Here's How Much It Costs to Replace a Water Heater in Louisville

In any Louisville home, you’ll find a tank-style water heater or tankless water heater. While these systems offer many years of service, at a certain point they will need to be replaced because water heater repairs can no longer keep them up and running. When water heater repair ceases to be an option in your home, it’s time to explore your water heater replacement options.

If you need to replace a water heater, there are many types of water heaters you can pick from. Tankless heaters and tank-style heaters come with a variety of energy efficiency ratings and fuel source options. Pick a new hot water heater from natural gas water heaters or electric water heaters. Do away with the conventional water heater with a tank and install a new tankless unit or replace electric heaters with new gas models when you have an existing gas line connection in your home or wish to install gas lines.

The cost to replace water heater equipment will depend on which hot water heater you choose and any other work that is needed in your home to install a water heater correctly. Water heater prices are impacted by the style of water heater, as a tankless water heater costs more than tank water heaters do in most cases. The energy efficiency of a hot water heater, whether they are electric water heaters or gas water heaters, will also play a role in the final water heater installation cost, as a high-efficiency water heater is typically more expensive in average cost than units with standard efficiency ratings.

While each Louisville homeowner has a different water heater replacement cost, Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help all of our neighbors. Our team of licensed Kentucky plumbers can help you find the best water heater that meets your needs and determine your budget for water heater installation with a free estimate. We are happy to explain the different elements that impact the price to have water heaters installed and how to find the right price for your project.

When Is It Time to Replace Your Water Heater?

Water heaters don’t have a definitive expiration date which makes it difficult to know when they need to be replaced. Look for these signs that will help you know when it’s time to pursue water heater replacement in your Louisville home.

  • A tank water heater will typically last between 8 to 12 years; a tankless water heater will last about 20 years. If your home’s hot water heater is around or over this age, you need to look for a new water heater now.

  • Leaks from tank-style heaters are an important sign to watch for when it comes to water heater replacement. When the water heater tank itself is leaking and it’s not water coming from pressure release valves due to excess water pressure, water heater repairs won’t be able to take care of this issue. Water heater installation is the best way to stop leaks from the tank.

  • If your hot water heater isn’t able to meet your hot water demand or heat water to a comfortable temperature, replacement may be necessary. A bad heating element or other faulty parts may cause issues and can be corrected when you have a plumber complete water heater repairs. If water heater repair does not fix your issue, the system is probably wearing out or isn’t large enough for your home and replacement is necessary.

Whatever your reason for installing a new water heater, aim to get this job done before you start having major problems with your old hot water heater. Water heater failure can cause serious water damage, but you can avoid this by replacing your water heater early on.

Types of Water Heaters for Louisville Homes

If your Louisville home is due for water heater replacement, the first choices you must make are in respect to the type of water heaters you’d consider for installation. You have many equipment choices when it comes to a new hot water heater but you can narrow your search by deciding the style and the fuel type. Decide between a tankless water heater or a tank water heater, as well as between a gas water heater and an electric water heater.

Tank Heaters or Tankless Heaters?

Most Louisville homes have a tank-style installation as the tank water heater has long been considered the conventional choice. These water heaters heat water before it’s time to use it, storing warmed water in a storage tank. Sufficient space is needed to accommodate installation in the home. The average cost to install a tank water heater is less than the tankless water heater costs.

Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity due to their energy-efficient performance when compared to tank water heaters. They do not heat water ahead of time, but instead, heat as it is needed. They are also called on-demand water heaters. Since no tank is needed and these units can be installed on a wall, they are great for applications where there isn’t much space to spare. Water heater installation cost for tankless units is usually increased compared to tank units.

Electric Water Heaters or Gas Water Heaters?

Your next choice concerns how you will heat water at home. You need to think about what fuel sources are available to you already as this will affect your upfront costs as well as the price you pay for hot water throughout the years.

If there is no existing gas line, homeowners often stick with electric heaters when it’s time for water heater replacement. The cost to install gas lines can add thousands in labor costs and quickly drive up the budget for water heater replacement, making the project unaffordable. In a home where gas piping is already installed, homeowners can choose a hot water heater that operates using natural gas or electricity.

Fuel source choice impacts water heater replacement cost and ongoing energy costs. Installing a gas water heater with a gas pilot light usually costs a little bit more than electric heaters do, as their purchase price is slightly higher. As long as no gas piping needs to be installed in the home, labor costs will be about the same for either type of unit. Natural gas is usually more affordable than electricity in terms of utility prices, so heating water with natural gas will cost less in the long run and help you save money.

Additional Considerations

There are some additional factors that impact water heater replacement cost. The energy efficiency of a hot water heater as well as its capacity will also impact how much you pay for a new unit.

  • High-efficiency water heaters are typically pricier than lower-efficiency water heaters. While the average cost of a new high-efficiency water heater is greater than a standard efficiency unit, homeowners typically recoup the difference thanks to lower utility prices as these water heaters use less energy in the long run.

  • The capacity of a tank water heater is expressed by the number of gallons of hot water it can store. Tankless systems measure capacity by flow rate, which shares how many gallons of hot water can be produced in a minute’s time.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Water Heater?

Every home will have a different estimate for a water heater replacement cost. This is because each homeowner has different hot water needs and preferences as far as equipment goes. When you hire a plumber to perform water heater installation, the water heater installation cost you pay includes labor costs and the price of new equipment. If you need additional work like new gas line installation, these costs will also be included in your total.

The best way to figure out how much water heater replacement will cost you is to get an estimate from a licensed Kentucky plumber. When you work with a plumber, you will receive professional guidance regarding equipment choices so you can find an ideal hot water heater for your family. You will also benefit from quality installation to ensure the water heater works correctly and isn’t damaged by poor installation.

Water Heater Replacement in Louisville

If it’s time to install a new water heater in your Louisville area home, you probably want to know how much does it cost to complete this plumbing project? Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling will be happy to provide you with a free estimate for water heater replacement in your home. Work with our team of licensed plumbers to determine the best new water heater for your family, whether it is a tankless water heater or tank model, electric heaters, or natural gas.

We provide quality insulation for all new hot water heaters to ensure energy-efficient performance and longevity. Contact us today to request an estimate for water heater replacement in Louisville.

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