Home-owners...What are your current projects? (8 Viewers)

[Chaos Commish]

I have an unusual situation happening with my house and was hoping someone could offer advice or tell me who to call about this.

I have a bird that decided to build her nest in an exhaust pipe of my house. The pipe exhausts from my over the range microwave to the outside, about 5 ft up from the microwave, and then 9 ft to the outside. This dumb bird built the nest all the way down to the end of the pipe, basically right on top of the microwave. We tried running the exhaust fan the other day and got a horrible noise. We have heard baby birds, but I think it will be impossible for them to get out. 

I'm sure having a bird's nest in a pipe like this could be a good cause for a fire. I might be able to remove the microwave on my own, but I would need a way to completely clear the pipe. 

That's pretty nuts. Over the stove microwaves are almost always mounted with two heavy bolts in the cabinet above. You can unscrew them without the unit dropping because it has slots in back slid into other slots on a bracket mounted to the rear wall (though I might brace it with a 2x4 from stovetop to center front frame just in case). With the two top bolts removed you can lift it off the brackets after freeing up whatever is connecting the vent (could be little screws, could be tape, won't take but a minute regardless). At that point I have no idea what you'll find but you may be able to save the nest and put it in a tree. You will certainly be able to clear the vent (which needs to happen before it's plugged with bird droppings). Have fun. 

 

[Slider]

Either blow them out from the microwave with a blower/compressor or shop vac them from the outside. This is no time to have feelings. 

 

[parasaurolophus]

Buy a burmese python. Drop it down there with a string tied to its tail. 

 

[Chaos Commish]

Either blow them out from the microwave with a blower/compressor or shop vac them from the outside. This is no time to have feelings. 

If the nest is where he says it is then it's probably not coming out through the roof and might come out with the unit. A shop vac from the inside will reach it and do the job. If it's not where he thinks it is a bucket under the pipe and a plumbing auger from the top would be my choice.

 

[leftcoastguy7]

If the nest is where he says it is then it's probably not coming out through the roof and might come out with the unit. A shop vac from the inside will reach it and do the job. If it's not where he thinks it is a bucket under the pipe and a plumbing auger from the top would be my choice.

Great advice, thank you.

 

[Bossman]

Great advice, thank you.

Also you will want to install wire mesh over the top of that pipe as the birds tend to use the same nesting spot year after year.

 

[Bossman]

6 year old 65" Plasma TV stopped working. Watching it the other night and the picture went black. Still had sound.

In an attempt to salvage my $2800 television, I researched repair options vs sending it to a repair shop ...or replacing (I know, the new tv's are cheaper now ... but I like this one and it would pain me to send it to the dump).

Took it apart to look for an obvious issue. Bulging capacitors, burnt area on a circuit board ... found nothing.

Bought a multi-meter to test for voltage. Seems to have voltage everywhere ... so without knowing what the "proper" voltage is supposed to be at these various boards, no telling which of the 13 boards is bad.

Aparantly parts are now obsolete for this antiquated 6 year old Samsung Smart 3D TV .... so I purchased 4 "used" boards to replace the ones that I've learned are typically the cause of the "no picture" symptom.  Changed the BIG one, hit the power and shes ALIVE!

Before putting it back together I left the back off and after 3 hours it was still working. Put it back together, hung it on the wall.

Next day, about an hour into watching ... bang, picture out again. Ugh, so now I'll replace the other 3 boards that I purchased. Good times.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

6 year old 65" Plasma TV stopped working. Watching it the other night and the picture went black. Still had sound.

In an attempt to salvage my $2800 television, I researched repair options vs sending it to a repair shop ...or replacing (I know, the new tv's are cheaper now ... but I like this one and it would pain me to send it to the dump).

Took it apart to look for an obvious issue. Bulging capacitors, burnt area on a circuit board ... found nothing.

Bought a multi-meter to test for voltage. Seems to have voltage everywhere ... so without knowing what the "proper" voltage is supposed to be at these various boards, no telling which of the 13 boards is bad.

Aparantly parts are now obsolete for this antiquated 6 year old Samsung Smart 3D TV .... so I purchased 4 "used" boards to replace the ones that I've learned are typically the cause of the "no picture" symptom.  Changed the BIG one, hit the power and shes ALIVE!

Before putting it back together I left the back off and after 3 hours it was still working. Put it back together, hung it on the wall.

Next day, about an hour into watching ... bang, picture out again. Ugh, so now I'll replace the other 3 boards that I purchased. Good times.

I have been through this before with TV's and other appliances.  Things are basically being made to be replaced these days and not fixed.  I try and limit the burn by never buying the latest and greatest, and looking at the non-major brands.  For example, the Vizio TV's.  I got sick of being let down when my top of the line (in it's day) stuff broke. 

 

[Bossman]

I have been through this before with TV's and other appliances.  Things are basically being made to be replaced these days and not fixed.  I try and limit the burn by never buying the latest and greatest, and looking at the non-major brands.  For example, the Vizio TV's.  I got sick of being let down when my top of the line (in it's day) stuff broke. 

good point. I might me in the market for a Vizio here. Put the three other boards in the tv and no dice. I think one of the boards corrupted the first board that I put in. 

I ordered another one of those and a main power board. If that doesn't do it then its off to the transfer station and I'm shopping for a tv.

 

[Bossman]

Purchased new washer / dryer. Plumbed in the new gas dryer and no heat.

Scratchin my head ... gas is on, plugged in, dryer runs, drum turns .. wtf??

Ran it several times suspecting maybe just air in the gas line but after many attempts it's obviously something else.

Listening for the "click" of the igniter ...or gas valve opening ... no click.

So I take off the little square sight window cover to get a look at the igniter ... and see that the igniter wasn't plugged in. AAARGH!

Now take apart my BRAND NEW dryer to make the connection. Reassemble and she fired right up as it should.

So using the new dryer for the very first time, my daughter put in an avg size load to dry ... 

it runs for 5 mins then a loud "CRACK" sound, drum stops spinning, and the smell of something burning.  <_<

Now I take apart my BRAND NEW dryer to find the pulley at the end of the motor shaft has snapped off. Metal shavings all over and the belt was melted and distorted. Quality Maytag.

I call for warranty support ... they come 3 days later. The repair guy says "yup, it's broke. We'll call you in about a week when the parts come in."

Now I have 2 weeks of laundry and another week with no dryer. Good times.

 

[Spike]

My project is the same one I do every 3 years or so - processing 4-6 cords of log length hardwood into firewood and then stacking it. 

With bad wheels now, it gets to be where I need to plan more time to get it all done while the weather is nice. Would rather not be doing this nights after work in December. 

 

[Worm]

We just bought a house. It's 90% empty, I've only brought my tools over so far, so things are a little easier to tackle with an empty house. Moving in fully in about a week. Projects current/upcoming include:

- Refinishing outdoor tables purchased from a local brewery - Will post some pictures of these soon. They are turning out great. It was $100 for two big tables and 4 big benches. We are going to use them as our patio tables. I am almost done with them - sanding, some epoxy filling, stain, and one coat of poly done. Will put at least one more coat of poly on today and then might call them done.

- Painting kitchen cabinets - The lady really really wants white cabinets in the new house. The existing cabinets are only 7 years old and really pretty nice cabinets, but she wants white to go with the existing dark black speckled granite. I don't want to do it, but oh well. We will be sanding and spraying this weekend. Also going to sand and spray some kids room furniture white while we're at it.

- Headboards - building two wood headboards for the older girls. One wants modern, one wants rustic... I have plans in my head but nothing on paper yet. Was going to try to knock these out this weekend.

- Painting kids rooms - when we have time. Need to take down some GIANT mirrors that were in one of the bedrooms for some reason. Like, giant yoga studio wall mirrors. Ugh.

- Yard - gotta figure out how to get the yard in shape. It's not bad but needs a little TLC.

Good times.

 

[offdee]

- Painting kids rooms - when we have time. Need to take down some GIANT mirrors that were in one of the bedrooms for some reason. Like, giant yoga studio wall mirrors. Ugh.

 A couple of tips on the mirror removal

- Cover that thing in blue painters tape first

- Make sure to have a number of cardboard boxes in the room

- Make sure to have some thick gloves in the room

- then hammer away at the mirror into small pieces.   The tape will keep 90% of the mirror together and allow you to pick all up and easily throw in the cardboard box to haul to dump  (I stress carboard box as using plastic bags of any sort is a disaster as the mirror shards rip through that all over the place.

 

[Worm]

 A couple of tips on the mirror removal

- Cover that thing in blue painters tape first

- Make sure to have a number of cardboard boxes in the room

- Make sure to have some thick gloves in the room

- then hammer away at the mirror into small pieces.   The tape will keep 90% of the mirror together and allow you to pick all up and easily throw in the cardboard box to haul to dump  (I stress carboard box as using plastic bags of any sort is a disaster as the mirror shards rip through that all over the place.

That was kind of my plan, except I was going to try to move them to the garage before busting them up. I think (hope?) I can move them (two big panels) each in 1 piece...

 

[offdee]

That was kind of my plan, except I was going to try to move them to the garage before busting them up. I think (hope?) I can move them (two big panels) each in 1 piece...

They are gonna be heavier than you think.  Busting them up while on the wall and then hauling the weight out in smaller boxes would be my recommendation.   Just put a drop cloth/tarp below the area of smashing. Whatever the tape doesn't keep together will then be on the tarp that you can just roll up and shake out at the dump.

 

[Worm]

They are gonna be heavier than you think.  Busting them up while on the wall and then hauling the weight out in smaller boxes would be my recommendation.   Just put a drop cloth/tarp below the area of smashing. Whatever the tape doesn't keep together will then be on the tarp that you can just roll up and shake out at the dump.

When you say "cover in painters tape" do you mean literally every square inch?

 

[Franknbeans]

Great advice, thank you.

or wait a few weeks and they'll be gone entirely. 

 

[mr. furley]

we opted to buy a 3 ft deep above ground pool. one of those Menard's numbers.

threw it up on Saturday when it was 96 here. 

come Tuesday we had a note from the city stating we had to take the pool down or fence it.

so now i'm putting up a fence and our central air unit blew Saturday night so replacing that as well  and planting a tree in the front yard  which will probably draw the ire of the city, too

a/c is in

fence quote is in

and the calipers on my right rear tire decided to seize about a week and a half ago. just paid to get that repaired

someone want to float a guy a few grand? i won't pay you back. promise.   

 

[offdee]

When you say "cover in painters tape" do you mean literally every square inch?

nah, don't need that extreme, but the more that's covered the less that will splinter off into your drop cloth.  A good spider web looking amount of coverage.  Just X it all over the place with tape.

 

[glvsav37]

Phase II of the whole damn house renovation underway. The Kitchen gut and expand. 

Everything gutted, better header installed to replace the load bearing wall we took down to make the kitchen and adjoining den one large room. Plumbing updated yesterday and today, followed by electrical. Taking a small part of the old den for a much needed mud room space. 

Hit a minor snag when we found water pipes in a wall we were taking down, but my contractor found a way around it. Phew. 

 

[Brony]

We just bought a house. It's 90% empty, I've only brought my tools over so far, so things are a little easier to tackle with an empty house. Moving in fully in about a week. Projects current/upcoming include:

Good times.

Seems like cabinets and painting kids rooms would be the two things that would suck to do once people move in.  Any reason to do the benches ahead of the painting projects? 

 

[Worm]

Seems like cabinets and painting kids rooms would be the two things that would suck to do once people move in.  Any reason to do the benches ahead of the painting projects? 

We just closed on Monday. I started the benches a couple weeks ago but I brought them over because i didn't have a good place to spread out and work on them where I was. I'm really just trying to get the poly on them now so I can get them out of the garage in the new house so I can spray cabinets / furniture in there.

Kind of a whirlwind of stuff. My dad and I will be doing cabinets this weekend while the lady paints rooms.

 

[-OZ-]

It looks like we might need to replace our A/C units soon.  They might be able to last through the summer but we've already had a drip pan overflow and the AC guy came out, warned us that it's going to be needed fairly soon.

Two units, large one for downstairs, smaller for up. We'll probably replace them both at the same time unless someone convinces us otherwise. 

Other than going to home Depot or trusting the AC dude, do y'all have any tips? 

 

[Brony]

We just closed on Monday. I started the benches a couple weeks ago but I brought them over because i didn't have a good place to spread out and work on them where I was. I'm really just trying to get the poly on them now so I can get them out of the garage in the new house so I can spray cabinets / furniture in there.

Kind of a whirlwind of stuff. My dad and I will be doing cabinets this weekend while the lady paints rooms.

Makes sense.  The bedrooms sound like the easier job.  I painted cabinets last year - it's not too bad, but definitely go spray vs roller esp on the poly as you probably already know.   

 

[SWC]

Buy a burmese python. Drop it down there with a string tied to its tail. 

after that you put a mongoose in there to get the snake works like a charm take that to the bank brohan 

 

[SWC]

6 year old 65" Plasma TV stopped working. Watching it the other night and the picture went black. Still had sound.

In an attempt to salvage my $2800 television, I researched repair options vs sending it to a repair shop ...or replacing (I know, the new tv's are cheaper now ... but I like this one and it would pain me to send it to the dump).

Took it apart to look for an obvious issue. Bulging capacitors, burnt area on a circuit board ... found nothing.

Bought a multi-meter to test for voltage. Seems to have voltage everywhere ... so without knowing what the "proper" voltage is supposed to be at these various boards, no telling which of the 13 boards is bad.

Aparantly parts are now obsolete for this antiquated 6 year old Samsung Smart 3D TV .... so I purchased 4 "used" boards to replace the ones that I've learned are typically the cause of the "no picture" symptom.  Changed the BIG one, hit the power and shes ALIVE!

Before putting it back together I left the back off and after 3 hours it was still working. Put it back together, hung it on the wall.

Next day, about an hour into watching ... bang, picture out again. Ugh, so now I'll replace the other 3 boards that I purchased. Good times.

on those big guys it is either a bulb or something called a spinner or something like that my advice is ditch the plasma and get a lcd they are just pretty affordable now even for a dummy like me and the picture will just be so much brighter and better forget about it take that to the bank brochacho

 

[SWC]

We just closed on Monday. I started the benches a couple weeks ago but I brought them over because i didn't have a good place to spread out and work on them where I was. I'm really just trying to get the poly on them now so I can get them out of the garage in the new house so I can spray cabinets / furniture in there.

Kind of a whirlwind of stuff. My dad and I will be doing cabinets this weekend while the lady paints rooms.

worm really look at instructions for painting cabinets especially white in the kitchen they can pick up a lot of greese from cooking etc and that will make paint not stick bubble come off etc and you will probably need a kilz or something like that type primer i have never done this but i know painters and i know that kitchen cabinets that are used going to white is a pita please do some googline and youtubing that is all i am saying and do the hard work only one time not as a redo take that to the bank brohan

 

[SWC]

also if you are a crappy cutter on paint they make these neat pad with wheel things that really help at edges of ceilings etc look in to those take that to the bank bropaintos

 

[SWC]

finally for the rustic headboard they make packs of distressed lumber barnwood style and you can do some neat stuff with that build a frame out of better wood and fill the field with the distressed stuff etc make sure you have a stained background piece of wood so it does not show through joints take that to the bank bromigo

 

[Worm]

worm really look at instructions for painting cabinets especially white in the kitchen they can pick up a lot of greese from cooking etc and that will make paint not stick bubble come off etc and you will probably need a kilz or something like that type primer i have never done this but i know painters and i know that kitchen cabinets that are used going to white is a pita please do some googline and youtubing that is all i am saying and do the hard work only one time not as a redo take that to the bank brohan

Yeah my man, thanks. The plan is:

KRUD KUTTER - de-greaser...read about this stuff and got some off amazon

Sand with 220

Sher-Wood Primer Surfacer - Sherwin williams primer

Sher-Wood Hi-bild Precat Laquer - super fast drying so you can do a lot of coats in a short time... nice hard finish

My pops is a contractor and I researched the crap out of this.

 

[Bossman]

My project is the same one I do every 3 years or so - processing 4-6 cords of log length hardwood into firewood and then stacking it. 

With bad wheels now, it gets to be where I need to plan more time to get it all done while the weather is nice. Would rather not be doing this nights after work in December. 

4-6 cords? That's a ship-ton of wood! Chainsaw and mechanical log-splitter I assume.

Maybe consider switching to fossil fuels?  ... and I agree, much better project when cold. Less sweat and NO BUGS.

 

[offdee]

REALLY want to take down a section of a wall between kitchen and dining room to open them up more to each other (and let more light into kitchen with dining room window).  It's load bearing and I'm all good with putting in a new header....problem is that 2 return air ducts that run to two upstairs bedrooms run right where we want to open up. Ugh.   If anybody has any solution tips I'm all ears. 

 

[wilked]

REALLY want to take down a section of a wall between kitchen and dining room to open them up more to each other (and let more light into kitchen with dining room window).  It's load bearing and I'm all good with putting in a new header....problem is that 2 return air ducts that run to two upstairs bedrooms run right where we want to open up. Ugh.   If anybody has any solution tips I'm all ears. 

https://bp-v-newproduction.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/uploaded_images/normal_1442186495-Ductwork_with_Barn_Door.jpg

see how much hipper your house is now? 

 

[glvsav37]

REALLY want to take down a section of a wall between kitchen and dining room to open them up more to each other (and let more light into kitchen with dining room window).  It's load bearing and I'm all good with putting in a new header....problem is that 2 return air ducts that run to two upstairs bedrooms run right where we want to open up. Ugh.   If anybody has any solution tips I'm all ears. 

we just put a "Better Header" in for the same type of job. Its basically a steel beam sandwiched between 2 2x8s. I was surprised that they didn't even put any smaller holes through the middle for wiring and such. I mean its 3/4 inch thick steel...a few small holes isnt going to bend it. 

No other common walls or closet space you can use to reroute them? 

 

[rascal]

It looks like we might need to replace our A/C units soon.  They might be able to last through the summer but we've already had a drip pan overflow and the AC guy came out, warned us that it's going to be needed fairly soon.

Two units, large one for downstairs, smaller for up. We'll probably replace them both at the same time unless someone convinces us otherwise. 

Other than going to home Depot or trusting the AC dude, do y'all have any tips? 

Is it newish or will you have to replace the inside unit as well (different refrigerant).  If not newish, be prepared to spend at least $10k.

 

[offdee]

we just put a "Better Header" in for the same type of job. Its basically a steel beam sandwiched between 2 2x8s. I was surprised that they didn't even put any smaller holes through the middle for wiring and such. I mean its 3/4 inch thick steel...a few small holes isnt going to bend it. 

No other common walls or closet space you can use to reroute them? 

There would still be a remaining wall next to where they were, but can that be done coming up from basement to second floor for return air ducts...would be a few bends and not a straight shot up.  Keep in mind these are return air ducts...not main heat/AC blowing ducts. 

 

[shuke]

Anyone installed a whole house fan?

 

[offdee]

Rainy Sunday so spent the day making a corner workbench in the garage. Used an old solid 100 lb door as the table top.. old owners left it behind and was just taking up space in garage. Tuned out nice! 

 

[[icon]]

Anyone installed a whole house fan?

No but we had one in our house as I was growing up, and they are AWESOME when the days are hot but the nights are cool.

Always loved the sound of that thing rumbling along upstairs and the faint whistle of the cool night air coming in through the cracked windows around the house. Makes me Nostalgic.  

 

[[icon]]

Rainy Sunday so spent the day making a corner workbench in the garage. Used an old solid 100 lb door as the table top.. old owners left it behind and was just taking up space in garage. Tuned out nice! 

Solid core doors make EXCELLENT workbench tops. We built a mobile bar (for bbqfest and other parties) with one and it has taken a beating over the years and still looks great. 

 

[Worm]

We just bought a house. It's 90% empty, I've only brought my tools over so far, so things are a little easier to tackle with an empty house. Moving in fully in about a week. Projects current/upcoming include:

- Refinishing outdoor tables purchased from a local brewery - Will post some pictures of these soon. They are turning out great. It was $100 for two big tables and 4 big benches. We are going to use them as our patio tables. I am almost done with them - sanding, some epoxy filling, stain, and one coat of poly done. Will put at least one more coat of poly on today and then might call them done.

- Painting kitchen cabinets - The lady really really wants white cabinets in the new house. The existing cabinets are only 7 years old and really pretty nice cabinets, but she wants white to go with the existing dark black speckled granite. I don't want to do it, but oh well. We will be sanding and spraying this weekend. Also going to sand and spray some kids room furniture white while we're at it.

- Headboards - building two wood headboards for the older girls. One wants modern, one wants rustic... I have plans in my head but nothing on paper yet. Was going to try to knock these out this weekend.

- Painting kids rooms - when we have time. Need to take down some GIANT mirrors that were in one of the bedrooms for some reason. Like, giant yoga studio wall mirrors. Ugh.

- Yard - gotta figure out how to get the yard in shape. It's not bad but needs a little TLC.

Good times.

Tables - Done. Had our first outdoor meal this weekend on them... smoked pork loin and griddled veggies.

Cabinets - Jesus christos. This was an all weekend project, and still not completely done. All the door fronts are done, and 80% of the drawer fronts are done, just have a few more to spray tonight. I spent literally all day yesterday spraying inside with a respirator. It looks badass though. Will post a before/after picture after I get everything put back together.

Mirror - Thanks to @Idiot Boxer and @Foosball God the mirror is down and in a box in my garage. I don't know how the #### they did it but thank god for great friends. Those two also helped out a CRAZY amount taping up the kitchen and a variety of other crap.

 

[Foosball God]

Tables - Done. Had our first outdoor meal this weekend on them... smoked pork loin and griddled veggies.

Cabinets - Jesus christos. This was an all weekend project, and still not completely done. All the door fronts are done, and 80% of the drawer fronts are done, just have a few more to spray tonight. I spent literally all day yesterday spraying inside with a respirator. It looks badass though. Will post a before/after picture after I get everything put back together.

Mirror - Thanks to @Idiot Boxer and @Foosball God the mirror is down and in a box in my garage. I don't know how the #### they did it but thank god for great friends. Those two also helped out a CRAZY amount taping up the kitchen and a variety of other crap.

You don't want to know.  Probably one of the top ten stupidest things we've ever done, and that is saying something.  At least we were smart enough to wear safety glasses and put on long pants.  We used a grill spatula to bust it in chunks off the wall.  @Idiot Boxer got slightly injured just watching me.

 

[offdee]

You don't want to know.  Probably one of the top ten stupidest things we've ever done, and that is saying something.  At least we were smart enough to wear safety glasses and put on long pants.  We used a grill spatula to bust it in chunks off the wall.  @Idiot Boxer got slightly injured just watching me.

Did you heavily tape the thing off like I suggested?

 

[offdee]

Rainy Sunday so spent the day making a corner workbench in the garage. Used an old solid 100 lb door as the table top.. old owners left it behind and was just taking up space in garage. Tuned out nice! 

Now with pics

https://www.flickr.com/gp/145687765@N04/S6323p

https://www.flickr.com/gp/145687765@N04/jxv370

 

[Foosball God]

Did you heavily tape the thing off like I suggested?

Nope, we tried scoring it with a glass cutter to get it into smaller pieces but it just didn't work.  The guy used liquid nails to mount it to the wall so it was just a mess.  Tape would have been smart though.

 

[doowain]

Now with pics

https://www.flickr.com/gp/145687765@N04/S6323p

https://www.flickr.com/gp/145687765@N04/jxv370

Looks great.  Very nice work.

9 - The hottest workbench in your garage.  The hottest workbench in your neighborhood. (more locally amazing)

 

[offdee]

Looks great.  Very nice work.

9 - The hottest workbench in your garage.  The hottest workbench in your neighborhood. (more locally amazing)

After I put up a cabinet above, and install a pegboard backslplash and hang some clamps and tools I'm shooting for...

10: Almost flawless and very rare workmanship. Could be a top workbench on Pinterest, cover material on Better Homes & Gardens (nationally amazing, the most desired work surface on HGTV's Property Brothers)

 

[The Tick]

I know we've had some discussion on this before, but what do people think about the differences between gas tank and tankless water heaters.  I'm getting some quotes to replace my 11 year old 50gal tank water heater as it's starting to go bad.  I was thinking about moving to a tankless system for the increased efficiency, and the general idea of not having to keep 50gallons of water hot at all times. It seemed like the right move until I started seeing quotes, I can replace it with another Rheem 50gal tank for about $1700, or I can replace it with a 9.4gal/min Rinnai tankless for about $4500.  Those prices may change a bit as I get a couple more quotes in, but still, it seems hard to justify spending 3x the money to go tankless.  I know i'll save some on gas, but my bill is already only $30/month between stove usage and water heater, so I can't imagine i'd save more then $15/month.

With tankless I also need to chose indoor or outdoor, I was planning for indoor, but it turns out the extra needed ventilation for indoor will cost a couple hundred more than running the water connection outdoor.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Chaos Commish]

I know we've had some discussion on this before, but what do people think about the differences between gas tank and tankless water heaters.  I'm getting some quotes to replace my 11 year old 50gal tank water heater as it's starting to go bad.  I was thinking about moving to a tankless system for the increased efficiency, and the general idea of not having to keep 50gallons of water hot at all times. It seemed like the right move until I started seeing quotes, I can replace it with another Rheem 50gal tank for about $1700, or I can replace it with a 9.4gal/min Rinnai tankless for about $4500.  Those prices may change a bit as I get a couple more quotes in, but still, it seems hard to justify spending 3x the money to go tankless.  I know i'll save some on gas, but my bill is already only $30/month between stove usage and water heater, so I can't imagine i'd save more then $15/month.

With tankless I also need to chose indoor or outdoor, I was planning for indoor, but it turns out the extra needed ventilation for indoor will cost a couple hundred more than running the water connection outdoor.

Any thoughts on this?

Ever since seeing Walt change his disgusting tank to tankless on Breaking Bad, I've wanted to do one, but I haven't been able to justify the cost. Fwiw, I just did 2 Rheem Performance 50 Gallon tanks and my cost was just over 1500 for both. That includes paying a plumber to cut out and replace the old inlet valves. These are simple diy installations, and kind of fun, imo. Two pipe wrenches and some pipe dope, straps if you're code requires. Maybe the best thing about diy-ing these is you have the opportunity to detail their location with fresh paint or whetever. 

 

[shuke]

No but we had one in our house as I was growing up, and they are AWESOME when the days are hot but the nights are cool.

Always loved the sound of that thing rumbling along upstairs and the faint whistle of the cool night air coming in through the cracked windows around the house. Makes me Nostalgic.  

We had one at our last house and it was awesome.

One thing I am reading is to make sure that the unit you install does not move more air than your attic can handle, otherwise the air is going to find ways to force itself back into house.  How would one go about finding/figuring this out?