[MrMatt]

You're telling me $800k home builders are eking out a living on water tank rentals? Why don't they rent out the HVAC, toilets and everything else?

The original questions still stands. Why are Ontarians the only ones who fall for this sham?

This article is from 4 years ago.. rates have gone up with inflation now



You can buy your dream home, but hot water heater only for rent

They also offer HVAC rentals and service contracts.
I assume the water heater contractors pay a small kickback.

You miss a LOT of details if you don't have a good agent, and many new home buyers don't have agents.
For example AC was an add on to my spec home.

Payback on water heater is just a few years, FYI my rental died/needed repairs at 11 years, that's when I chose to replace it.

 

[MrMatt]

How does the water tank rental company make a profit?

Buying and installing a water heater RETAIL is less than 4 years in rental fees.
most water heaters last 15-20 years in Ontario (From memory from an annual report from consumers waterheaters back in the early 2000's)
That's how they make a profit.

No doubt ... I bet most that rent HW tanks live "pay check to pay check" or they have no idea how to cost something out over time.

Nope, it's something people don't even think about it.
It's normal, and when some plumber comes by saying "Give me $2k to save you $30/month", they dismiss it, or they call the water heater company and hear about penalties.

FYI the penalties end at about 7 years, well after they've already made a good profit on the water heater.

 

[MrMatt]

You must have had a generous water heater rental company to end the penalty at 7 years.

Reliance

 

[MrMatt]

Some people just don't want the burden of shopping for a water heater and then shop for a contractor to install it. And some of them already know they are paying a premium for their peace-of-mind. It's like life insurance or travel insurance.

My plumber will buy, deliver, install, remove and return, all for one convenient fee.
He didn't even charge a markup for the purchase of the water heater.

They did want an extra $50 for delivery fees, which is less than the rental company charges for pickup

 

[MrMatt]

Lucky you. How long did it take for you to find a trustworthy plumber?

Neighbour/friend referral, otherwise finding reliable contractors or service providers is nearly impossible.

Looks like you two have a job to do convincing Ontario not to rent anymore.

You can only convince those who wish to learn.

 

[MrMatt]

So why don't you rent your furnace? I'll avoid using the term HVAC since that confused some Ontarians

Who doesn't know what HVAC is?
They're actively promoting trades (including HVAC) in Ontario elementary schools.

 

[MrMatt]

You had to ask. Apparently sags thinks HVAC is AC. I don't think sags or beaver paid attention in elementary school

it is.
HVAC

 

[MrMatt]

What do you call a HVAC mechanic?

Rob, because that's his name.

Honestly If it isn't making heat I ask for a furnace guy, if it ins't making cold (air) I ask for an AC guy. or I just might ask for an HVAC guy.

Why don't tenants rent HVAC then sags? Why don't tenants lug their HVAC everywhere they move sags?

Typically HVAC is the installed system, but Reliance rents those too.

Portable AC units are just that, portable units.
Some people buy them, but if you're sufficiently bad at math, you can rent them for

https://www.easyhome.ca/seasonal/air_conditioner_heater_aodandpa100he5bdb

 

[MrMatt]

My original question was why do so many Ontarians rent hot water tanks but not HVAC systems?

History, they've done it that way, so they keep doing it that way.

The option to rent furnaces is there, but most new builds include a furnace (but oddly not AC)

Cold water pump? Most houses don't have one.
If you mean sump pump, at $100 to buy I don't think they're worth the paperwork.

 

[MrMatt]

I wanted to buy a house once and it came out in negotiations that they were renting their furnace. So it does happen! (didn't buy it in the end)

I would have just had a clause "removal of all rental equipment" or "rental contracts not assumed by buyer"

 

[MrMatt]

We made the contract conditional on them paying out the rental on the furnace so that it would be owned by us. But in the end we couldn't agree on price so I can't say how it would have worked out.

Yeah, that's the right call.

if it's an unknowable cost, dump it on the seller.

 

[MrMatt]

So how does one get rid of a rental water heater and buy their own?

Call them and ask what the buyout is.

Find a plumber and have them install the new one. They'll either pick it up from the supply shop, or you can buy one from Home depot.

 

[MrMatt]

There is more to Ontario than Toronto. Ontario is bigger than Germany.

I honestly think it would be good to split off Toronto as it's own province.
It is really different. That's one of the reasons they are run under different laws than other municipalities (ie the City of Toronto Act)

They also think that any concern of the city of Toronto is automatically a Provincial/national concern, because they're so important to the proper functioning of the province/country.