We break it down so you know what to expect.
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There are few things worse than coming home from a stressful day at work, or a cold winter walk, only to realize that there's no hot water for your long-awaited shower. Especially when you realize it's a problem with your water heater rather than your spouse simply using all the steam up before you got there. Water heaters are important, and because they last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, it's a real pain when it's time to get a new one. If you're budgeting for a new or replacement water heater, there are many factors that affect how much a water heater costs. Luckily, we have the knowledge, and are here to walk you through all the costs associated with buying a new water heater, from hauling your old one out to installing the new one.
According to Angi's data, the average cost for a water heater is $1,200, but the overall cost can range depending on whether you go with a tank or tankless system and need any additional plumbing upgrades. We break down the cost of additional factors below.
If you are replacing your water heater, expect to spend $600 to $2,500 on a tank-style water heater or $1,200 to $3,500 on a tankless water heater.
Tank, or storage tank, water heaters hold all of its operations in one place. Much larger than tankless heaters, cold water is heated by a gas flame or an electric heating coil, both located at the base of the tank. Storage tank water heaters are expected to last about 10 to 15 years.
Because there is no storage tank, tankless water heaters heat water on demand. Turning on the hot water faucet activates the tankless water heater, and, depending on your fuel source, gas or electricity heats the water to deliver a constant flow of hot water. Tankless water heaters are more of an investment but are expected to last 20 years or more, so you'll save money on energy cost in the long
Water heaters are either powered by gas or electric power. And while you can switch, this is largely determined by what kind of power your old system ran on. Gas water heaters cost between $600 and $2,700 to replace, for an average cost of about $1,650. Electric water heaters cost between $600 and $3,500 to replace, for an average cost of about $2,100. However, many states are phasing out gas water heaters in favor of electric water heaters, so be sure to research your area to see if there are any current restrictions prior to purchasing.
In addition to the cost of the water heater, make sure to account for these additional expenses.
Permits for a hot water heater replacement usually cost between $25 and $300, depending on the extent of the work and your local laws. Permits for connecting your home to natural gas before the water heater replacement cost an additional $50 to $300.
Expect labor to take up 50 percent of your budget. Plumbers are priced by the hour and can cost anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour. You'll also need to hire an electrician, regardless of power source, and these professionals will run you between $50 to $100 per hour.
How large your home is will determine how large of a water heater is needed to service it. Luckily, there's not a large price gap between the smaller and larger models. Most water heaters are either 40 gallons or 50 gallons, but can go as low as 10 gallons or as high as 120 gallons for commercial use. Price differences between capacity tiers range from $50 to $100.
If your water heater requires the plumber to carry the new unit up or down stairs, or if it's difficult to access, you'll pay more than if it's out in the open. If you're renovating or plan on relocating your water heater, this is also an additional cost, falling between $150 and $3,400 depending on the complexity and scale of the move.
If you opt for a gas-powered water heater, you'll need to install a venting system. There are two types of venting: direct or power. Direct-vent heaters are less expensive and use an exhaust pipe or chimney. Power-vent heaters are more expensive and use a fan or blower, plus electricity. In general, expect to spend an additional $300 to $600 on a power-vent unit.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
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