On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 05:18:19 GMT, "Claudia"
wrote:

since I have a 14 yr old water heater that is refusing to die in a manner
that will allow the home warranty to replace it - I have to replace it,
rather than risk inopportune failure.

You said it's in the garage, what would be an "inopportune failure"?
If it leaks on the garage floor, is that an issue? If so, you can add
a device that will shut the water off if the water heater leaks.

My point is, if it's working and hasn't died, why replace it?

Jeff