I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:08:14 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

Yes, I do have a gas heater. The reason I want to change the heater: My existing gas heater is 15 years old. Also, the city is giving a hefty rebate.

Also, I read that heat pump based electric heaters are very efficient, much cheaper to run than the gas ones.

Deguza

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:08:14 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

I just talked to a contractor friend. He cannot do the job, but he says it should cost $3K to $4K. He says it should not take more than 8 hours to do.

Deguza

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:14:43 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:08:14 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

Yes, I do have a gas heater. The reason I want to change the heater: My existing gas heater is 15 years old. Also, the city is giving a hefty rebate.

Also, I read that heat pump based electric heaters are very efficient, much cheaper to run than the gas ones.

Deguza

I would thoroughly vet cost factor, before I went ahead. CA isn't known
for low electric rates. Nat gas in most of the US is low in cost and
will remain that way. If an nat gas heater fails at 10 years, it
costs $500 for a new one, not $1300. In any place I know of in the
US that has nat gas available it would be a losing economic case to
switch from that to a heat pump. And what's the recovery time of that
heat pump? I can take a couple showers, run the washer, not miss a beat
because nat gas has a quick recovery. With a heat pump, I'd be hosed.
The only reason I see for going from nat gas to a heat pump is if you're
a crazy hippie.

On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:04:24 -0800 (PST), Deguza
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza



Just as a stick in the dirt I just paid a contractor to renovate my
FIL's bathroom. Demo, remove tub, replumb the drain, pour a new shower
pan, drywall, raise toilet flange, tile all around (floor and walls)
and install the new toilet and vanity. It took 6 days. One guy for 48
hours, the other guy around 20. I figure he computed at $100/man hr
extended cost. I bought the materials and did the electric.
Labor was $7k.

On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:33:58 -0800 (PST), trader_4
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:14:43 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:08:14 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

Yes, I do have a gas heater. The reason I want to change the heater: My existing gas heater is 15 years old. Also, the city is giving a hefty rebate.

Also, I read that heat pump based electric heaters are very efficient, much cheaper to run than the gas ones.

Deguza

I would thoroughly vet cost factor, before I went ahead. CA isn't known
for low electric rates. Nat gas in most of the US is low in cost and
will remain that way. If an nat gas heater fails at 10 years, it
costs $500 for a new one, not $1300. In any place I know of in the
US that has nat gas available it would be a losing economic case to
switch from that to a heat pump. And what's the recovery time of that
heat pump? I can take a couple showers, run the washer, not miss a beat
because nat gas has a quick recovery. With a heat pump, I'd be hosed.
The only reason I see for going from nat gas to a heat pump is if you're
a crazy hippie.


California particularly in the hippie northwest is trying to ban
natural gas. They are paying a bonus for people to go all electric.
You know, electricity comes from the electricity fairy.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:34:04 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:14:43 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:08:14 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

Yes, I do have a gas heater. The reason I want to change the heater: My existing gas heater is 15 years old. Also, the city is giving a hefty rebate.

Also, I read that heat pump based electric heaters are very efficient, much cheaper to run than the gas ones.

Deguza

I would thoroughly vet cost factor, before I went ahead. CA isn't known
for low electric rates. Nat gas in most of the US is low in cost and
will remain that way. If an nat gas heater fails at 10 years, it
costs $500 for a new one, not $1300. In any place I know of in the
US that has nat gas available it would be a losing economic case to
switch from that to a heat pump. And what's the recovery time of that
heat pump? I can take a couple showers, run the washer, not miss a beat
because nat gas has a quick recovery. With a heat pump, I'd be hosed.
The only reason I see for going from nat gas to a heat pump is if you're
a crazy hippie.

Good points. Will look into them right away.

Thanks!

Deguza

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:51:06 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:04:24 -0800 (PST), Deguza
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza



Just as a stick in the dirt I just paid a contractor to renovate my
FIL's bathroom. Demo, remove tub, replumb the drain, pour a new shower
pan, drywall, raise toilet flange, tile all around (floor and walls)
and install the new toilet and vanity. It took 6 days. One guy for 48
hours, the other guy around 20. I figure he computed at $100/man hr
extended cost. I bought the materials and did the electric.
Labor was $7k.

Ouch, that is expensive. My buddy does that type of work here in the Bay Area. He is an excellent professional with decades of experience in home building to fine furniture making. He charges only $35/hour.

Deguza

In article ,
says...

I would thoroughly vet cost factor, before I went ahead. CA isn't known
for low electric rates. Nat gas in most of the US is low in cost and
will remain that way. If an nat gas heater fails at 10 years, it
costs $500 for a new one, not $1300. In any place I know of in the
US that has nat gas available it would be a losing economic case to
switch from that to a heat pump. And what's the recovery time of that
heat pump? I can take a couple showers, run the washer, not miss a beat
because nat gas has a quick recovery. With a heat pump, I'd be hosed.
The only reason I see for going from nat gas to a heat pump is if you're
a crazy hippie.




Yea, by the time you figuer in the cost of the water heater instalation
and it will need replacing about every 10 to 15 years you would have to
save a lot of money.

The house I used to live in had a gas water heater and it recovered much
faster than the electric one I have in this house.

One thing to factor in the cost is the company doing business and how
they want to rip you off. I had my electric water heater replaced a few
months ago. One company wanted $ 1800 to do it. Water heaters like the
one I put in cost about $ 500 to $ 600. I just could not see $ 900 to
$ 1000 labor . When I told them that , they told me they could do it
for $ 1300 but the warrenty would only be for 3 years instead of 6..
Another company did the whole job for $ 950. The labor was only $ 200
for 2 men to come out and do the job. The other was for the heater and
parts. They probably did mark those up some, but I thought it was
reasonable.

Many things that are hyped up can really cost especially if reworking
and not a new house. The instant heat water heaters are another if you
have to do a rewire. One other thing is that if you are in a place
where the power goes out, a 5 kw generator can be used to heat the water
for a while and then you can get a hot shower. With gas you either do
not need electricity or if you do, it is almost nothing and any
generator will power it.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 12:30:39 PM UTC-8, wrote:
On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:33:58 -0800 (PST), trader_4
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:14:43 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:08:14 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

Yes, I do have a gas heater. The reason I want to change the heater: My existing gas heater is 15 years old. Also, the city is giving a hefty rebate.

Also, I read that heat pump based electric heaters are very efficient, much cheaper to run than the gas ones.

Deguza

I would thoroughly vet cost factor, before I went ahead. CA isn't known
for low electric rates. Nat gas in most of the US is low in cost and
will remain that way. If an nat gas heater fails at 10 years, it
costs $500 for a new one, not $1300. In any place I know of in the
US that has nat gas available it would be a losing economic case to
switch from that to a heat pump. And what's the recovery time of that
heat pump? I can take a couple showers, run the washer, not miss a beat
because nat gas has a quick recovery. With a heat pump, I'd be hosed.
The only reason I see for going from nat gas to a heat pump is if you're
a crazy hippie.


California particularly in the hippie northwest is trying to ban
natural gas. They are paying a bonus for people to go all electric.
You know, electricity comes from the electricity fairy.

I suppose I can use this to calculate the costs with local utility rates:

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/e...-water-heaters

It would be interesting to see what I get.

Deguza

On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 13:00:58 -0800 (PST), Deguza
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:51:06 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:04:24 -0800 (PST), Deguza
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza



Just as a stick in the dirt I just paid a contractor to renovate my
FIL's bathroom. Demo, remove tub, replumb the drain, pour a new shower
pan, drywall, raise toilet flange, tile all around (floor and walls)
and install the new toilet and vanity. It took 6 days. One guy for 48
hours, the other guy around 20. I figure he computed at $100/man hr
extended cost. I bought the materials and did the electric.
Labor was $7k.

Ouch, that is expensive. My buddy does that type of work here in the Bay Area. He is an excellent professional with decades of experience in home building to fine furniture making. He charges only $35/hour.

Deguza

Not as much as they seem to want to swap a water heater and cap a gas
pipe.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:45:56 PM UTC-8, wrote:
On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 13:00:58 -0800 (PST), Deguza
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:51:06 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:04:24 -0800 (PST), Deguza
wrote:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza



Just as a stick in the dirt I just paid a contractor to renovate my
FIL's bathroom. Demo, remove tub, replumb the drain, pour a new shower
pan, drywall, raise toilet flange, tile all around (floor and walls)
and install the new toilet and vanity. It took 6 days. One guy for 48
hours, the other guy around 20. I figure he computed at $100/man hr
extended cost. I bought the materials and did the electric.
Labor was $7k.

Ouch, that is expensive. My buddy does that type of work here in the Bay Area. He is an excellent professional with decades of experience in home building to fine furniture making. He charges only $35/hour.

Deguza

Not as much as they seem to want to swap a water heater and cap a gas
pipe.

You are right!

Deguza

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 3:57:20 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:34:04 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:14:43 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 11:08:14 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 2:04:29 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10:53:29 AM UTC-8, trader_4 wrote:
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 1:26:33 PM UTC-5, Deguza wrote:
I am planning to get quotes from contractors who do this type of work. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the cost of living is high, and contractors usually have to charge more.

From what I understand the work involves:

- Hooking up a new 50 gallon Rheem heat pump water heater to the existing lines.

- Getting a 30 amp 240v line to the point of use from the electrical panel. The panel is on the opposing side of the house, so it may involve getting into the crawl space under the house and making a hole through the wall to the point of use.

- Getting permits from the city.

I am estimating at the most 20 hours of labor.

How much should this cost?

Thanks,

Deguza

Probably 4X the cost of a nat gas water heater, if that's what's there now.
20 hours of labor? That's $2K right there. What is there now?

Thanks for your response trader_4

Rheem costs $1300. Permits around $300, material for the 30 amp line probably around $150 at the most. All of these add up to $1750.

Going with your $2000 for your labor, the total cost would be $3750. One contractor told me over the phone $6250!

Deguza

My $2K was based on your estimate of no more than 20 hours of labor.
No way of knowing if that is right or not, since I can't see it.
But it is a lot of labor.
You didn't answer the question. What's there now? No nat gas?
Since you have to run electric, it suggests nat gas may be there now.
If so, why switch?

Yes, I do have a gas heater. The reason I want to change the heater: My existing gas heater is 15 years old. Also, the city is giving a hefty rebate.

Also, I read that heat pump based electric heaters are very efficient, much cheaper to run than the gas ones.

Deguza

I would thoroughly vet cost factor, before I went ahead. CA isn't known
for low electric rates. Nat gas in most of the US is low in cost and
will remain that way. If an nat gas heater fails at 10 years, it
costs $500 for a new one, not $1300. In any place I know of in the
US that has nat gas available it would be a losing economic case to
switch from that to a heat pump. And what's the recovery time of that
heat pump? I can take a couple showers, run the washer, not miss a beat
because nat gas has a quick recovery. With a heat pump, I'd be hosed.
The only reason I see for going from nat gas to a heat pump is if you're
a crazy hippie.

Good points. Will look into them right away.

Thanks!

Deguza

Do you have other gas usage, besides the WH? Even if you do, you should
have a good idea of how much it's costing per month. In the summer
months there won't be furnace usage, if you have one. Only WH, cooking,
maybe a dryer. Here in the summer the gas bill for just the water heater
is $20 or less. It would be a hell of a long payback to switch that out.
And that's with just the old style WH with pilot. Newer ones that are
more efficient are another choice. Maybe there is a rebate for those?

Beware the hucksters and hippies.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 4:07:15 PM UTC-5, Ralph Mowery wrote:
In article ,
says...

I would thoroughly vet cost factor, before I went ahead. CA isn't known
for low electric rates. Nat gas in most of the US is low in cost and
will remain that way. If an nat gas heater fails at 10 years, it
costs $500 for a new one, not $1300. In any place I know of in the
US that has nat gas available it would be a losing economic case to
switch from that to a heat pump. And what's the recovery time of that
heat pump? I can take a couple showers, run the washer, not miss a beat
because nat gas has a quick recovery. With a heat pump, I'd be hosed.
The only reason I see for going from nat gas to a heat pump is if you're
a crazy hippie.




Yea, by the time you figuer in the cost of the water heater instalation
and it will need replacing about every 10 to 15 years you would have to
save a lot of money.

The house I used to live in had a gas water heater and it recovered much
faster than the electric one I have in this house.

One thing to factor in the cost is the company doing business and how
they want to rip you off. I had my electric water heater replaced a few
months ago. One company wanted $ 1800 to do it. Water heaters like the
one I put in cost about $ 500 to $ 600. I just could not see $ 900 to
$ 1000 labor . When I told them that , they told me they could do it
for $ 1300 but the warrenty would only be for 3 years instead of 6..
Another company did the whole job for $ 950. The labor was only $ 200
for 2 men to come out and do the job. The other was for the heater and
parts. They probably did mark those up some, but I thought it was
reasonable.

Many things that are hyped up can really cost especially if reworking
and not a new house. The instant heat water heaters are another if you
have to do a rewire.

Or run new gas piping and maybe that has to be larger piping all the way
back to the meter to support the extra demand. Depends on what size pipes
and how much extra capacity.




One other thing is that if you are in a place
where the power goes out, a 5 kw generator can be used to heat the water
for a while and then you can get a hot shower. With gas you either do
not need electricity or if you do, it is almost nothing and any
generator will power it.

+1

In article ,
says...

Do you have other gas usage, besides the WH? Even if you do, you should
have a good idea of how much it's costing per month. In the summer
months there won't be furnace usage, if you have one. Only WH, cooking,
maybe a dryer. Here in the summer the gas bill for just the water heater
is $20 or less. It would be a hell of a long payback to switch that out.
And that's with just the old style WH with pilot. Newer ones that are
more efficient are another choice. Maybe there is a rebate for those?

Beware the hucksters and hippies.





If there is a furnace that is not used for many months, I bet the
minimum connection fee (however it is called) would be more than what
the gas water heater uses, or close to it every month. In that case you
could almost say you are heating the water for free.

Even at the $ 20 per month you are looking at over 10 years for a
payback. Then it is probably time to replace the water heater with
another that is much more than a standard gas heater.

While many things like the heat pump water heater are nice, they are
just not redy for 'prime time'. Just like the electric cars for many
areas.