06-26-2011, 04:32 PM
I'd wait until it springs a leak, then I'd replace it myself. I did one several years ago--turn it off, drain it, disconnect the electric, disconnect the water, haul it out. Then reverse. It took maybe an hour and it cost a couple hundred $ for the heater. In any case, if the heater isn't in a place with a drain, I'd make sure to put the new in a drain pan.