Tankless Water Heater - Part 5 - The Second Quote

In Part 4 we had received our first quote on the installation of a Rinnai tankless / instantaneous water heater.

Now, enter company number 2. They have had recently a lot of radio commercials and a program that includes it appears their own promotional discounts. So we give them a call and the first available appointment is 3 weeks or so in the future. They must be busy. And, this company is also promoting the identical Rinnai R75-LSi model as the company who provided our first estimate.

So, the gentleman arrives and we proceed to go down to the basement. Initially he indicates that the position of the furnace, main water intake line and so on will not allow the Rinai to be installed. I then showed where the first company’s salesman had indicated where they would install the unit. Upon reflection and looking at this location, the gentleman from the second company indicates that yes it will fit up against the east wall, close to the main natural gas intake into the home.

He leaves and a few days later, as he promised, he provides his quote. The quotes from both companies are summarized below:

Company 2               Company 1

Rinnai R750LSi                 $2,995                        $2,892

Additional Lines*                   150                                50

Total pre-Discount           $3,145                        $2,942

Promotional Discount           500                              100

Net Before Sales Taxes   $2,645                      $2,842

Warranties:

      10 Years Parts & Labour        5 Years Parts / 1 Year Labour

      12 Years Heat Exchanger     12 Years Heat Exchanger

*Water and electrical lines need to be extended over to the installation location of the tankless water heating unit

So, Company 2 is less by approximately $200 and a much better warranty.

Which company would you go with? Did I forget any important details, like say available financing?

Here are the details of the financing offered to us without us asking:

Company 2   - None offered

Company 1   - Option 1: No payments / interest for 12 months

                          - Option 2: No interest with 24 monthly payments

So, which one would you take and why? Return in a few days to find out our decision and why….it may surprise you.