Electric water heater replacement in Bethesda, MD

Our master plumber found a corroded flue pipe on a homeowner's leaking gas water heater in Bethesda. Fixing the flue and chimney connection would have made a new gas heater expensive, so we suggested a 50-gallon electric water heater instead. It needs no flue, lowered the cost by about 80 percent, and the homeowner is happy with the result.

Old cream-colored gas tank water heater with a metal flue pipe rising to the ceiling in an unfinished basement — **Before:** Before: the old gas water heater, shut off after it started leaking.

Old corroded metal flue pipe entering a chimney thimble in a basement ceiling — **Before:** Before: the corroded flue pipe where it meets the chimney. Replacing it, with the chimney work, made a gas replacement costly.

Old rusted pipe and a capped fitting next to basement ductwork — **Before:** Before: old, rusted piping near the water heater.

New gray State ProLine electric water heater in a black drip pan with a blue expansion tank above it in an unfinished basement — **After:** After: the new 50-gallon State ProLine electric water heater. No flue needed.

New copper water lines rising from the water heater toward the basement ceiling — **After:** New copper lines running from the heater up to the existing plumbing.

New copper piping on top of the water heater with a yellow-handled ball valve and a blue expansion tank held by strapping — **After:** New copper connections, a ball valve on the supply line, and the expansion tank strapped in place.

Base of the new electric water heater in a black drip pan with a drain valve and a water leak alarm on the floor — **After:** The heater sits in a drip pan, with a water leak alarm at its base.

The problem

The home's 40-gallon gas water heater started leaking a few months earlier, so it had been drained and its gas line capped. When our master plumber inspected it, he found the flue pipe that vents the heater's exhaust was corroded where it meets the chimney, and the water piping around the heater was old and rusted.

What our technician found

A gas water heater has to vent its exhaust through a flue pipe into the chimney. A corroded flue has to be replaced before a new gas heater can go in, and chimney work can add a lot to the cost of the job. An electric water heater needs no flue or chimney connection at all, so in a case like this it can be a much more affordable way to get hot water back.

What we did

Inspected the old gas water heater and found the flue pipe corroded where it meets the chimney.
Advised the homeowner that the flue would need to be replaced before a new gas heater could be installed.
Brought in a chimney specialist the same day to give the homeowner an estimate for the flue work.
Because the flue and chimney work made the total cost high, suggested switching to an electric water heater, which needs no flue. This lowered the cost by about 80 percent.
Removed the old 40-gallon gas water heater and hauled it away.
Installed a new 50-gallon State ProLine electric tank water heater in a drip pan.
Re-piped the hot and cold connections in new copper, with a new ball valve on the supply line.
Installed a new thermal expansion tank, supported with strapping from the joists above.
Added a water leak alarm at the base of the heater.

Parts used

50-gallon electric tank water heater (State ProLine)
Thermal expansion tank
Ball valve
Water heater drip pan
Water leak alarm
Copper pipe and fittings

The result

The new 50-gallon electric water heater was installed, the old unit was hauled away, and the job was finished that day. By skipping the flue and chimney work, the homeowner spent far less than a gas replacement would have cost, and was very happy with the work.

Tips for Bethesda homeowners

If your gas water heater's flue pipe is rusted or loose at the chimney, have it checked. A bad flue can let exhaust into the home.
If venting or chimney work makes a gas water heater replacement expensive, ask whether an electric tank is an option for your home.
A thermal expansion tank protects your pipes and the heater's relief valve from pressure build-up as water heats.
A drip pan and a simple leak alarm under a water heater can warn you early, before a small leak damages the floor.

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Corroded Gas Flue in Bethesda: Electric Water Heater Lowered the Cost About 80 Percent