A functional water heater is something that is easy to take for granted. Most of the time, you simply turn on the faucet, wait a moment, and hot water starts streaming into the sink. Modern water heaters are impressively reliable, and you might live in your home for many years without encountering a problem.
Of course, you probably didn’t land on this page because your hot water heater is working as it should. Instead, you ended up here because there is some sort of problem with the system, and you are trying to figure out what to do next. This post will dive into the details of what it looks like to replace a water heater and whether you should venture into doing it on your own.
If you are ready to get professional help with this frustrating problem, the team at Izzy Plumbing is ready to serve you. Take a moment to contact us today and let’s discuss your needs.
The Appeal of the DIY Approach
Before we get into the specifics of what it looks like to replace a water heater and who should do the work, it’s important to back up for a second and understand the appeal of doing it yourself. There are all kinds of DIY projects out there for home and business owners to tackle, and in many ways, DIY work has never been more popular. With the abundant information that is freely available on the web, it can feel like every project is doable.
Of course, one of the primary motivations for doing a hot water heater replacement on your own is going to be financial. It’s tempting to believe that you will save a significant amount of money on the cost of a hot water replacement by doing your own work, although we’ll discuss later how that might not actually be the case. Additionally, some people just take pride in doing things on their own, and they derive satisfaction from knowing they figured it out and got the job done. We can’t argue with that line of thinking, and it’s certainly a great feeling to accomplish a challenging task, but there are some other points to consider before diving in.
Stop and Think
The last thing you want to do is rush into this project without stopping to think about the details. Are you sure that you are up to the task of changing out a hot water heater without professional help? Some DIY tasks – like changing the air filter in an HVAC system – are quite simple and can be completed by almost anyone. Other jobs, like replacing a complex water heater, can easily land the homeowner in trouble if every last detail isn’t handled just right.
So, at the very least, you’ll want to slow down and consider the pros and cons on both sides of this debate before you move forward. This is a significant project, with some meaningful costs attached, so you want to do what you can to get it right. Gathering as much information as possible – by reading articles like this one – will help you make sure that the choice you make in the end is a good one.
What’s Required to Replace a Water Heater?
Let’s get down to the heart of the matter – what needs to be done to replace a water heater? The points below are not meant to be a comprehensive guide to replacing a water heater in any way, but rather they should be seen as a big-picture overview of the process and some of the major steps that it contains. In reality, completing the job is going to be more complex than what it looks like below, but this list is a starting point.
· Shutting things down – Before any work can be done, utilities will need to be turned off and all of the water from the old water heater will need to be drained. This is a critical step both for safety purposes and to make sure a mess isn’t made while the old unit is removed.
· Taking away the old water heater – Once it is safe to do so, the old water heater will need to be detached from its position and taken away carefully. Of course, the old unit will also need to be disposed of in a responsible, appropriate manner, and a suitable vehicle will be required to transport it safely.
· New unit installation – This is a single point on our list, but there are actually many different jobs that are included in this step. First, the right water heater will need to be picked as a replacement, as it’s necessary to have one that is big enough to serve the building but will also fit in the space that is available. Once the right unit is chosen and received, it needs to be connected and insulated correctly, which is a task that typically requires experience and training in this field.
· Testing performance – It will be necessary to thoroughly test the new unit after it has been installed and the utilities have been turned back on. This includes making sure there are no leaks and that the water is heating up as it should. Even a small leak could do major damage to the building over time, so it’s critical to make that everything is watertight right from the start.
If an inexperienced homeowner takes on a water heater replacement as a DIY project, there is no telling how long it could take to move through the steps above. And, even when the job is done, it might not be done correctly and could be putting people and property at risk.
On the other hand, a professional installation can typically be completed within just a few hours, or even less, depending on the situation. With a pro on the job, the homeowner or business owner can look forward to having a functioning water heater that will last for years to come before the day is over.
The Many Risks
After reading through the steps above, you are probably getting the idea that this isn’t a simple task. Not only are there complexities involved that will make it difficult for the average homeowner to do the job alone, but there are also some notable risks that you would be taking on if you try to do this project without experience and training.
For starters, you’ll be dealing with potentially dangerous components like electricity and gas lines, meaning there will be a very real possibility of serious injury, or worse. Even if the worst of the dangers are avoided, the potential for water damage still exists, and that’s something that can be very costly to repair once it occurs.
Speaking of costs, you will have spent a significant amount of money to purchase a new water heater, but the warranty coverage that protects your investment may be voided if you do the installation on your own. The warranty that you received likely has language regarding the installation process and doing it on your own might not meet the requirements that have been laid out by the manufacturer.
Making the Right Choice
This discussion has only been pointing in one direction, and the answer to the question posed in the title of this article should now be clear – no, you should not replace a water heater on your own. All of the issues that we have outlined so far are resolved when you hire a professional who is experienced in this field to do the job for you.
Yes, you will have to pay for the installation work to be completed, so the overall hot water replacement cost – at first – will be higher. With that said, you shouldn’t only be thinking about the upfront cost, but rather the overall cost of having a new water heater installed in the long run. If things go wrong with your DIY installation, which is likely based on a lack of experience and knowledge in this area, you’ll need to spend more money later to have those issues fixed. And, it’s almost certain that what you spend later is going to be more than what you would have paid initially if you just turned the job over to a professional from the start.
So, this is one of those cases where you should opt to spend a little more in the short term to save money in the long run. Also, as we mentioned previously, you’ll protect the warranty coverage on your new water heater when you go with professional installation, meaning you will be covered if something goes wrong later and you can avoid the expense that would have come along with that repair (or another replacement). When you add the financial benefits of using a professional to the realities of the safety risks included in doing the job on your own, this choice becomes an easy one.
Water Heater Install Cost FAQ
- How much does Lowe’s charge to install a hot water heater? Lowe’s installation costs for a hot water heater typically range from $250 to $425 for the basic installation only. This fee doesn’t include the cost of the water heater itself. If additional services are needed, the total cost can reach between $500 to $650 (How Much Is It?).
- What is the average labor cost to install a 50 gallon gas water heater? The average labor cost for installing a 50 gallon gas water heater can vary significantly depending on the region and the complexity of the job. You may expect to pay between $300 to $1,500, but for a more accurate estimate, it’s advisable to get a quote from local contractors (How Much Is It?) (Plumbing.Academy).
- Who is best to install a water heater? It’s recommended to hire a professional plumber or a reputable installation service from a well-known home improvement store like Lowe’s or Home Depot. These providers ensure that the installation adheres to local building codes and safety standards, and they often offer warranties on their work (Plumbing.Academy).
- How much does it cost to install a water heater from Home Depot? The installation cost at Home Depot for a water heater typically starts at around $1,200, which includes the basic tank water heater and labor. This figure can rise based on specific requirements, additional services, and local labor rates (Plumbing.Academy).
- How much is the labor cost to install a 50 gallon electric water heater? The labor cost to install a 50 gallon electric water heater is roughly similar to that of a gas water heater, ranging from $300 to $1,500 depending on the complexity and location of the installation (How Much Is It?) (Plumbing.Academy).
- Why is installing a water heater so expensive? The cost of installing a water heater includes several factors such as the price of the unit, labor costs, necessary modifications to home plumbing or electrical systems, permits, and inspection fees. High-quality water heaters are also more costly due to their efficiency and longevity (Plumbing.Academy).
- How much does it cost to put in a 40 gallon water heater? The cost to install a 40 gallon water heater will vary depending on the type of heater (gas or electric) and the installation requirements. Generally, you might expect to pay between $750 to $2,000, which includes the unit and labor (How Much Is It?) (Plumbing.Academy).
Turn to a Trusted Partner
While there are many types of projects that are suitable for a homeowner or business owner to handle on their own, the work required to change a water heater is not one of them. There is simply too much that can go wrong with this project for it to be considered a DIY job and doing it on your own could create significant safety concerns.
Fortunately, this is an easy problem to solve, as Izzy Plumbing is just a phone call away. Contact our team right away for more information or to schedule an appointment. Let’s get the hot water flowing again as soon as possible!
