According to Energy Star with the United States Department of Energy, about 8 million old water heaters are replaced every year in the United States, and 2 million more are installed in new homes.

Fortunately, with the constant progress of technology, new water heaters aren’t just as good as the old ones were when they were brand new. New water heaters are more powerful, more efficient, and more durable than older models.

Installing a hot water heater, if done smoothly, can be a stress-free experience that leaves you and everyone in your home with an increased standard of living. Read on to learn about the 7 questions you’ll need to ask to make sure your installation goes smoothly.

1. What Kind of Water Heater Should You Get?

There are at least two main categories of hot water heaters, the tankless and the tank heaters. Within each category, of course, there are many varieties that will be better or worse for a home depending on its exact situation. When it comes to the two main types, though, there are a few ways you can tell which type is right for you.

A tankless water heater is less costly to run. That means that, over time, it will save you money, eventually paying for itself in lowered energy costs. Not only that, but tankless water heaters actually last longer, too, making them an even better long-term investment.

Also, since they don’t have a tank, tankless water heaters naturally take up less space in your home.

Of course, all of these benefits come at a cost. Tank water heaters are cheaper when you first install them. Additionally, while a tankless heater can easily provide all the hot water you need for a shower for as long as you want, if you need to run multiple hot water fixtures at the same time, a tank water heater will be better able to keep up with the demand.

2. How Can Your Water Heater Be Energy-Efficient?

Modern versions of all kinds of water heaters are more energy-efficient than older kinds. However, when it comes to energy efficiency, a tankless heater is the way to be the most efficient possible. Energy efficiency doesn’t just pay off when it comes to your bank account. It’s also a great way to help out the environment.

3. What Will You Do With the Old Water Heater?

When you’re buying a new water heater, it can be easy to forget about planning for the old water heater. If you hire a skilled professional to manage your new installation, they’ll generally also cover the disposal of the old water heater.

Depending on which plumbing company you’re working with, they may or may not charge an extra fee for disposal. Even if a company tends to charge that extra fee, though, you are offering them a large purchase, so you may be able to negotiate a free disposal of the old heater.

4. How Much Will Installing a New Water Heater Cost?

Tankless water heaters are easier to install, generally speaking. However, if your old water heater is a tank water heater, then it becomes more difficult to rearrange your pipes to work with a new hot water system installation.

Installation costs vary from place to place and company to company, so make sure to ask your plumbing company about it if you contract with one. As for the tank itself, a tank water heater can cost around $1,000, while a tankless will be closer to $3,000.

5. Who Will Install Your New Water Heater?

Unless you’re a real construction and plumbing guru, you should definitely rely on a trained professional with a license to handle your new hot water heater installation. This goes double if you’re buying a tankless heater to replace a tank water heater.

6. How Large of a Heater Should You Buy?

What kind of heater and what size you’ll need depends completely on your water usage.

If you live alone, or if your home has only one shower, or if you’re confident that your household’s schedule means that only one hot water fixture will be used at a time, then a tankless heater is an excellent choice. It provides plenty of water for any one fixture at a time. On top of that, your hot water will always be ready instantly.

On the other hand, if you have a large family, or a schedule where many fixtures are used at the same time, you’ll need a tank system. The more hot water you’ll be using all at once, the larger the tank you’ll need.

7. How Long Will It Take Them to Install Your New Water Heater?

Being without hot water is a terrible inconvenience. You’ll want your changing hot water heater system to be completed as soon as possible.

If you decide to do your installation yourself, it can take many hours or multiple days to get the job done, depending on how much you already know about how water heater setup.

The larger the tank you’re installing, the longer it may take you. At the same time, if you’re installing a tankless system to replace an old tank hot water system, it will also take far longer.

Professionals do these kinds of installations over and over again, turning the installation into a precise science and cutting installation time down to a minimum. For a professional plumber, a tank hot water heater installation will take about three hours, no matter the size of your tank.

If you’re replacing a tank system with a tankless system, then installation may take a little longer than that. Regardless, if you want your hot water back on as soon as possible, a professional is certainly the way to go.

Installing a Hot Water Heater Doesn’t Have to be Stressful

We hope you learned something helpful about installing a hot water heater in the best way possible. To learn more about keeping your plumbing in top condition or to find quality professionals near you, get in touch with us here.