I have always looked to Canada as the sensible, yet still cool neighbor to the north. Sensible politics, logical health care system, good music, fantastic speakers. Kinda like a cool, older brother who just says his O's funny.

But then I found out something that has left me crestfallen, broken-down and disheartened:
MOST CANADIANS RENT THEIR HOT WATER HEATERS!!!!
And yes, it deserves all caps. Of all the things sensible
Canadians do well, they are taken like rubes at a carney by renting a product that is easily cheaper to buy than rent.

One service, Direct Energy, charges over $15 a month for a water heater. Direct Energy has over 1.4 million customers in Ontario. So that's $180 a year for a product that lasts 10-15 years and is virtually maintenance free.

We just paid $750 for a top of the line 50 gallon water heater (heater and labor installation costs included). Barring any substantial mishap (our last heater lasted 12 years), we are paying $5.20 per month or approx $62.50 per year to own our water heater, or at a Direct energy customers rate of pay, we will have paid off the water heater in a little over 4 years.

Canadians are raked over the coals leasing water heaters. It's horribly irresponsible. Canadians, I thought I knew you. Please tell me you don't fall for those Nigerian $$$ scams too. Please tell me you are the cool brother I thought you were.

Ah, younger brother's. Always thinking you've got everything figured out. There are a number of reasons why, (at least here in ontario) we rent.

1) Our water is incredibly hard. Even with a softener, most tanks only last 8 to 10 years. The company I work for changes out ~10 per week, and 90% of them are of this vintage.

2) Crap is more expensive here. A quality 50 gallon, natural gas, power vented tank, would cost around $2300 PLUS TAX to have installed. Once the government gets paid, that's $2600 out of pocket.

3) Canadians love credit. Even more than you do. The non-mortgage debt load of the average Canadian is $26,000. We hate paying for stuff out right. Ok, the last comment was presumptuous, but the $26k is legit. The average Joe just doesn't have the dough to pay cash.

So there it is. $2600 amortized over 10 years is just over $21 per month. And in just 6 to 8 years, the warranty is already over. The rental payment covers 100% of all repairs, and emergency replacement if the thing fails. We're ok with that.

Let me know if you need me to score you a fake ID, get you into the strip club, or run interference with the old man. Luv ya brother!

And we will have to have a talk about what you consider "sensible politics". LOL

Bro,

Thanks for the reply. Surely in the spirit of capitalism someone has to try to make a buck off of sellling inexpensive water heaters. Maybe I've found my career calling?

Can you get me a case of beer so I can think about the implications of what you've said?

There is more to Canada than Ontario, never heard of renting a water heater here in Alberta.

I have owned homes in four provinces and never heard of a HW heater rental. And sorry Shawn but 2600.00 for a convential heater seems way over the top. In my last place, I got ten years out of 375.00 heater twice.

Just my opinion anyway.

Me neither. Never heard of renting a water heater. At least not at a residential level.

Well, I have read the majority of people in Ontario rent water heaters. You guys need some type of Occupy Ottowa thing to bring awareness to the gov't of this mass inefficiency.

Well, as long as you researched one of our thirteen provinces and territories, I'm sure you got it right.

And you wonder why we film things like this..........
Rick Mercer -- Talking to Americans.

I don't know why you film things like that, because your link is no good.