Mid-Tenn Home Solutions provided excellent, professional work. Very prompt service, with installation of a replacement tankless water heater in three business days from first contact. Solid advice on which unit would be best for me. Most reasonable price. Friendly, patient explanations on use and maintenance. This plumber bought this unit from his supplier: Rinnai RL75en, natural gas for outdoor use. When plumber Rocky Burrell initially phoned, he introduced himself to me and asked for my current Rinnai model (2006, R85e) and serial number. I also sent a picture by text to him. Rocky called back that Friday with an estimate. (Because this was a replacement unit and not an original installation, no new plumbing, gas or electric would be needed). His estimate was $2,885, which included Rinnai RL75en, labor, a valve kit to enable annual cleaning, and another visit here in one year (at no cost) to clean the filter and remove any debris. Rocky and his crew installed the new unit in 90 minutes on the following Tuesday. I could not be more satisfied.
I donât write customer reviews, but I am doing it in this case for 2 reasons: 1) MidTenn Home Solutions was more than satisfactory in every way, and 2) My earlier request for an estimate to Lowes (in Lebanon,TN) resulted in an incredibly outrageous estimate. I hope others will not get caught up in this price gouging. The estimate from the Lowes contractor in Tennessee
was for $6,000! Thatâs not a typo. $6,000!, not for original installation but a simple replacement of one new Rinnai for my similar 2006, R85e exterior tankless water heater. The Lowes contractor was very courteous and professional. When I almost dropped to the floor by such an estimate, the plumber said âYes, that doesnât seem possible to be so high for a replacement unit.â With his phone on speaker, he double checked with his office and said âIâm sorry, but that is our price.â The next day someone from the Lowes contractor called to see how the estimate visit went. I told him the estimated price of $6,000, and he said, âThat must be a mistake. Iâll send another person to give you a different estimate.â Ten days later, no one else from the contractor has contacted me. For decades, I have been a very satisfied Lowes customer. This was a shock!
One final personal note in this already lengthy customer review. When I spent a week or so, on and off, researching what tankless water heater I should buy to replace the one that had quit working, I came to these two conclusions: 1) Another Rinnai would probably be the best brand to buy. I know 15 years doesn't seem like a long time for a good tankless water heater to last, but mine has been used much more than usual because we have had a household of 6 younger people here for the last 10 years. 2). Researching this, I came upon a piece of very important information that was new to me: a fine water heater like my 2006 Rinnai can last even 20 years or more BUT it is essential to annually give it a thorough cleaning with vinegar and water. I Never did that maintenance. That is why I asked the plumber this time to install a valve assembly that would enable annual cleaning. The plumber said, yes the valve was a good idea, and that we would still need a recirculating pump to push the vinegar water through. He will bring his pump for the free check up a year from now, but after that I'll either have to find a recirculating water pump or get help.
