After getting pointers on Reddit, one homeowner took on a water heater replacement without hiring it out. The project ended with hot water restored, the area around the tank looking cleaner, and $60 recovered from scrap copper.
Here's what to know
In a follow-up post on Reddit, the original poster said the job came after a request for guidance in r/Plumbing. They wrote that they "decided to do it all myself … figured why not" and that it "took me 3 days to do it, but I'm happy with what I did. I think it looks a lot nicer. Plus, we have clean hot water again."
The update listed several other changes too: a tray was added under the tank, the wiring was cleaned up, 30-amp switches were installed, a faucet was replaced, and the poster said they added "a thermal tank." They also wrote that "13 lbs of copper got me 60 bucks."
The lone commenter sounded supportive while still flagging a caveat. "I could nit-pick, but you did good," they wrote, adding that flexible supply lines may or may not be allowed depending on the original poster's city or state.
For anyone facing the kind of tank swap this Redditor completed, a heat pump water heater can also deliver savings on electric bills. Energy Star says a family of four can save about $550 per year on electric bills compared with a standard electric storage model.
More background
The homeowner also said the project is not entirely finished, noting plans to remove "the two extra cold water lines headed to the right" because those lines "will serve me no purpose." Before that cleanup, they had already put a tray under the tank, cleaned up the wiring, and added 30-amp switches.
The Department of Energy says water heating typically accounts for about 18% of home energy use.
Local code remained part of the discussion, especially because the commenter mentioned both flexible supply lines and SharkBites on the T&P discharge.
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What can be done?
By the end of the project, the homeowner had completed a three-day DIY replacement, sorted the old copper for scrap, and already decided what to do about the unused cold-water lines.
For people replacing a conventional tank anyway, Cala offers another option. Its customizable smart heat pump water heaters help homeowners decrease their energy bills by heating water exactly when it's needed.
That approach stands out next to the more standard replacement shown in the Reddit post, where the main benefits were restored hot water, cleaner wiring, and $60 back from scrap copper. A smart heat pump model can add ongoing savings to that equation rather than focusing only on the one-time installation.
Where can I learn more?
If you're thinking about replacing a water heater, these stories dig into the same mix of upgrade decisions, Reddit advice, and long-term savings.
• One homeowner found a $650-750 instant rebate in their state after a leak.
• Heat pump water owners said it saves them $430 a year after upgrading.
• After installing one, a homeowner saw major bill savings that quickly covered the cost.
• A cautious homeowner considering the switch heard, "Mine saved me $250 a year."
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