Venting

[S60Turbo]

So our hot water heater is leaking, it's gas. The rental company come and look at it and say it's done. Problem is the venting pipe is no longer code!! This is on a 7 year old house. We have to pay to get it replaced and they won't do it cause the basement cieling is partially finished. So our option is to rip it out and replace or go to electric heated water.
Anyone know how expensive they are to run? I know it will depend on our usage but wondering on average if it will cost alot more.

 

[Horschallen]

Around here it is cheaper with electricity, and I am considering replacing my gas hot water heater with an electric model.

 

[Yooper]

My first inkling is the old vent should be Grandfathered in unless it is very unsafe.

My second thought is if you are renting, it is the owner's responsibility to repair TO CODE and you should not be charged.

The cost of operation between Gas and Electric varies depending on your local utility rates. Inquire. The utility in Michigan we have USED to be cheaper for electric hot water but through a merger the company no longer exists and now gas is cheaper...but everyone in town still has electric. What a scam.

Mr. Urchin has a good idea if it is can be done and you are forced to spend the money. You can direct vent to the outside quite a few of those tankless models.

 

[frankfrank]

I have electric, and the power goes through an on-off switch. Therefore I only heat water when I know I'm going to need hot water. So now that I'm in California, I don't have a gas heater at home heating water which doesn't need heating at all.

It cost me less than $700 to buy is and have it installed, but that was about 18 or 19 years ago.

 

[cklover]

Why not just do one of those tankless hot water deals...saves space and cuts down on waste. You get a nice tax credit too I believe. Also will improve resale value when you sell.

If you have the option to go with a tankless water heater then do it. I have a few plumbers in my family and they all recommend the tankless water heater.

It would also seem to me that if you are renting then your landlord is responsible to replace the hot water tank and any other associated costs should also be borne by the landlord.

 

[S60Turbo]

We own the house. The tank is rental. In Ontario anyway it's very common to rent it since they look after it if anything goes wrong. I inquired about tankless and was told by the company the pressure is unreliable.

 

[Yooper]

We own the house. The tank is rental. In Ontario anyway it's very common to rent it since they look after it if anything goes wrong. I inquired about tankless and was told by the company the pressure is unreliable.

Mmmmkkaaay. Learn something new everyday.

Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to rent a Hot Water Heater? Is it really cost effective? I'm only asking because I've never heard of this, and I know a bunch of Canadians (I can see Canada from my house in Michigan).

 

[SonOfSlobone]

Last time I checked tankless heaters cost a lot more initially. But I admit I didn't do a lot of research.

As for gas vs. electric I think it varies widely from place to place. I'm not surprised to hear electric is cheaper in CA, where people can afford to use it for room heating. Probably a lot depends on how long the natural gas pipeline is to where you live?