Skipping basic maintenance can turn an ordinary appliance into a major household problem.
After a neglected pair of water heaters left one family dealing with a sulfur smell, tripped breakers, and a $4,500 replacement quote, they turned to Reddit's r/Homeowners community for advice.
Here's what to know
In the Reddit thread, the original poster said trouble started when both electric AO Smith water heaters in their sister's home began tripping breakers and the water developed a strong sulfur smell.
The OP added that the house is a new build that she has lived in since June 2020 and that the two units had not been maintained. OP wrote: "It's clear the anode rods are totally shot. My question is this, should I even try to fix these or are they too far gone at this point?"
Commenters were nearly unanimous in saying the $4,500 replacement quote sounded too high. The top comment reads: "$4,500 is pretty crazy quote, those things retail for $500 each. Even at $250/hr labor, that's… a lot."
Another user wrote: "Around my area, 40gal electric water heaters are about $500. They are VERY simple to install. Even with new supply lines, you can get both water heaters and 4 new lines for about $1,100."
A third commenter added: "That quote is insane…Don't bother with replacing parts. Just get new ones."
More background
Traditional tank water heaters are easy to overlook until they stop working properly, but sediment buildup, worn anode rods, and failing heating elements can all reduce performance while driving up operating costs. In some cases, sulfur odors can point to reactions inside the tank, while repeated breaker trips may signal an electrical problem that shouldn't be ignored.
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Rather than replacing the units immediately, the poster thought flushing the tanks and swapping out components might be possible. They were also weighing whether putting more effort and money into older equipment made sense after getting a single high replacement estimate.
Several commenters urged the family not to assume that figure reflected the standard cost. One pointed out that "the hardest part of this job is hauling the old units to the dump. Get some more quotes. This is WAY too high."
When inefficient units die, replacing them with heat pump water heaters may make sense, as they generally use far less electricity than resistance models, and local rebates or incentives can sometimes bring down the total cost.
Cala offers this higher-efficiency option. Its customizable smart heat pump water heaters help homeowners decrease their energy bills by heating water exactly when it's needed. That kind of targeted heating can reduce wasted energy while still keeping hot water available when a household needs it most. For anyone replacing an aging tank after years of deferred maintenance, Cala could be worth a look.
Where can I learn more?
If you're deciding between maintenance, repair, and replacement, these stories offer helpful context.
• Homeowners can avoid costly breakdowns with critical tips to keep water heaters running longer.
• Replacing an old tank with a heat pump model can cut bills substantially.
• Switching to a tankless water heater can trim energy use and free space.
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