[MOforthewin]

So my crappy builders grade water heater finally kicked the bucked so I got a new one installed today. Called a number of places, even tried Home Depot, Lowes all about the same estimate.

Big time sticker shock. Is this due to Ian the reason they're charging monster install fees now? Took the guy about 90 minutes today. Seems like I'm in the wrong biz lol.

Anyway, I took a shower today with the new heater and noticed I'm having itchy feeling all over my body. I didn't have this before.

Could this be because it's a new heater and factory chemicals and such have to work it's way out of it? I would think they're coated with something in order to protect it long term in storage.

[Nerad]

My 80 gallon Rheem hybrid hot water heater was around $2500 plus a couple hundred in parts and I installed it myself. We also replaced a crap 40 gallon tank used buy our builder.

Homeowners can save money by doing a tank swap they are often quite easy to do.

If it was a simple swap in place to a new tank (your post seems to indicate this is likely) then yeah they made quick cash on you. It’s not free to buy a truck/insurance/fuel/tools to drive to your house and do the work and they also need to dispose of the old tank.

No clue on the itch but usually nothing in the tanks as there are no “chemicals”

[LKJ1988]

Mine was 600 smackers 6 years ago.

[beach48urs]

wow....replaced a Rheem for 1600 installed


the itch is a bit strange but check to see if the guy used some newer copper pipe thus soldering

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by beach48urs

wow....replaced a Rheem for 1600 installed


the itch is a bit strange but check to see if the guy used some newer copper pipe thus soldering

Called the installers up. They said it's possible it's from sediments in the pipes. There was a ton of it built up around the pipes. Breaking it loose and installing the new heater might have mixed in with the water. Mom is also complaining about the itching too so it has to be from the new heater being installed.

I wonder if this is a factor too. Since Chlorine can cause itching of skin and eyes.

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/...n/69986561007/

[Hemlock140]

Perhaps in your area the prices are higher due to less availability, with a lot of storm related damage over the winter?

The Rheem 50 gallon is $599 at our local Home Depot. That's just $100 more than I paid for ours when I put it in about 5 years ago.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Perhaps in your area the prices are higher due to less availability, with a lot of storm related damage over the winter?

The Rheem 50 gallon is $599 at our local Home Depot. That's just $100 more than I paid for ours when I put it in about 5 years ago.

Installs cost a lot around here! I think it's because of Ian they're charging a lot with all the damaged heaters because they can charge it and you have no choice to pay for it!

Btw It's likely due to the Chlorine they're using right now in Charlotte and Sarasota counties to kill the bacteria. My mom was at the stylist today and she too said the last couple days here hands have been dry and itchy and her mother having the same problem.

They're supposed to be doing this flush until May 14th.

[Arya Stark]

I am in MA and I got the same quote. Just pure price gouging.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

I am in MA and I got the same quote. Just pure price gouging.

Labor is where they get you.

[Nerad]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

Labor is where they get you.

Yup. Homeowners can save a lot of money as hot water tanks are pretty easy to do. Once you drain the water out of them there aren’t all that heavy.