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Rheem vs lochinvar water heaters - city permits

salyem07
salyem07 Member Posts: 2
edited May 2018 in Domestic Hot Water
We are new house owners and our water heater broke and warranty is not there. A local plumber quoted $695 with 38000 BTU water Rheem water heater with magnesium anode rod and brass drain value without the city permit.

A local company quoted $1006 for lochinvar water heater with 40000 BTU with the city permit and $1200 for 50000 BTU with city permit.

Is one brand better over the other. Any suggestions on which route we should go?

Or should we buy a unit from Home depot / lowes and find a plumber to install it?

thank you

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,021
    If the city requires a permit and inspection, it may be wise to find a plumber that will assure it is installed up to code and inspected. At least from a liability standpoint.

    To assure tank warranty it may need an expansion tank, maybe other local code requirements like seismic restraint?
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    salyem07
  • salyem07
    salyem07 Member Posts: 2
    I just looked up the permit at our city and it is only $50 unlike what others told us, given that is rheem better than lochinvar ?? and does higher BTU make a different we live at Illinois and family of five people with two full baths and one half bath
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 4,775
    I care more about the Name on the Truck and the people installing it then the name on the box.

    salyem07
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,021
    salyem07 said:

    I just looked up the permit at our city and it is only $50 unlike what others told us, given that is rheem better than lochinvar ?? and does higher BTU make a different we live at Illinois and family of five people with two full baths and one half bath

    I like the Lochinvar brand, I believe they still make all their tanks in the US of A if that matters.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 851
    Permit fee may in fact be $50. However, someone has to fill it out, drop it off at city hall and call for inspections. On some rare occasions contractor has to be present when inspector arrives.

    BTW, we do not discuss pricing on this site.

    I agree with this:
    pecmsg said:

    I care more about the Name on the Truck and the people installing it then the name on the box.

    Canucker
  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 851
    Almost forgot, our local wholesaler has been carrying Rheem for at least 30 years, we've had very few problems with them. We've also put in AO Smith and Lochinvar with similar excellent results.
  • delta T
    delta T Member Posts: 884
    salyem07 said:


    Or should we buy a unit from Home depot / lowes and find a plumber to install it?

    While the pricing difference may be attractive, keep in mind that if you have a warranty problem, you will have to go back to the big box store and get them to honor it. As a contractor, I cannot warranty anything I didn't buy in the first place. You will have to do all the leg work of getting a new heater, filling out the paperwork, etc. If I buy a heater and install it for a customer, then I will be able to go pick up a new heater from the wholesaler and have it swapped out right away if there is a problem. I have heard some bad horror stories involving the warranty process for the big boxes.

    FYI most warranties (especially water heaters) do not include labor. If the tank fails prematurely, then there will likely be a labor cost associated with the swap out even though the replacement tank was free.
  • RomanP
    RomanP Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2018
    That’s one cheap plumber. Or maybe has no idea what he’s doing? I mean, replacing the water heater isn’t a head scratcher but for that cheap??! Lol

    Expect to see flexible connectors, sharkbite fittings, pex runs or combination of all of the above
    delta T
  • RomanP
    RomanP Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2018
    If you have a backflow preventer on your main or pressure reducing valve, you will need an expansion tank

    Also, for a family of 5 with 2.5 baths I’d say 38000 or 40000 btu HWH would be too small. Unless, you create a shower schedule. I’d go with tankless if budget permits.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    edited May 2018

    BTW, we do not discuss pricing on this site

    THIS.

    Also, we won't install anything from A.O. Smith. One of the members of this board had a very bad experience with their service and support. Since there are plenty of other brands to choose from, there's no reason to put up with their lousy service. EDIT- found the thread:

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1376536#Comment_1376536

    We like Bradford-White units.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Canucker