What size water heater does my house need?

• <div><p>If you're replacing a broken water heater, now is a great time to make sure you're selecting a unit that has the right capacity for your household. According to the<a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/sizing-new-water-heater"> U.S. Department of Energy</a>, a small 50-gallon to 60-gallon tank is sufficient for households with one to three people. A medium-sized 80-gallon tank is considered ideal for three to four people. A larger tank may be needed if your household has four to six people.</p></div>

What happens if a water heater is not vented properly?

• <div><p>If your system is not vented properly, you could experience what’s called backdrafting. Backdrafting is when your ventilation system isn’t working as it should, and instead of releasing gases outside, they get trapped inside your home. </p><p>Gas and propane water heaters create a few types of combustion gases, but the most dangerous is carbon monoxide. If there’s too much build-up of these gases inside your home, it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.</p></div>

Get matched with top water heater pros in La Junta, NM

Q: Is it hard to install your own water heater?

• <div><p>It is very difficult and dangerous to install your own water heater, so we strongly recommend against tackling this as a DIY project. Not only will you need to wire your water heater, but you&rsquo;ll also need to connect plumbing to the intake and outlet. Sweating copper pipes and connecting wiring properly are skills most DIYers don&rsquo;t have, and even if you do feel confident you can do it, working with water and electricity always leaves the potential for electrocution. Hiring a local water heater installer is well worth the investment.</p></div>

Q: What maintenance is needed for a new water heater?

• <div><p>Flushing biannually, checking the anode rod, and temperature settings maximize equipment lifespan while reducing surprise costs.</p></div>

Q: Do water heater installers need to be licensed?

• <div><p>In most municipalities, a license is not mandatory for water heater installation or replacement. However, we strongly recommend hiring a licensed plumber or water heater installer to handle the work. Licensed installers are far less likely to make a mistake during the installation, which means paying for the experience decreases your risk of a leak and other issues. You can use our <a href="https://www.angi.com/angi-license-check.htm">state licensing tool</a> to find out if a contractor you&rsquo;re considering in your area holds a plumber&rsquo;s license.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Water Heater Service pros in La Junta, NM

*The Angi rating for Water Heater Service companies in La Junta, NM is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Water Heater Service companies in La Junta, NM is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

Last update on June 20, 2025

Reviewed in June 2025
My elderly father hired this business to dig a hole to access a break in his waterline. The hole/digging was left incomplete and in a dangerous state. They charged my father $600 to not only dig an incomplete hole but weed part of his yard (that he repeatedly told them NOT to do). They refused...
Cesar's Tree Service & Maintenance
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Reviewed in December 2020
Please modify my expense for a frozen water line. Not busted or cracked, just frozen.
Husky Refrigeration HVAC & Mechanical, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2020
When it came to make the decision to purchase my wood stove Regina at the Santa Fe Dreamstyle office worked with me to correctly size the heater, then shortly after Clint, Paul, and Jessie set up a date that would work for me they showed up on time on the date set and installed a very clean and...
Dreamstyle Remodeling
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Reviewed in July 2019
I had them to a refrigerated air, heating and water heater. Lower than Costco's recommendation of Signature who only wanted to do refrigerated air and heating. Professional employees from start to finish-kept me informed of what they were doing each step of the way.
AC&R, Inc. Heating Cooling and Plumbing, Inc.
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Reviewed in March 2018
Ray was there a little early and his pricing was great. Real clean, and organized. He replaced our water heater professionally and I highly recommend his service to everybody!
Moreland, Cooling, Heating, & Plumbing, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2015
Professional and experienced. Water heater install went smoothly. No issues and I would recommend highly.
Better Water Heaters, Inc.
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Reviewed in October 2014
A slight miss communication at first as how the pad for the spa should be constructed, but after that it has been a great experience. Both of us have arthritis and other issues with our old bones, and we have been in the spa just about every night with great results: <br /> no aching leg...
WOLFGANG'S SPA WORKS
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Reviewed in September 2014
I went into Ferguson to purchase materials to run a water line and plumb a new kitchen sink and water heater. Ferguson caterers primarily to plumbing professionals but anyone may purchase from them. I am pretty handy but don't have a lot of plumbing experience and it was pretty obvious that I...
Ferguson Enterprises
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Reviewed in July 2013
<p>The original contact with Guaranteed Roofing went well enough that we contracted with them to re-roof the entire center section of our house, which is built in three sections. At the time we had a major roof leak that was destroying a wall in our living room. For this they charged us a...
Guaranteed Roofing & Sheet Metal
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Reviewed in July 2013
Very good service. Oasis Water Well Drilling is a small family run business, in Espanola. We contacted them when our water stopped running last year as pipes etc. had become blocked. We were going to be away for a short while and Oasis agreed to come while we were away. <br /> The work took a...
Oasis Water Well Drilling
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Water Heaters questions, answered by experts

It is very difficult and dangerous to install your own water heater, so we strongly recommend against tackling this as a DIY project. Not only will you need to wire your water heater, but you’ll also need to connect plumbing to the intake and outlet. Sweating copper pipes and connecting wiring properly are skills most DIYers don’t have, and even if you do feel confident you can do it, working with water and electricity always leaves the potential for electrocution. Hiring a local water heater installer is well worth the investment.

Flushing biannually, checking the anode rod, and temperature settings maximize equipment lifespan while reducing surprise costs.

If you're replacing a broken water heater, now is a great time to make sure you're selecting a unit that has the right capacity for your household. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a small 50-gallon to 60-gallon tank is sufficient for households with one to three people. A medium-sized 80-gallon tank is considered ideal for three to four people. A larger tank may be needed if your household has four to six people.

If your system is not vented properly, you could experience what’s called backdrafting. Backdrafting is when your ventilation system isn’t working as it should, and instead of releasing gases outside, they get trapped inside your home.

Gas and propane water heaters create a few types of combustion gases, but the most dangerous is carbon monoxide. If there’s too much build-up of these gases inside your home, it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

In most municipalities, a license is not mandatory for water heater installation or replacement. However, we strongly recommend hiring a licensed plumber or water heater installer to handle the work. Licensed installers are far less likely to make a mistake during the installation, which means paying for the experience decreases your risk of a leak and other issues. You can use our state licensing tool to find out if a contractor you’re considering in your area holds a plumber’s license.

The La Junta, NM homeowners’ guide to water heater services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

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