Hot water heaters are not that hard to replace yourself. I did mine
about 6 years ago - try to get one that is the same height as the
existing one. cold water in, hot water out, connect the vent, light it
up, that's it...

I think I bought mine at HD for about $325, it was the best 40g one
they had. (I only have two people in my house.)

FWIW, my old one gave symptoms of going when it failed to keep up with
hot water demands...that when I got rid of it.

When it starts to go, replace it, but that gas co. deal looks like a
sucker bet.


Bluesman