Water heater · Carlos Ruiz
Family of five, tank or tankless
Carlos and Elena Ruiz, married with three kids. Carlos is handy and met you at the door, and Elena is home too.
What you know walking in
Estimate. Homeowners report the water heater is leaking and the family runs out of hot water most mornings. They want to compare a tank and a tankless unit. 40-gallon gas tank in the garage. Not a member.
- 40-gallon atmospheric gas water heater, 11 yrs
- Pressure regulator on the main line
What you found
- The tank is leaking at the base. Once a tank leaks, it cannot be repaired.
- A 40-gallon standard tank is small for five people. That is why the hot water runs out in the morning.
- There is no expansion tank, and the house has a pressure regulator. Code requires one on the new install.
- The gas line can supply a high-recovery tank. A tankless unit would need a larger line from the meter.
- The water is hard. A tankless unit here would need descaling about once a year.
Your price book for this job
40-gallon standard gas, same size as now
New 40-gallon gas water heater · Thermal expansion tank · Two seismic straps · Permit and haul-away
$1,890
or $49/mo
50-gallon high-recovery gas, 10-year warranty Fits this home
New 50-gallon high-recovery gas water heater · Vent connector sized for the new unit · Thermal expansion tank · Two seismic straps · Permit and haul-away
$2,850
or $73/mo
Condensing tankless gas, 12-year heat exchanger warranty
199,000 BTU condensing tankless water heater · Larger gas line from the meter · PVC venting and a 120-volt outlet · Isolation valves for yearly descaling · Permit and haul-away of the old tank
$5,450
or $140/mo
The honest fit is marked. Recommend what the home needs, and only that.
Your goal
Learn what each spouse cares about and recommend the option that solves the morning hot water problem without overspending. Ask for a decision both spouses agree to.
Difficulty: Real world
Plan you can offer
- Summit Care Club$19.95 a month
Speak naturally. Carlos hears you, reacts to how you say things, and remembers. Headphones make it feel real.