Water heater situation
8 Replies
Samantha Klein
Investor from Monroe, Wisconsin
posted over 3 years ago
I am closing tomorrow on a property with a fuel oil fired water heater from 1988. The heater is rusted at the bottom and is "on borrowed time" so I am looking to replace it with a natural gas heater. The heater is in the basement next to 2 forced air natural gas furnaces and should be easy to install a new gas water heater however the current tenants in this duplex split the cost of the fuel oil. The gas and electric are separated but if I put a new heater in, I would have to put it on one of the tenants gas meters. Is there something I am overlooking? This property has only 1 water heater and 1 water meter so I pay the water.
Jim Murray
Investor from Lincoln, RI
replied over 3 years ago
@Samantha Klein It sounds like you are not overlooking anything.
Are the water lines to each unit clearly marked? If so, maybe it makes sense to put in 2 Hot Water tanks and split out that utility as well.
Samantha Klein
Investor from Monroe, Wisconsin
replied over 3 years ago
Max T.
Investor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
replied over 3 years ago
2 water heaters. one for each
Thomas S.
replied over 3 years ago
If the tenants presently split the cost of the oil why would you ever change the hot water to gas. There seem to be no upside in complicating the situation since there is absolutely no benefit to you.
Buy a new oil fired hot water tank.
Jim Murray
Investor from Lincoln, RI
replied over 3 years ago
@Samantha Klein If you I couldn't easily add another one I would include it. Typically for including hot water we could get between $25-50 per month for rent in my area and the gas for hot water should only cost $25-50 monthly.
Jason Cook
from Streamwood, Illinois
replied over 3 years ago
get an electric water heater.
Matthew Paul
from Severna Park, Maryland
replied over 3 years ago
Originally posted by @Thomas S. :
If the tenants presently split the cost of the oil why would you ever change the hot water to gas. There seem to be no upside in complicating the situation since there is absolutely no benefit to you.
Buy a new oil fired hot water tank.
Oil hot water heaters are very expensive and require routine service calls for cleaning
Matthew Paul
from Severna Park, Maryland
replied over 3 years ago
i think I have a solution . But it depends on the layout of your plumbing . If you can isolate the hot water feeds for both units , put in gas fired instant heat hot water systems