Direct swap out (almost)
Please keep me honest and go easy on me.... Money is tight and my 20+ year old BW electric heater has an element/thermostat issue I just confirmed - lower element has continuity but not getting 240 to it so think a stat is bad. I know I'm on borrowed time and debating on just replacing it though I have a tune up kit at the ready that should get me up and running.
My dilemma: is it's an old 80 gal residential so quotes to replace with an 80 are $3k and up, I've got some quotes to go to a 50 gal (4 person, 2 normal bath house so should be ok) because of the cost but even those are over $2k. The water heater itself I can purchase from my local supply house for $750 and I think I can just basically plug and play but wanted to get opinions on the slight offset in the pics and if there is anything I'm missing...
The new spec is 59 to top and 60 1/4 to top of fitting for a tall. The old 80 sits at 59 to the top but has a slightly higher hot nipple than cold, so there is a total of maybe 1 to 1 1/2 inches offset between the two as currently plumbed. The plumbing was all recently redone and after the required length of copper off the tank both lines go to pex so I should have some 'play' to work with and I'm thinking I can drop the hot raise the cold slightly by messing with the pex (taking a couple local staples out and unstrapping the expansion tank) and should basically be able to unscrew the old one and put the new one in with not additional plumbing required.
Let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance. I would be great to save the money and get rid of the ticking time bomb - and I don't mind or fear the work, just want to make sure it looks like a good plan to you pros!
Edit: both nipples are 8 inches apart old and new and the 50 gal tank is much skinnier than the old 80 so no issues landing the lines in the same spot.