Our hot water heater has been dripping for the last couple of months, and I have been dreading dealing with it. Today we stopped into Home Depot to see what they have. The 50 gallon model with the 12 year warranty is $390, plus $240 if I have them install it for a total of $630 plus tax.

I also just left a message for the plumbing company that installed the one we have now for an estimate.

The brand of heater we have now is A.O. Smith. Never heard of them, but from their website it looks like they just sell to contractors. I don't know if that is good or bad.

The Home Depot carries the G.E.  SmartWater line of hot water heaters.