The good news is: With any luck, after this, you won’t have to replace your water heater again for at least a decade. We suppose that makes the bad news pretty obvious: We regret to inform you that you're not gonna be able to buy yourself any more time with ye olde water heater. It’s time for a total replacement. Of course, your first question is, “How much is this gonna cost me?” And, of course — we’ve got the answer. Show
This May Also Interest You: Hot Water Ran Out While You’re in the Shower? 5 Reasons You're Freezin’ Replacing your water heater is a little pricier than some other appliances because installation involves several different elements and variables, including:
According to HomeServe data, the national average cost to replace a water heater is more than $1,700. But don’t forget to factor in another hundred bucks or so for the diagnosis fee, which your chosen contractor will almost certainly charge to come to your house, determine what the issue is and recommend a course of action, regardless of what you wind up doing. The biggest among water heater replacement costs is the type of unit you’re installing. At the low end of national averages, you could pay as little as $928 for an electric water heater with a 30-gallon capacity, whereas at the high end, you could pay more than $4,700 for an external tankless water heater capable of heating 9.4 gallons per minute. Additional expenses such as a new drain pan, earthquake strapping or exhaust venting could tack on several hundred more dollars. Meanwhile, regional pricing and cost-of-living variations where you live could raise or lower your replacement price: A Kentucky household, for example, could pay 1,300 bucks, all told, while a homeowner in Idaho might fork over nearly two grand for the same-size unit. Below, you can find national and state-by-state average totals for water heater replacement and, beyond that, price ranges for the different types of water heaters you might be installing as well as a list of the most common additional expenses and their average costs — all to help you estimate how much your new water heater’s going to set you back. For a broader look at water heater pricing, check out our cost guide covering pricing averages for both repair and replacement state by state. And for a deeper dive into what factors into how much you’ll pay to get your water heater fixed without a full replacement, go to our state-by-state repair cost guide. All figures are based on aggregated HomeServe data reported by our network of thousands of contractors across the nation. Where insufficient data was available to determine a verifiable average, we’ve noted so. Also note that the following regional averages should generally be assumed to refer to conventional “tanked” models — the most common type — as opposed to tankless or “on-demand” models, which can cost roughly twice as much. National Average Job Cost for Water Heater Diagnoses and Replacement
State by State Average Job Cost for Water Heater Diagnoses and Replacement1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Connecticut
8. Delaware
9. District of Columbia
10. Florida
11. Georgia
12. Hawaii
13. Idaho
14. Illinois
15. Indiana
16. Iowa
17. Kansas
18. Kentucky
19. Louisiana
20. Maine
21. Maryland
22. Massachusetts
23. Michigan
24. Minnesota
25. Mississippi
26. Missouri
27. Montana
28. Nebraska
29. Nevada
30. New Hampshire
31. New Jersey
32. New Mexico
33. New York
34. North Carolina
35. North Dakota
36. Ohio
37. Oklahoma
38. Oregon
39. Pennsylvania
40. Rhode Island
41. South Carolina
42. South Dakota
43. Tennessee
44. Texas
45. Utah
46. Vermont
47. Virginia
48. Washington
49. West Virginia
50. Wisconsin
51. Wyoming
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Water Heater Price Ranges by Type
Additional Expenses Contributing to Water Heater Replacement Costs
What Goes Into the Price You Pay for Installation?As you can see, the biggest price for a water heater is simply the unit itself. However, when calculating overall costs, you also need to remember the price of installation. Installation costs for a water heater replacement will include the price for materials like pipe fittings, the price of permits and the price of labor. For materials such as pipe fittings, valves and connectors, you’ll usually need to pay an extra $8 to $10 per foot. Permit fees vary widely. Some regions don’t require a permit at all, while others may charge a fee of up to a few hundred dollars to get a permit for the installation. When calculating labor costs, some plumbers may charge per hour while others may provide a flat rate for water heater installations. Expect to pay about $45 to $150 per hour while a plumber installs your heater. When you call the professionals to install your tank, expect it to take about one to three hours to install. Which Water Heater Brands Cost the Most to Install?Different brands sell their heaters for different prices, but some may build stronger heaters than others. When it comes to picking brands, you'll probably want to find something that balances affordability, reliability and durability. Consumer Reports has given high rankings to A.O. Smith, Rheem, Whirlpool, GE and Kenmore.
Are Energy-Efficient Models Worth It?When trying to calculate water heater prices, many homeowners wonder whether they should bother thinking about energy efficiency. Most energy-efficient models will be a little pricier than standard models, but purport to offset that cost via reduced monthly utility bills. To determine if an energy-efficient model is worth it, you need to look at its annual operation expenses compared with the operating costs for cheaper, non-energy-efficient models. Multiply these annual savings by the projected lifespan of the water heater to estimate whether it’ll be cheaper to get an energy-efficient model in the long run. Generally, savings will depend on factors like your local energy rates and the level of energy efficiency. According to Energy Star, a high-efficiency tank water heater will save you somewhere between 10% and 20% on energy costs. A high-efficiency tankless water heater could provide even bigger savings of 45% to 60%. This can add up to as much as $1,800 in savings over the lifetime of the tank, making energy-efficient models cheaper overall. How Long Before You Need to Replace Your Water Heater Again?When calculating total water heater costs, it's helpful to take into account the average lifespan for the product. The typical hot water heater tank will last about eight to 12 years. Meanwhile, the average tankless water heater will last around 15 years to 18 years. Because tankless water heaters do not corrode as much, they last far longer. If you're able to pay the higher price up front, you may find that the annual price of the tank ends up being lower due to its longer life span. Should you put a drip pan under a water heater?Above the Ground or Inside an Attic – A drain pan is essential if the water heater is installed above your home's ground floor. In case there is a leak, and there is no drain pan in place, your house may suffer structural damage. Leaking water will drip through the ceilings and walls of the home and cause mold.
How big should a drip pan be for a water heater?The pan shall be not less than 1½ inches (38 mm) deep and shall be of sufficient size and shape to receive dripping or condensate from the tank or water heater. The pan shall be drained by an indirect waste pipe of not less than ¾ inch (19 mm) diameter.
Do water heater drain pans work?A drain pan provides an easy and inexpensive way to prevent water damage. Drain pans slide under the water heater or washing machine and catch water from leaks, spillage or drips. A drain pan can also help to protect flooring from condensation.
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