The home water heater is essential in keeping you warm during the cold months. Over time, however, the unit can become damaged. If this happens, your water heater could stop producing warm water. To repair or replace a water heater can be a tough choice, but often, the latter is the better option.
The cost of replacing a water heater is not that easy for many homeowners. This is because several factors can affect the initial expense involved. To minimize the costs, some people choose to install their new water heater on their own. If not done correctly, however, this can cause serious safety problems.
What Is the Average Cost of a Water Heater Replacement?
When looking to replace a water heater, the cost could be anywhere from a low of 300 to a high of about a thousand dollars. However, this is just for purchasing the unit. Other factors must be considered, which can increase your total purchase expenses.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Replacing a Water Heater
For safety reasons, you should get a professional plumber to install your new water heater. This will form part of your total costs, but the following can also have significant effects:
1. Heater Type
The water heater type you choose to buy will significantly impact the cost of replacement. Generally, you can either get the tank-based heater or the tank-less model. The latter, though, is known for being a bit more expensive.
How you’ll power your water heater can also influence your replacement costs. Although it is possible to modify the original power source for your heater, this will increase the replacement cost. There are three options you can choose from, namely, gas-powered, electric-based, and solar-dependent.
2. Heater Size
A water heater that can accommodate all the bathroom requirements in your home is important. You will, of course, need to purchase a large unit if you have more than one bathroom, but this will mean higher costs.
Additionally, since hot water is used in most appliances in the kitchen and the laundry room, getting a bigger water heater is a must since this carries higher capacity. Unfortunately, this will also mean increased purchase expenses.
3. Permit Cost
A permit is usually required if you’ll be replacing a residential water heater. It will cover the costs of inspecting the site and any upgrades or modifications to your water and electric lines. Often, these will be included in the estimate you’ll get when placing an order for a replacement heater. The service provider will manage the necessary papers, so you don’t need to worry about it.
4. Location
The area where your unit will be installed will also affect the cost of replacing a water heater. Generally, this will be higher if the heater is placed in tight spaces. On the other hand, units installed in easily accessible areas will be charged less. It is because of the labor cost that will be paid out to the installer.
The location cost is also higher for water heaters in places far from the main waterlines, like a barn or a shed. Similarly, a gas-powered heater will involve higher costs since this will require a tall base and a complicated installation process.
5. Old Unit Disposal
It can be costly to get rid of an old water heater as this might not be included in your replacement estimate. Often, you will need to contact the waste disposal company that services your house to arrange for the unit to be taken away.
6. Heater Dimension
Due to new regulations, water heaters are now taller and more spacious than ever before. Given this, you’ll need to measure the space where the unit will be placed and ensure that this can accommodate the new appliance. If not, adjustments may have to be made, especially regarding the access door.
7. Recovery Rate
It refers to the amount of hot water that a heater can warm at a given time. If you need lots of hot water, you’ll have to look for a heater with a high recovery rate. Obviously, this type of water heater will be more expensive than the others.
8. Energy Efficiency Rating
A water heater’s energy efficiency rating is prominently displayed on its body. It also lists its annual energy cost. If you want to reduce the cost of replacing a water heater, not to mention your power bills, choose the unit with a high-efficiency rating.
9. Other Costs
It’s best to stretch your water heater budget for any additional costs. These can include the need to insulate the unit or to make improvements to existing services, as in the case of gas lines. Although they may not be exactly needed, planning ahead is better, especially if you want to cut down on the cost of replacing a water heater.
Key Takeaway
As the water heater is an essential appliance at home, there’s a serious need to take good care of it. One of the best ways to take good care of it is regular maintenance of the unit to ensure that it will have a longer life.
Still, there will come a time when your water heater will stop working, often due to wear and tear. While repairs can be done to the unit, you’re not going to be assured of its longevity or if its performance will be the same as it once was. Hence, a replacement can be a better option.
How much it costs to replace a water heater will depend on many factors, including the heater type, unit size, dimensions, recovery rate, and labor costs. These factors can lead to an expensive water heater replacement, but it is particularly necessary. Ideally, this should be done by a trusted plumbing company. If not, you could have a poorly-installed water heater, which can put your safety at risk.
A Better Plumber can help you install your replacement water heater the correct way.
Replacing an old and faulty water heater can be expensive. Apart from the unit price, there are accompanying costs that you have to deal with, like permits and water heater replacement labor costs. No worries, though, because A Better Plumber is here to offer you a good deal.
Just call our Aurora plumbing team so we can discuss an installation plan for your replacement heater that will easily fit into your budget. We’ll even share tips, so you know when to replace a water heater. Feel free to contact us as well if you have other plumbing-related concerns.
