DIY Heater replacement?

[sande005]

While I realize pool stores have to make a living, the single written quote on a direct replacement of my heater (basic Raypak Digital 266 btu) was $1,000 above the shipped cost of the model seen on line...and installation (travel, disposal of old, plumbing, electrical, permits, etc) was unspecified extra. While I can do water line plumbing easily, dealing with gas regulators and connecting gives me a slight pause. Have done low pressure gas before, but not high pressure to low. Electrical no issue. Testing and verifying correct operation of the gas controls - completely out of my experience. Of that age where "paying a guy" is becoming the preferred option for many things.
But...paying what could be a $2000 premium!
So, for those that have done it - how "out-of-the-box" operable would the heater be, assuming I get all the basic connections correct?
Two pool places I asked would not do install only - had to buy from them completely. Any luck with having a conventional plumbing/heating/cooling company do the installation - it can't be that far out of their wheelhouse from doing a water heater or furnace?
I'll start making the rounds for more quotes. But it keeps nagging at me about what that those that buy from the big on-line sellers do after the box lands in their driveway?

 

[sktn77a]

Call a couple of independent pool service guys and see if they will install an online purchase. The installation is pretty basic (these guys don't have advanced degrees!) the only challenge is the gas connection. If you are replacing the same model heater, that becomes easy slot-in, you should be able to do that yourself.

 

[sande005]

Probably will be, I'm mostly fretting - and don't relish having to deal with the dead body. Current high pressure to low connection seems a bit dodgy. The line splits with a valve - one leg via valve that goes to an indoor fireplace (so only one of the appliances can work at a time). The other goes to the heater regulator - that I'd like to replace also, being really old. And I see no drip legs, which I though was code.....

 

[Pauls234]

I was in the identical position a couple of years ago - exact replacement heater so no problem w plumbing or electric, but hesitant about gas connection given I'd never done it before, didn't want to pay $2k premium.

I called my local plumber asked if they would do the gas connection only and they said no problem. I mentioned I needed to get heater from garage to back yard and he said I'll make sure to throw a hand truck in the vehicle.

I harvested some parts from the old just in case and put the rest at the curb for the scavengers.

 

[Bill1974]

If you have the manuals for the old and new heater check to see if they are the same gas supply requirements. If it is the same and connections are in similar areas on the units install is not a challenge. The gas pressure even when it's referred to as high is really pretty low (only a few PSI) and easy to seal with proper sealant and tightening of of connections. Check all the gas connections even the ones you did not mess with with soapy water for leaks.

I am not sure if the heater has to pipe only with hard/rigid pipe or if flexible pipe is permitted in your area. If hard/rigid pipe, getting the right combination of pipe lengths and fitting is the only challenge.

If the heaters have different supply requirements or need to be adjusted after install to make sure they are burning correctly using a combustion analyzer and pro is the way to go. But I am sure you can find a pro to make the final connection and check the combustion if you do the rest of the install yourself for significantly less.

 

[InyoRich]

It sounds like you won't have this issue (especially if the gas regulator/supply is relatively close to the heater), but be sure whatever gas regulator and supply line you use is sufficient for the heater you purchase. The specifications will be in the installation manual for whatever heater you purchase.

One benefit of having an installer give it their blessing at some point in time is that it may make warranty service easier. Most manufacturers will turn you away for warranty service if you install it yourself, though the modern gas heaters are very reliable.

 

[wayner]

I see people talk about plumbers to do gas line work. Do plumbers do gas work in some jurisdictions? Here in Ontario Canada I have always thought of gas fitter as being different from plumber.