Jerry, While it sounds like you are looking at this from a purely fiscal point of view, have you considered one of the hybrid hot water heaters? They are considerably more than a standard water heater, but have considerably lower operating cost, and in some cases, qualify for a tax rebate due to their energy savings.
As for a standard tank style heater, the size is a matter of fit, and not relative to the efficiency. They make them narrow and tall as well as short and squat, since space sometimes dictates what can be used. As for the warranty, you'll have to do the math. If you get a 12 year warranty on a water heater that is less than twice the cost of the 6 year warranty, you should be ahead of the game as long as they provide a complete replacement. My last house had an 80 gallon heater (4500 square feet, 4.5 baths) and I was able to find a cosmetically damaged heater at Lowe's for about 30% off, which was a considerable savings for a heater of this size. Dan On Jan 5, 2012, at 8:29 PM, Jerry Herrman wrote: > I'm guessing this topic has been discussed on this forum. > Seeing a moist area beneath the 20+ year old gas hot water heater, I know > that it is time for replacement real soon. Home Depot sells a 50 gallon GE > with a 6 year warranty for $430. Way up from when I last looked at water > heaters. Or for $700, a lifetime warranty on the tank. A 40 gallon goes for > $338, and for the lifetime tank, $460. > Home Depot Supply (warehouse) sells the Rheem 50 gallon for $465 and the 40 > gallon for $369. Having had the 50 gallon heater here at home and in a > rental, I see no advantage of a 50 gallon for four person, so I pllan to buy > the 40 gallon this time. > > But what brand? And is the lifetime warranty worth $200 more? This will go in > the garage with easy access, so replacing it would not be a big deal. On the > other hand, why buy a heater (or roof) that you know will have to be replaced > in your lifetime? Does it matter if the heater is the tall type? Any size > will fit where I am putting it. I would even consider a cosmetically damaged > one if the price was right. > I'd be interested in your comments and collective wisdom. > Oh, and I don't think I'm interested in a tankless. Too new fangled for me. > > Jerry > 82 240D > > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature > database 6771 (20120105) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. > > http://www.eset.com > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
