOT.

The element wouldn't come out, and I started wrestling with it,......................

Then the water started coming out! it seems that the tank was still full.
I tried to put it back, but that wasn't happening anymore, so all of a sudden it was Floodville at my house!
I was on the floor beside the damn thing and my wife had to run and get the Shop Vac to help me cope with the water leak. I should say TRY to cope,.....
After several times draining the Shop Vac the damn thing finally stopped leaking. The floor was soaked. It took me another hour to get the son of a b*tch element out. ~They~ (whomever they were) had put the wrong one (a double size one) in years before, and probably had to force it in. So I had to ~force~ it out,.....and it was also stuck in built-up residue in the tank. I usually don't do well sitting on the floor for long times, but was there for four and a half hours last night. It was my own little hell that life handed me last night, and it wasn't pretty either. I was a whipped dog when I finally got that SOB back together and working.

Thinking back on it, I didn't buy a new water heater for $288.00 just to save some money. It would have required changing the plumbing from behind the water heater to the top side, and I didn't want to hassle with it. Boy was I a chump, 'cause I still don't have a new one and the old one is 1/3 full of crap. So I'll probably have to replace it anyways in a short time.

Saving a little money is not always what it's cracked up to be.

[Solara2xb]

Nice little story Neil!

Sometimes it just saves money just to do it the right way the first time around.
I've learned this the hard way as well.

being a homeowner 2 properties (my own property and a rental), the cost can add up with repairs.
I had to spend $4k in repairing my rental property just last June, my last renter left it a mess with tons of damaged (carpet needed to be completely replaced and all the bathrooms needed repair from damages, and had to repaint the entire house again) I had done ALL this + Upgraded the kitchen before I rented it to them, they were only there for 2 years. I had to keep the deposit they left, but didn't cover even 1/3 of the cost I had to spend.

[realneil]

Sometimes it just saves money just to do it the right way the first time around.

My wife and I talked today and we're gonna change the system over to an "on demand" supply.
They report savings of up to 65% when using them.
I'll go tomorrow and buy all of the fittings, valves & pipe, then get the heater next month. I do computer work for my electrician, so he's already agreed to run a new box to the wall with a shut-off.
This part of the switch will be free for me,......and that helps a lot.

[Lil' œ Dead]

I turn the temp down on my hot water heater and saved lots of money.

[realneil]

I turn the temp down on my hot water heater and saved lots of money.

Lol! I had already done that,........it works too.


This heater just heats the water when you use it. (on demand) So you're not keeping a whole tank of water hot all of the time.
It's supposed to save a lot on electricity. That's why I like the idea.
They have a 30 day money back warranty if it doesn't work for you.

[Solara2xb]

Nice! I looked into those when I needed to replace my water heater at my condo last year, but since it required a 220volt and my condo doesn't have that access I had to replace it with a general water heater.

But at my house when it comes time to replace the water heater we are going to the tank less one as well.
I've heard it saves allot of money in the long run...

Let us know how that goes Neil!

[realneil]

I'll post when it's done. I'm feeling good about fixing the one that I have, but I don't trust it anymore. The hot water is working fine right now, so I have some time to gather parts and get the power setup before I do the switch.

[calemus]

your decision for a tankless heater is a wise one.

Tempra 12 2.3 GPM 12.0 kW Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater-Tempra 12 at The Home Depot

thats a good example of what i'd see as "good enough"
if you need more than that i'd say your not using the "right" shower head,,,or something else is out of wack

this is the only shower head anyone should ever have
Waterpik EcoFlow 5-Spray Hand Shower in Chrome ECO-563 at The Home Depot
the home depo eco-pik is different that other of the same name brand,,this is the one you want

unless you just WANT to spend more money.
that shower head will pay for itself in the first 3 months of owning it.
the tank should pay for itself in the first year.
and with a "personal electrician, your saving a TON

[Earthmonger]

So... a new water heater would cost the same as a mid-range video card. But few of us would think twice about buying a better video card.

Our water heater is from the 70's. It's still kicking. However, we need a new one at some point, because of the in-floor heating we installed a few years ago.. that's just sitting there, unconnected...

[Solara2xb]

So... a new water heater would cost the same as a mid-range video card. But few of us would think twice about buying a better video card.

Our water heater is from the 70's. It's still kicking. However, we need a new one at some point, because of the in-floor heating we installed a few years ago.. that's just sitting there, unconnected...

Wow! The 70s.. thats a long time for a water heater.. the recommended replacement time is normally 7-8 years for a good one....
The one in our home is right about 10 years right now... The one that was in my condo was actually only 8 years before I replaced it...

[realneil]

because of the in-floor heating we installed a few years ago.. that's just sitting there, unconnected...

Whoops,.........that would be nice to have.
My brother has a place with in floor radiant heat and it's pretty civilized. He uses a combination of solar and grid power to heat the floors and he uses the fireplace much less now.

[Doctor_Death]

are you using gas or electric ?

[realneil]

your decision for a tankless heater is a wise one.

Tempra 12 2.3 GPM 12.0 kW Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater-Tempra 12 at The Home Depot


this is the only shower head anyone should ever have
Waterpik EcoFlow 5-Spray Hand Shower in Chrome ECO-563 at The Home Depot
the home depo eco-pik is different that other of the same name brand,,this is the one you want

unless you just WANT to spend more money.
and with a "personal electrician, your saving a TON

The electrician has been getting free work from me for a long time. I just talked to him and he's already got all of the parts I need for the job for free.
As for the shower head, I have the gimp version of that one on a long vertical bar in the shower already. It's a good shower head.

I'm doing some research on the water heaters before I buy. I bookmarked your link. Thanks.

[calemus]

earth monger
you only need a 200 dollar heater. maby a few specialized gizmos (pumps & therostats) but that could EASLY be kept under 100 dollars

[Earthmonger]

earth monger
you only need a 200 dollar heater. maby a few specialized gizmos (pumps & therostats) but that could EASLY be kept under 100 dollars

Here you go:
Kjøp fliser, VVS, baderomsmøbler, laminat, gulvvarme - MegaFlis.no

Pick something nice. Prices start around $800, and this is a "discount" store. The economics of the industry are vastly different over here.

[calemus]

:/
dude. i'm in america and to dumb to be able to spell english correctly.
honestly wish i could help you shop, but the good Lord never gave me the gift of interpenetration