How Much Does Water Heater Installation Cost

Showering with cold water especially during the winter or even any other time is perhaps one of the most avoided things in everyday life. This is where water heater issues come into play—understandably, you may be asking how much to install tankless water heater. Well, to answer you, tankless water heater installation costs may run from $1,800 to $5,000. Without installation, tankless water heater prices start from $800 to $3,000.

What is a (Tankless) Water Heater?

There are actually two types of water heaters: tank and tankless. The tankless type of water heater is what will be discussed on here.

Also referred to as, instant-on or on-demand water heaters, a tankless water is a water heating device which instantaneously heats water as it flows into the machine. For these heating units, copper heat exchangers are often used because of their high thermal conduction features.

Larger centralized models of this water heater may be used in order to provide the entire household with the right amount of hot water it requires.

Advantages and disadvantages of a tankless water heater

Since you are interested about tankless water heater prices and as to how much it costs to install tankless water heaters, it is also best for you to be oriented about the pros and cons of this heating device. This is so that you will be able to make a more informed decision with regards to water heater options.

The good qualities of a tankless water heater are as follows:

1. With a tankless water heater, there is a continuous flow of hot water contrary to the limited flow of hot water provided by the usual tank water heaters. This means, you will never run out of hot water supply.
2. There is a great potential in energy savings in some conditions. It only has a 5% energy loss as opposed to the 30% energy loss of typical tank systems.
3. Tankless water heaters are considered much more efficient in using energy since it only heats water when it is required to.
4. With this water heating system, homeowners may be able to save around 25% on annual costs of water heating.
5. Tankless water heaters can be installed anywhere in the household, may it be outside or inside and even for individual appliances.
6. The size of the device is much smaller than the typical water heater.
7. The biggest advantage of it all is its lifespan which is about 20 years—this means there is lesser cost of maintenance as well as replacement costs.

On the other hand, the disadvantages are as follows.

1. Tankless water heaters will give you a much higher initial costs. The device, itself, is much more expensive as well as the installation costs. It costs almost twice as much as the typical water heaters.
2. Tankless water heaters are not advisable for families composed of many members or people who are into using hot water for multiple purposes simultaneously—doing the dishes while washing the clothes.
3. As for the installation, it takes a great amount of time—about 10 hours.
4. This water heating system cannot handle great demands which leads to installation of multiple units that, in turn, makes energy-savings useless.

Where should I install tankless water heaters?

A big factor to consider when deciding as to where you should place your tankless water heater is the chances of leakage. This means that this water heater should be placed in strategic places wherein risks of major damages are low in case it leaks. Places such as the garage or an unused storage room shall be good candidates. The place should also be accessible to homeowners and repair technicians. The sides of a water heater is also required to have at least 12-18 inches clearance space.

What are the additional costs and considerations?

• In some places in the United States, permits are necessary for the installation of new water heaters or if you are trying out a different type of water heating system. You can inquire about this with your contractor or you can secure the permit by yourself, if needed.
• An additional cost to water heater installation is the disposal of existing water heater devices—this can potentially add $500 more to the original total cost.
• Pipes may also have to be changed if they are not compatible with the new water heater system.
• Typically, water heaters have a 8-12 years warranty length.
• Some homeowners have reported saving money by securing the water heater by themselves before the installation as they only pay for the installation services.

Can I install the water heater by myself?

Yes, you can install the water by yourself. However, you should know that it may be very challenging. Luckily, This Old House explains how to do it by yourself—there are also other websites on the internet that will guide you how. It might take more than 4 hours especially if you are trying to install tankless water heaters. With this, you will be able to save a lot on installation costs.

We hope we were able answer how much to install tankless water heaters. As you know, tankless water heater installation costs are actually quite high and needs to be taken seriously. Fortunately, tankless water heater prices are worth it as they will provide you with much comfort when it comes to not just showering but also other daily activities.