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A hot water heater is an important home appliance that gives you the convenience of hot water on demand for bathing, cleaning, and cooking. So, when your heater stops working properly or has run its time, water heater replacement at the earliest becomes important. If you want to know the cost to replace a water heater in your area, we have your back. Whether you're replacing a heater or installing a new one, we'll tell you all about the pricing of your replacement water heater. And, we'll also briefly discuss the types of water heaters - including tank heaters, tankless heaters, hybrids, and solar heaters. We'll endeavor to make your hot water heater replacement seamless and quick.
The average cost of installing water heater is $1,225. This cost to replace hot water heater includes both the water heater unit and the labor cost. Most homeowners can expect to pay between $830 and $3,000 for a water heater replacement depending on the type of replacement water heater they choose. A new hot water heater installation or hot water heater replacement may start as low as $550 and go as high as $10,000. Generally speaking, most electric and gas water heater units cost anywhere between $400 and $1,600.
Your total water heater installation cost or water heater replacement cost takes into account various factors, such as the type of heater, whether the system type is a whole house or a single point water heating system, the water heater size in gallons, the cost of the permit, the homeowners location, and the installation labor charges by a local, licensed, and insured professional. The exact model, its energy-efficiency certification, the product warranty (usually eight to 12 years), and any special features will also add to the cost to replace hot water heater.
Water heaters are of two main styles: tank heaters and tankless heaters. You can choose either of them for your hot water heater replacement depending on your requirements.
A tank water heater has a large tank that holds hot water - anywhere from 30 to 80 gallons. You can find tank-style water heaters in more than 90% of American households. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, cost two to three times more.
The reason is that these heaters are harder to install and have higher labor costs during the hot water heater replacement project. The advantage is that they deliver an endless supply of hot water whenever you need it - thanks to their super-heated coils.
The average cost to replace a water heater for tank-style water heaters, including labor and materials, is between $700 and $2,000. A tankless replacement water heater ranges from $1,000 to $3,000.
Moreover, there is a difference in the lifespan of the two types of heaters. While tank water heaters last between eight and 15 years, a tankless water heater can last more than 20 years. Therefore, the higher hot water heater replacement cost is justified to some extent.
Another point of difference is that a tank replacement water heater can run on gas, propane, electricity, or solar power.
They're always on and use up a lot of energy while tankless heaters run only on demand. However, the latter is not ideal for those who live in colder climates or larger families. You'll need multiple units to provide an adequate hot water supply. This will increase the hot water heater replacement cost significantly.
Natural gas-fired water-heating devices are typically $100 to $200 more expensive than electric-powered units. Basically, you can choose to get the heating either through an electrical coil, similar to a cooktop coil, or a gas pilot light - depending on your requirements.
If you live in apartments or confined areas, it's better to opt for electrical heaters (either tank or tankless) since they don't require air venting.
However, keep in mind that a natural gas unit may cost you more upfront and they're less energy-efficient than electric heaters. However, you do have to factor in the high price of electricity. A gas replacement water heater may turn out cheaper in the long term.
And, if you're planning water heater conversion, say from a gas heater to an electric one, you'll have to pay about $200 to $500 or more for the replacement water heater.
Both water heater types fall on the expensive end of the spectrum. You can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for just the unit. If you live in a rural region or off-grid home, propane and oil-fired heaters offer a good alternative to electricity and natural gas heaters.
Power venting a water heater is $500 to $1,000 more expensive than running a passive or direct vent system. Moreover, you'll have to factor in the additional costs of wiring and electrical works. It will cost you another $300 to $500 for the same.
In a power vent system, you'll need a powered fan to push all the exhaust air out of your home. This is important especially if you have a natural or propane gas heater. The heaters release carbon monoxide as they burn which can be a potentially serious health hazard in the absence of proper ventilation.
A direct venting system uses a powered vent to bring in air from outside and exhaust directly to the outside of the building. It uses two pipes - one for combustion and makeup air and the other an exhaust pipe.
The capacity of a water heater tank (30 to 80 gallons) directly affects the hot water heater replacement cost. That is to say, the cost to replace hot water heater increases with an increase in size. For example, a 40-gallon water heater will cost around $320 to $1,600, a 75-gallon heater will cost about $900 to $3,000, and an 80-gallon tank will cost about $1,000 to $3,000.
You can choose your tank water heater size as per your requirements for the hot water heater replacement. Here's an easy way to go about it:
As mentioned before, the cost to replace a water heater will also vary with the size of water heater you want. The bigger the replacement water heater, the higher will be the cost to replace hot water heater.
The setup and the water heater's location in your house impact the cost of labor for the water heater replacement. You will have to be prepared to pay a higher cost to replace a water heater that's in a difficult-to-reach area, say in your basement or the attic. In such cases, the plumbing professional will have to use multiple stairs to carry the unit up or down. The more complicated the installation is, the more expensive will be the total installation cost or the hot water heater replacement cost.
An efficient indirect water heater costs about $800 to $1,500 on average. It consists of a tank that pulls heat from a boiler or furnace kept nearby. Such a system can be fired by gas, oil, propane, electric, or solar energy.
A water heater replacement or water heater installation generally requires additional materials such as venting pipes, connectors, pressure release valves, discharge pipes, water pipes, gas pipes, and other fittings. Of course, the exact requirement for the hot water heater replacement will depend on the type of water heater, its fuel source, and its location. This in turn will determine the total hot water heater replacement cost.
Did you know, water heaters are the second-highest source of energy consumption at home? Therefore, it makes total sense to buy a high-efficiency replacement water heater. Such a device will be 100% to 300% more efficient than conventional water heaters and will cost you $1,000 to $3,000 on average.
There's a growing trend toward solar water heaters to save on energy over time. These cost $1,700 to $5,200 on average - going as high as $13,000. You can supplement the system with a solar tank or have a tube-style heater. The cost to replace hot water heater will be significantly higher but such an installation will add to your home's energy efficiency.
What's more, a good water heater model with smart controls such as leak detection and protection alerts will be more expensive than standard heaters. However, such a hot water heater replacement will be advantageous for you in terms of safety and energy efficiency.
If you're opting for a hybrid heat pump water heater, you can expect an expenditure of $1,200 to $3,500, including both the unit cost and labor. These efficient tank heaters make use of a heat pump to pull heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the tank water via a compressor and heating coils. The bottom line is, the cost to replace a water heater will depend on the type of water heater replacement you're looking for.
The labor cost for a standard water heater replacement is $150 to $1800 if the new one is of the same style and size. Keep in mind that hiring a plumber costs about $45 to $200 per hour while hiring an electrician costs $50 to $100 per hour - all of which will add to your total cost to replace hot water heater. Although a DIY vs. hiring a plumber or electrician may cost you less, it's best to leave the complicated work to those who're experienced. You'll save yourself the stress of permits, inspections, and having to deal with pipes, gas lines, or electrical works.
You'll have to factor in additional costs for the hot water replacement such as:
Removing an existing water heater costs $100 to $500 - depending on the hourly rate of your water heater contractor, the heater's accessibility, and your location.
Once you decide to get a water heater installed in your home, you need to know how much of an investment you should have for this home improvement.
Naturally, when it's time to replace a heater, you have to know the cost to replace hot water heater in order to calculate what you can afford to spend.
It's also the best way to ensure that you don't stumble across any unwelcome surprises during the execution of your water heater replacement.
If you want to save money on the total cost to replace hot water heater, it's a good idea to look for multiple water heater installation companies near you. You must then compare rates, check out their online reviews, and get multiple quotes before hiring professionals. Keep in mind that a well-researched and planned home improvement project will bring down the cost to replace hot water heater significantly.
Getting an estimate through Kukun's water heater replacement cost estimator is easy. Our confidential address-based estimator helps you create a realistic budget for your water heater installation or water heater replacement. Moreover, the estimate will help you analyze your finance options or hire a professional to get started on the work right away.
Here are some useful questions that homeowners have regarding hot water heater replacement.
A 20-gallon electric tank or tankless water heater is sufficient for a small home.
This is a safety system that ensures that there's room inside a heater for expansion of water. The expanding water flows into the expansion tank - preventing the heater pipes from bursting due to pressure.
The annual running cost of your heater can be anywhere from $150 to $700, depending on the usage.
A homeowner can expect a water heater maintenance bill of about $225 to $1,000 - depending on the repair work, type of unit, and its fuel source.
A tank-style water heater lasts 5 to 10 years, while a tankless heater can last more than 20 years if maintained well.
Here are a few water heater problems or signs that your heater is on its way out:
A 50-gallon water heater can heat water to 120 degrees in 1 to 2 hours on electricity and 30 to 60 minutes on gas.
Electric water heaters typically run for around three hours a day to heat water. Fortunately, newer, more energy-efficient, models may run for only half the time but give you good outputs.
Having the right size matters. Keep in mind that a water heater that's too small will not be able to provide you with enough hot water and will end up being overworked. This will over time lead to frequent repairs or premature breakdown.
On the other hand, a water heater that's too big could lead to higher energy bills unnecessarily.
When buying a new residential water heater, choose a heating system that provides sufficient hot water as well as energy efficiency. You can learn more about the different types of water heaters on Energy Saver 101: Water Heating infographic.
You can save the most money in the long run by investing in renewables such as heat pumps, solar thermal systems, and solar panels.
If you need to move an existing water heater to a different location within the house, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,500.
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