Hot Water Woes? How We Saved 50% on a Tankless Water Heater (and What You Should Know Before You Buy)
I’ve been a bit MIA lately—life’s been full, fun, and just a little bit crazy! We recently returned from a much-needed vacation (absolutely marvelous, by the way 🙌), and let’s just say, re-entry into “real life” came with a surprise.
Picture this: I step into the shower, ready to start the day, and the water is ice cold. 😱 Not just a little chilly—cold enough to wake the neighbors.
Later, my husband took a peek in the basement and discovered the culprit: our water heater had sprung a leak.
Leaking power vent gas hot water heater
Circa 2005
🚿 The $8,500 Wake-Up Call
We jumped online and started searching for a replacement, landing on Lowe’s.com where we clicked the “Free Estimate” button. Sounds easy enough, right? A plumbing contractor from Indianapolis came out to take a look and dropped these jaw-dropping numbers:
$5,500 for a gas power vent water heater
$8,500 for a tankless model 😳
Yikes!
Cue the deep breaths. For empty nesters trying to live wisely and frugally, that number just wasn’t going to fly.
🛠️ Our Tankless Water Heater Solution (and Huge Savings!)
We took a few days, did our homework, and gathered multiple quotes from local plumbers.
We ended up choosing a top-of-the-line tankless gas water heater—perfect for our four-bathroom home, laundry, and all the kitchen chaos that still occurs even in our empty-nest phase.
✅ Final price: $4,200
✅ Installed by a trusted local contractor
✅ Savings: Over 50%
Lesson learned: Never accept the first quote, especially from a big-box store. Companies like Lowe’s often outsource their installs, meaning you’re not always dealing directly with the supplier or installer. That can lead to higher costs and less control over the process.
💡 What to Do When Your Water Heater Quits
If you’re a midlife mom or empty nester dealing with a surprise water heater meltdown (because let’s be honest—this stuff always happens at the worst time), here are a few quick tips:
Don’t panic—start researching.
Know the type of unit you need and the size that fits your home and lifestyle.Get multiple quotes.
Three or more is ideal. Call local plumbers directly and compare apples to apples.Consider going tankless.
If your home is set up correctly, it can be more energy-efficient and reliable in the long run.Ask the right questions.
Is the quote all-inclusive? What’s the warranty? Are they licensed and insured?Buy local when you can.
Not only does it save money, but it also supports your community, and you may even get better customer service.
☕ From Cold Showers to Cozy Comfort
This little adventure reminded me how important it is to advocate for ourselves in midlife, whether that’s in relationships, health decisions, or home maintenance. You deserve warm showers and a warm bank account!
If this story helped you—or made you laugh a little—share it with a friend who’s navigating the ups and downs of homeownership in this new season of life.
👉 Have you ever had a surprise home repair? I’d love to hear your story—drop a comment or connect with me over on Instagram @connecthomelife.
Until next time, may your coffee be strong and your water warm. ☕
—Jo 💛
“Our mission: Navigating change with faith, inspiring connection, passion, & purpose. ”
