5 Questions to Ask About Water Heater Installation and Replacement

The last thing anyone wants is a blast of cold water in the middle of a nice, hot shower. If your water heater's been acting up, it's most likely time to replace it. To make sure the replacement lasts you a long while and provides you with plenty of hot water, be ready to answer the following water heater questions when you meet with a local water heater installation pro.

When do you need the water heater?

Depending on your situation, the answer to this question may be "five minutes ago" or "in a few weeks." You may see warning signs of water heater failure but still have hot water for now. Or, maybe you woke up today to an icy surprise from the faucet. 

How quickly you need a new water heater will influence the options available to you. For example, a special order heater is off the table if you need a new one ASAP. 

What kind of heat source do you want?

Typically, water heaters are gas or electric. Both provide a source of hot water, but each one has its pros and cons. If you already have one type of water heater installed, it's usually easiest to keep using that source of heat. But, there may be cases when it makes sense to switch. 

Gas heaters usually provide hot water more quickly than electric water heaters. They may be slightly more energy efficient and have a lower operating cost compared to electric heaters, but they also take up considerably more space in your home. Electric heaters can be a bit slower to warm up but are generally much smaller.

What type of water heater do you want installed? 

Along with gas or electric power options, be ready to talk to the plumber about the type of water heater you want. Your main options include tank or tankless. Tankless water heaters start to warm up the water when you turn on the hot tap, rather than storing a supply of hot water at the ready. They cost more upfront than a heater with a tank but may have lower energy costs down the line.

What maintenance will the water heater require?

Get ready to discuss water heater maintenance with the technician and find out what you’ll need to do to keep your heater in good shape. For example, flushing a water heater tank is a typical maintenance task that will extend its lifespan and help it work more efficiently.

Do you need help with other plumbing projects?

Water heater installation or replacement can be the perfect time to tackle other plumbing projects, such as installing a new kitchen faucet or replacing a bathroom sink, while the pro is in your home. Keep in mind that adding projects to your list will affect your budget and may make the process take longer.