ok, so the c-w's are just plain lucky folks. this morning about 4:15 ecw awoke to smells of putrid smoke, and discovered the basement waterheater aflame........luckily nothing else was likewise burning, and he was able to contain the disaster. the plumbers seem perplexed on the duelelectrical wires coming out of the top- despite the sticker on the side that says that their company installed this unit.......we have been informed that they will return with a new unit, but that we may want to call an electrician to wire it in........maybe we will all be able to take a shower for christmas...we are only a fews hours into a 'day without a shower' but already i feel out of sorts and cranky.....