Sorry to hear this. I installed a new 50 gallon propane heater myself. Cost $900 for the heater. Took me about four hours.
Same here! Had to replace one in the other house. Took longer to drain the old one and unpack the new one that it did to install the new one. Threw the old one in the back of the truck and took it to the salvage yard, they give 35 dollars for old water heaters, I guess they strip the components and resale them. I built my outside deep fryer using the burner from an old water heater. I hate seeing how some get taken to the cleaners and how some states and municipalities encourage it. I live out in the county, there are no rules. OK maybe a few like don’t shoot cows or the neighbors, although I wish they’d wave that neighbor thing. I’ve got one down the road needs tuning up a little.