In a perfect world, every appliance in your Bloomington, IL home will last forever. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, and there will come a time when each appliance in your home needs to be replaced, including your water heater.
Traditional tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years and will often start experiencing issues when nearing the end of their lifespan, including:
- You have no hot water.
- The water isn’t getting hot enough.
- Brown or rust-colored water
- Poor hot water pressure
- A leak in the water tank.
- Strange sounds coming from the unit
When your existing unit starts showing any of the signs listed below, or if it was installed 12 years ago, it’s time to plan for a new water heater installation. Before you schedule an appointment to have a new water heater installed, there are a few things you need to consider first.
#1 The Type of Water Heater
Before a water heater installation, the first thing you need to consider is the type of water heater you want in your home. There are two main categories of water heaters, traditional tank models and tankless water heaters. It’s best to research both types because each has its own benefits.
- Traditional tank units: Traditional tank units store water, so it’s hot when you need it, and it’s possible to run out of hot water. In addition, tank units are large and consume more energy. Tank water heaters are less expensive than their tankless counterparts, and the installation and labor also cost less.
- Tankless water heaters: Tankless units don’t store water and provide hot water on demand, so you won’t have to worry about running out of hot water. In addition, tankless units don’t run frequently, saving money on your energy bill. They are also smaller than tank units and can be hung on the wall, saving space in your home. Tankless water heaters are more expensive than traditional tank units, and the cost of labor and installation is also more expensive.
You can’t move forward with the water heater installation until you have decided if you want a tank or tankless unit. If you don’t have much money in your budget, a tank model is the best option. If you have the money for a tankless water heater installation, it will cost less to run, and the available tax credit will refund up to 23 percent of the final cost.
#2 Energy Efficiency
You should consider the energy efficiency of units when planning a new water heater installation. With the cost of everything going up these days, it’s nice that you can save money on your energy bills.
Modern tank water heaters are more energy-efficient than older models, and it’s best to choose an Energy Star water heater.
If you want to install a unit in your Bloomington, IL home that is the most energy-efficient, high-efficiency water heaters are an excellent option. These are the most energy-efficient units because they harness the sun’s energy, reducing the operating cost by up to 90 percent.
Tankless water heaters are also energy-efficient and Energy Star rated. The unit turns on only when the hot water tap is turned on, unlike standard tank water heaters that run many times during the day, saving money on your energy bills.
#3 Disposing of the Old Water Heater
When planning a new water heater installation, you have to decide what to do with the old one. Many plumbers remove and dispose of the old water heater for free. Some charge an additional fee to remove the old water heater, and it’s best to find out the plumber’s policy before scheduling an appointment for a new water heater installation.
#4 Installation Cost
Before installing a new water heater, you should know how much the money will charge for installation and labor. The cost to install a traditional tank water heater in your home depends on the company installing the unit. Some plumbers charge a flat installation fee, while others charge by the hour.
Tankless water heaters are easy to install if the existing water heater is tankless. The installation will be more challenging and expensive if you’re replacing a traditional tank model with a tankless one. Switching water heater types will require the plumber to rearrange the pipes to work with the water heater, increasing the installation cost.
#5 The Time It Takes To Install the Unit
Before a water heater installation, you should ask how long the project will take. When the old water heater is removed, you won’t have hot water in your home until the new unit is installed, and you’ll need to plan your day around the installation.
It takes around three hours to install a tank water heater or replace your existing tankless water heater. However, if you’re installing your first tankless unit, it will take longer to install because the pipes have to be rearranged to accommodate the unit.
#6 Who Should Install the Unit?
DIY isn’t recommended. Trying to install the unit yourself can take hours or days. If you run into an issue and don’t know what to do, it can take longer to install the unit, and that’s if you can figure out what went wrong. In addition, if you have no experience in water heaters, you can damage the brand new unit and void the warranty.
It’s best to hire a plumbing service with experience in water heater installation, such as Covenant Plumbing.
Call Covenant Plumbing Today
When it’s time to replace a new water heater in your Bloomington, IL home, call Covenant Plumbing. We are a family-owned and operated full-service plumbing company specializing in water heaters.
Our plumbers are professionally trained and highly skilled and provide a comprehensive list of plumbing services. We also offer emergency service if you have an issue that can’t wait until we have an available appointment.
We have an excellent reputation in the community, and are an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau, and have an A+ rating. We also have a 5-star rating on Google, and in 2021, we won the Reader’s Choice Best Of Award and came in first place.
If you’re ready to install a new water heater or need to schedule an appointment for any other plumbing service, give Covenant Plumbing a call today.
