My plumber installed a new gas water heater but not a new expansion tank. Isn't the expansion tank included in the estimated cost of the new water heater? I paid $1886. Seems high even without a new expansion tank.
Thank you!
Thank you!
No new expansion tank?
- Thread starter Jules101
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Not if he didn't bid it out that way!? We generally replace but it would add another hundred or so to the bid. Assuming he reused the old one?
If you are on a well you don't need one. How big was the water heater? Did they remove the old one? What type of venting is it?
Tim Whistler
Well-Known Member
You only need one if you have a closed loop water system, Google it.
If your system is closed, ask him to return and install one. If it's not closed he's probably a good honest plumber just trying to cut prices for you.
Depending where in the US you are the same new 50 gallon gas natural draft water heater can cost from $1500. to well over $3000. supplied and installed, and that's not even getting into the whole chimney lining issue!
-Tim Whistler
If your system is closed, ask him to return and install one. If it's not closed he's probably a good honest plumber just trying to cut prices for you.
Depending where in the US you are the same new 50 gallon gas natural draft water heater can cost from $1500. to well over $3000. supplied and installed, and that's not even getting into the whole chimney lining issue!
-Tim Whistler
Thank you for your replies.
We're not on a well, but we are on a closed loop system. I'm not sure what kind of venting. Maybe common venting? The water heater vents out through piping.
He quoted us $1886 for a 40 gallon, 40,000 BTU, 6 year warranty gas water heater with a tray to direct leaking water to the floor drain, and removal of the old water heater. He didn't mention an expansion tank. However, my hubby later told him we just replaced the expansion tank and it was probably still in good shape. I wonder if the plumber took that as permission to not replace the old expansion tank and save some money? I just assumed that expansion tanks are common here and they come with the water heater.
We're not on a well, but we are on a closed loop system. I'm not sure what kind of venting. Maybe common venting? The water heater vents out through piping.
He quoted us $1886 for a 40 gallon, 40,000 BTU, 6 year warranty gas water heater with a tray to direct leaking water to the floor drain, and removal of the old water heater. He didn't mention an expansion tank. However, my hubby later told him we just replaced the expansion tank and it was probably still in good shape. I wonder if the plumber took that as permission to not replace the old expansion tank and save some money? I just assumed that expansion tanks are common here and they come with the water heater.
wpns
Well-Known Member
If you just replaced it, and he didn’t quote it, why do you want a new one? Hot water heaters and expansion tanks are never bundled together by the vendor,
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When I quote a water heater I include the cost of a new expansion tank if the home requires a tank.
What constitutes whether a home needs an expansion tank or not?
I have only ever seen one in my lifetime and no homes in my area have one installed.
I have only ever seen one in my lifetime and no homes in my area have one installed.
wpns
Well-Known Member
If there's a pressure reducing valve off the municipal water main, any pressure rise caused by heating the water in your hot water tank will have nowhere to go, and will cause your overpressure(/overtemperature) valve on your hot water heater to release the excess.
I had this happen on a well system, when I added an iron filter, which had a check valve.
So in general, any system which is closed or has a check valve to prevent excess water pressure to flow back to the source.
You had an expansion tank. It’s not mandatory that the tank be replaced with the water heater.
If the plumber checked the existing expansion and it was operating then it’s not required it be replaced.
The price doesn’t indicate replacement of the tank unless specified in the contract or verbal agreement.
wpns
Well-Known Member
As TwoWaxHack said, when the plumber came to give you the quote, I imagine he noticed that the expansion tank was new, so didn't quote you a new one.
