We have twin 40 gal. hot water heaters here (previous owners had a bunch of kids). Well, one of the heaters that was built in 1991 had begun to fail, so I shut it down and we ran off the other one that was also built in 1991. It failed dramatically this morning! Rear seam in the tank ripped open like it hit an iceberg, and water began to stream out. Time to bite the bullet and get them both replaced. A quick shot online and I've found Home Depot offers the best deal (though still a ripoff: TWO install charges? Huh? They're side-by-side!). Anyway, I order the two tanks: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...0659224&N=10000003+4294962878+527049+10157016 That's the one that fits, though a couple of inches taller than the old one. ALMOST TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER (2 tanks, 2 installs, 1 permit, 2 removal fees, 1 Saturday fee) the tanks show up. They're two different tanks. Here's the other one that showed up: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...184897&N=10000003+90157+527049+780+4294962878 (note the same SKU number for both tanks) So, I ordered 2 of the "VG" model, but instead I get one "VG" and one "VH". Unfortunately, they're pretty different. After some trick gas line adjustments (to code), the heaters are installed. Though not really twins, they are the same color! LOL Aside from their outside dimensions, the units have the same specs. The questions is: do I bring this up with HD when I go to get the strap that the installer didn't have? Do I ask about the non-consented order change, or do I blow it off? Or do I demand they match one or the other?
I would definitely pitch a fit. Talk directly with the manager. Chances are they will knock off a chunk of price or even one of the install fee's.
Yea, you might give it a try to see if you can get some off. But... I think you've got a pretty weak case. Basically you accepted what they sent. I'm guessing they might offer to swap one of them and you'll probably have to pay for all or some of the re-installation. Let's recap. 1) Maybe you could claim that you were under duress being without hot water. But one of them was exactly what you ordered and you had been making do with a single heater before. You could have rejected the one that was not as expected. 2) Maybe if you weren't there you could claim that the person who accepted didn't know they were supposed to be the same and wouldn't have known which was the right one even if they did know they were supposed to match. But they could sort of argue that wasn't their problem. Someone authorized to accept, did so. And they do have the same specs, and you had them hooked up. So even though there may have been a non-consented order change you did accept delivery and consent to the installation. I assume that since they have the same SKU and specs that they are the same price?
Yes- they were the same price. The size difference in diameter caused the gas line hook-up to be a little tricky (and I'm still not 100% happy with that. I doubt the inspector will be either.) I signed nothing and agreed to nothing aside from (2) matching water heaters. Duress? That's putting it mildly. Ever been within ear-shot of a woman who can't take a hot shower first thing in the morning? Unpretty.
x2...and at the very least make it noted to them, that they WILL be back out and fix everything correctly if the inspector doesn't like the way it is all hooked up, now.
I used to work for Home Depot. Bitch up a storm, they will usually bend over backwards to make it right. If not just write a letter to corporate.
Here in SC, most of the power co's have either a totally free replacement or free financing on hot water heaters. I've gotten 2 free ones from my co-op over the years. that includes install too!
This has been bugging me since the install, so.....I took some pics for everyone. The new HWHs: Side view showing the gas lines: Gas lines above: (Note the angle of the main, then the angle of the down-line) THIS is what bugs me the most: Anyone think that will pass inspection?
Inspector is on his way over today. And I still expect him to brutally fail the installation. If he does not, I will be shocked. NOTHING has changed: The manager at HD has continued to refuse to replace the improper part, and the installer just treated me like absolute shit on the phone (Waterworks in Columbus, OH will NEVER get my business again). That 90 deg. gas line connection is still flexed to 95-ish degrees and the gas line remains touching the HWH housing. I have tried like hell to avoid both HD and Waterworks getting black marks on their records, but have been kicked in the balls at every turn. I'll post another update after the inspector leaves.
The units did NOT pass inspection. But not for the reasons I thought. While the inspector wasn't thrilled with how the gas lines were mounted, he said it's technically up to code. Nonetheless, I took the "red card" to HD and talked to a different manager and explained the situation. He seemed to understand the problem and said he'd get back to me ASAP. Updates when I get them.
not in cali you can't!!!! i remember i used to have mine a good 2 feet off the ground!!! here in florida, my water heater is on the ground......
The floor thing is fine. What didn't pass was the flue exhaust line being so close to the water filter PVC. It's supposed to be a 6" minimum; not resting on it. Why is the flue line resting on the water filter PVC? BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT THE WRONG FU*KING WATER HEATER!!!! Since the VG model has different dimensions than the VH model, there are flue issues. I didn't measure all this shit before ordering the units because I was bored. I did it because THAT'S WHAT HOME DEPOT TOLD ME TO DO in order to make sure the correct water heater was ordered!!!!!! Waterworks just left a message on the cell saying they think that fixing the flue issue is going to be time-consuming (labor intensive) and wanted to get me an estimate. That takes fu*king balls. Considering 2 wood screws and the $3 metal strap I had to purchase(!) will do the job in less than 4 minutes. I'm considering buying another VH model, installing it myself, then sending both HD and Waterworks the bills. This isn't a pizza, folks. This is a $2000 job.
I feel your pain after making the mistake of having HD install my new $65,000 kitchen, that took them 3 months to complete. When my 75 gallon water heater died 2 1/2 years ago after 20 years of use, I made a big change and installed a new Rinnai tank less water heater. (With the help of my brother). Just look at all the real estate I gained in the laundry room. The savings from not having a pilot light burning 24/7 is fantastic. Total job cost me about $1,500, and now I have HOT water 24/7. Ken
Looks great, Ken. I did a bunch of research on the tankless heaters, but decided to go with the traditional type for this house. Maybe we'll do tankless in the new place.
It's funny that we spend 5K on are cars and don't complain. Truth of the mater is that 2K is about right for the job. The problem is that HD hires scum bag installers that may not even be Plumbers, in my state anyone that touchs or installs or inspects plumbing must be Licenced with the state. I would do some leg work on the plumbing licence laws for your state and if a licence is required, I would make sure that the person that did the job has a current licence. If the installer was not licenced as a Jurneymen Plumber I would call HD and tell them that the installation was not done up to code (not installed by a Jurneymen Plumber - the person actually doing the work not the shop). Then I would contest the charges if you used a credit card. You should get the installation cost refunded. Hope this helps. 3 gen plumber I know my shit
What I ordered was (2) AVH's. What was delivered was NOT (2) AVH's. What was installed was NOT (2) AVH's. I expect HD to remedy the situation. I don't want to do a charge-back on the CC, but I will if this isn't resolved quickly.
