Looks like Home Depot has GE and Lowes has Whirlpool. Both offer 6, 9,
12 year models. I was thinking of getting the 9 year (40 gallon) to be
one step above the cheapest. Since I am switching over from electric
to gas I wonder how I might estimate the monthly reduction I should
see on my electric bill?

I also bought one of these some time back and it has been sitting in
the cardboard box;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Taco-Bronze-...item43ab6adccc

Since I will be relocating the water heater this may be the right time
to try to install the circulator scheme. This implies a loop, so I'm
thinking of running a smaller pipe back to the pump from the farthest
point (kitchen). The main run is 3/4". I guess the return to the pump
could be 1/2" or even smaller?