Tuesday, January 06, 2009

When Good Appliances Go Bad

It was one of those good news, bad news things. The water heater itself is fine. It's just the thermostat that's shot. That was the good news. The bad news. The water heater is seventeen years old and there are no thermostats to be had. The temporary solution for now is to crank it up manually to "scald" and sometimes, on a very random, intermittent basis, sort of whenever the water heater feels like it, I'll have hot showers. And other times, well, I won't. A new one? Of course that is the real solution. When I asked the technician, "How much?" he said, "Well, as long as you're sitting down.....and he told me. Oh. My. Kind of the same reaction I had when I went looking at washing machines last summer. Clearly I have not replaced appliances in a very long time. In this century perhaps. There is good news there, too. My utility company will finance the new one. Just pop it on my bill, interest free for ten months. I think I will try to tough it out until after the heating season when the bill drops back out of a range that makes me gasp every time I see it anyway.

The way I see this, it adds an element of interest to my life....what will today's shower hold? Or perhaps I can use it as a way to remind me to be grateful. I have a shower, and sometimes it will be a hot one. And at some point there will be the means to make it consistent again. Good news on many fronts. Choosing my attitude, changing my focus. It's easier to change that than the water temperature, it seems.

8 comments:

Di McCullough said...

Wow.

I would be taking baths, heated by tea kettle.

Or, showering at the gym a lot.

imngrace said...

Oh. My. My condolensces. I have had that happen to me--twice. Is there any way that your home owner's policy can help?

Believe me, stepping into an ice cold shower is really not fun, adventuresome, or remotely nice.

Terri said...

Now...I lived in a house once, while in college (when I was MUCH younger) that had inconsistent heat. It was back in the 70's during the energy crisis...anyway...the inconsitency with heat was dealt with by using the kitchen oven and closing off the kitchen from the rest of house....sleeping was ok, cuz, well, we were sleeping. BUT, and this is a big but....we did have HOT water for the shower.

I guess what I am saying is, there are some things we can be flexible with...I'm not sure the temp of water is one of them...at least not on a cold winter morning....

well, anyway...blessings to you as you figure out what and where your flexibility line will drawn....

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Having just replaced a terribly ineffective water heater, I know exactly what price range you're talking about . . . but I also know how happy you'll be once you get a replacement.

Jan said...

You are a strong woman. I love showers and would find it difficult to have that inconsistency.

Mary Beth said...

You sure do have a good attitude! :)

Mary Beth said...

oh, and Mompriest's comment reminded me about living in central Texas without AC.

I ate a lot of popsicles.

Yolanda said...

I know the feeling. May all you showers be warm this coming year.