Nice work, what do you charge? No more worries about running out of hot water.

Dang, that is hot.

Nice work.

For future reference, any pictures of the nameplate showing model and electrical specs?

I may need to upgrade this vintage on demand heater.

Thinking about changing over to electric…even with this house being off grid.

It’s nice to have hot water after working on the Mustang. 😁

I will probably go tankless on the next one.  Some years back I replaced my 40 year old one (at the time) just because it was really old and didn't need it to fail when I was on vacation, etc.  I was still able to get an old school style HWH, but those are no longer available.  The new style HWHs are more than twice the cost, while offering no real benefit in efficiency.  It seems a tankless is the work around.  I'd need a big one though, my HWH is 85 gallons.  I've got a 400 amp service though, so shouldn't be an issue.  

I'm also wrapping up a Dana 60 rebuild.  This is a ball joint one for my '06 F250.  I kept the stock 3.73 gears, but added an E-Locker, replaced all the bearings/races/seals, and got rid of the crush sleeve (only Ford would put a crush sleeve in a Dana rear).  

TKOPerformance wrote:

I will probably go tankless on the next one.  Some years back I replaced my 40 year old one (at the time) just because it was really old and didn't need it to fail when I was on vacation, etc.  I was still able to get an old school style HWH, but those are no longer available.  The new style HWHs are more than twice the cost, while offering no real benefit in efficiency.  It seems a tankless is the work around.  I'd need a big one though, my HWH is 85 gallons.  I've got a 400 amp service though, so shouldn't be an issue.  

I’m curious, what kind of "old school HWH" do you have that isn’t available anymore?
Both gas and electric tank type HWH heaters are available here in the NY area in various sizes. 

 

Perhaps the highest rated efficiency HWH are a heat pump design.

Natural gas, propane, and electric are available in Michigan.

The tank styles have become more expensive making the demand style more appealing.

A 40 gallon tank style pushing $800 easy…overpriced to me.

TKOPerformance wrote:

BobE wrote:

TKOPerformance wrote:

I will probably go tankless on the next one.  Some years back I replaced my 40 year old one (at the time) just because it was really old and didn't need it to fail when I was on vacation, etc.  I was still able to get an old school style HWH, but those are no longer available.  The new style HWHs are more than twice the cost, while offering no real benefit in efficiency.  It seems a tankless is the work around.  I'd need a big one though, my HWH is 85 gallons.  I've got a 400 amp service though, so shouldn't be an issue.  

I’m curious, what kind of "old school HWH" do you have that isn’t available anymore?
Both gas and electric tank type HWH heaters are available here in the NY area in various sizes. 

 

All the electric water heaters sold here are now "heat pump" HWHs.  I paid less than $1,000 for my electric 85 gallon HWH.  The new ones are closer to $2,000.  At least this is what I was told when I bought the unit, which was over 10 years ago now.  Its possible the regulations have been changed since.  The idea was the heat pump ones were more efficient, but I use a system that is also more efficient, because I have a hot water generator in my geothermal heat pump tied to my hot water heater, which uses waste heat from the heat pump to heat the water.  
 

I seem to remember an episode of Seinfeld where they were looking for black market shower heads. I guess hot water tanks are next. Not sure but I would think the on demand would be more efficient to heat pump depending on usage.  

wsinsle wrote:

TKOPerformance wrote:

BobE wrote:

I’m curious, what kind of "old school HWH" do you have that isn’t available anymore?
Both gas and electric tank type HWH heaters are available here in the NY area in various sizes. 

 

All the electric water heaters sold here are now "heat pump" HWHs.  I paid less than $1,000 for my electric 85 gallon HWH.  The new ones are closer to $2,000.  At least this is what I was told when I bought the unit, which was over 10 years ago now.  Its possible the regulations have been changed since.  The idea was the heat pump ones were more efficient, but I use a system that is also more efficient, because I have a hot water generator in my geothermal heat pump tied to my hot water heater, which uses waste heat from the heat pump to heat the water.  
 

I seem to remember an episode of Seinfeld where they were looking for black market shower heads. I guess hot water tanks are next. Not sure but I would think the on demand would be more efficient to heat pump depending on usage.  

There was a King of the Hill episode about toilets like that.  Hank made a good point.  If its 1 gallon per flush, but you have to flush it 2, 3, or in the case of Peggy 5 times; we aren't saving any water; we are just adding frustration.  It was all a scam too, the guy selling the low flow toilets was the mayor's brother or something as I recall.  I'm on well and septic system, I should be able to have whatever toilet I want.  All of mine are now pressure assist flush.  Initially expensive, but best flush you can get out of 1 gallon.  
 

WOW...! I don't remember paying 500 bucks for a water heater..much less a grand. (maybe Delaware induced ?!)
Looks like I'll be changing out heating elements and yearly draining of my tank to make this puppy last longer...
6sally6

Wow!  I'm glad I live in a location where I was allowed to install mine myself.

Some jurisdictions only sell to licensed tradesmen to prevent guys like us from doing simple, common sense hook ups, or for that matter even more complicated ones.

The State…wow.

And they let any idiot pump flammable toxic carcinogenic liquid into their gas tank without a Hazmat endorsement?

Stupid people shouldn’t breathe Ron…I know I fall in this category occasionally myself.

So…the city will take full responsibility of any mishaps during an earthquake if installed per their code standards?    I highly doubt it.

I totally respect and appreciate all tradespeople due to the fact they learned either at school or OJT.

I agree some people probably shouldn’t watch social media and remodel their homes too…especially when working with gas whether natural or LPG.

Last edited by Nos681 (11/04/2025 5:01 AM)

In my community, one can’t change a light switch w/o a licensed electrician, or change a faucet washer w/o a licensed plumber.  These restrictions are often ignored by DIY’ers.  However, there are people that have no abilities to perform these tasks, so they pay.