Get matched with top water heater pros in Ethan, SD

Water heater installation code requirements are in place to keep your family and home safe. Water heaters that are installed wrong can simply not work. However, that's an, if you're lucky, type of situation. More commonly, incorrectly installed water heaters pose a real threat from carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, water leaks, and even explosions. 

Your water heater's age can affect your homeowners' insurance policy. Many policies will ask how old the heater is when you first apply for a policy—and they may make you replace a model that's over 10 years old. 

Even if your policy permits you to have an older heater, it may significantly reduce the amount of protection available. If an older water heater suddenly leaks and causes damage to parts of your home, your policy may not cover it.

You don’t have to replace expansion tanks at the same time as your hot water heater. You may be able to go six to 12 years or more before needing to replace your expansion tank. At $150 to $450, hot water heater expansion tanks are usually much more affordable than the cost of hot water tanks themselves, which average about $1,190.

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.