So here's a blast from the past, a trip down memory lane, a blip from the Wayback Machine: remember back in 2010 when my water heater showed signs of failing?
Being the pro-active kind of guy I am, I investigated a few options and then promptly did nothing about it for 5 more years. And I got away with it, too. Sure, I had to endure shorter and increasingly colder showers during that time, but that just makes me more efficient in the suds bucket.
But the time has finally come to get serious about it or face some kind of WaterWorld armageddon -- or Kevin Costner which might be worse.
And the Big Guy is looking out for us because I just found out that the DoE efficiency standards are changing as of April 15, 2015. After that date you will no longer be able to purchase an 80 gallon electric water heater. (The only gas in my house comes from beer or chili.)
Because regulations. Or heating efficiency. Or Kevin Costner.
After that time you can buy two 50 gallon tanks and water heater/heat pump (mandatory) combo for $4000. Eh, no thanks.
We got the name of a plumber from the church bulletin and put in our order. So far we've been rescheduled 3 times because we are in the worst cold snap since 2010 and everyone's pipes have been bursting. The kids can't go to school because neither the school or the church have heat -- their pipes burst too!
The plumber is mortified that he keeps having to put us off. By the time he gets to us, he may have to give us a hefty discount. (I can dream.)
First thing I'm gonna do when we get that smoking 80 gallon water heater is jump in the hot shower and let it run, and run, and run ...
