Need Advice- Quick!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2003
Need Advice- Quick!
5
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 9:39am

First, let me say.. I have posted here before and was following the board closely for a while-- trying to my best to budget and save.. Then my dad passed away, So it has been REALLY hectic around here for the past month. Not here to talk about my dad (although I could--God Bless him)

I have a question about my water heater. It's not giving out enough hot water. My husband gets a hot shower, then I get about 5 mintues of one after I get up in the am. It just started happening, and the water heater is 11 years old. Looking online, it seems that I can get a new one for about the same price that I can have someone come out and look at this old one... BUT it's christmas, and I don't (really can't) spend anymore money on anything else. I think I would be able to get one in a month (mid Jan)--SO do you guys just think I should let it go-- (and take fairly cold showers for the next month) or will it do more damage on my water heater? I think it's just a heating coil or something. I just don't know what to do.. Any advice out there?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 10:07am

Are you at all handy? When this happened at our house my DH just changed the heating coil himself.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 11:28am

Changing the heating coil in the water heater is a pretty basic DIY job (not that I've done it myself, lol, just saying that's what I've read). And I don't *think* running it for a month with one out will hurt it (but I'm not a handyman myself, so I don't know this for sure).

If you really do want to get it fixed by a pro, ask around and see if any of your friends know someone who does it as a side job that might give you a better price.

If you decide to buy a new one, I can't imagine that running the old one for another month will hurt anything but your poor cold body (brrrr!!). Can you arrange so that there is more time between showers? Maybe have dh take his the moment he gets up and you wait until after breakfast and the kids are ready for school? Oh, also turn the heat up to maximum, so you get as much hot water as you can (noting, however, that this will put extra strain on the remaining coil, and therefore cause it to die sooner too--still, the cost of two heating coils is probably much less than the cost of a new heater).

Personally, if I knew I could pay for it in cash in a month, I'd wait. I prefer to keep everything on a cash basis, even when it means making temporary sacrifices.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 11:41am

I agree that if it isn't too awful for you to wait a month, that would be a good idea. Try to work that into January's budget.

Also, call around and see if you can get a free estimate. That way, someone professional can determine the problem, quote you a price, and then YOU determine if it is something you can do yourself, you want to pay to fix, or if you just want a new water heater.

Then sit on it til January. :)

Sorry about the cold showers!! Definitely try to work around that somehow!! (DH and I shower together on days we are home together.... hee hee)

~Aravis~

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 1:23pm

Could you maybe take your showers in the evening before bed? That way the water heater would have time to heat the water up by morning for your Dh's shower. That might help you to make it last until next month.

Have you researched online what could make a water heater stop heating the water? If it's a simple fix, you might be able to do it yourself. 11 years seems fast for a water heater to break. Ours is 12 years old and works fine, and my parents replaced theirs after 30 years (it sprung a leak).

Pat

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Fri, 12-16-2005 - 10:40pm
Hi, antonucci. Well, eleven yrs old is getting up there for a water heater. You didnt mention if it is one of those energy-efficient heaters, or under warranty. Water heaters can be pesky. Sediment accumulates, and sometimes, they need to be drained. We once had the water heater leak and it was a mess! I would start saving for a new, energy-efficient one, if home repairs fail. It would save you $$$ in the long run. Be sure and get a water heater "blanket" for it, as this will also cut costs, too.Whiz.