article

Replacing Your Water Heater

By Bluehammer Admin

Hot water is a luxury we all take for granted until it goes cold. The following are some helpful tips when it comes time to replace your Water Heater.

Signs That You Need a New Water Heater

There are 2 major signs that you need to replace your water heater. One is that you have little to no hot water and the second is that there is a large puddle of water under your water heater. If that's the case read on!

Cost Factors in Replacing Your Water Heater

No doubt the biggest factor in the project cost of replacing your water heater is the cost of the appliance itself. However, unlike some other appliance replacements, labor is also a factor. Water heaters come in all types and sizes. Below are the main cost factors in the project of replacing your water heater.

  • Removal of the old water heater
  • Delivery and installation of the new water heater
  • Re-routing of plumbing (if applicable) and the accompanying material costs
  • Hauling away and disposing of the old water heater

Types of Water Heaters

Since most water heaters last between 9-12 years, choosing the right water heater is important from both a hot water and cost efficiency angle. Below are some of the most common types.

  • Storage Tank Water HeaterThis the most popular water heater in use today. Water is stored and heated in the insulated tank by either an electric coil or gas.
  • Tankless Water HeaterTankless water heaters heat the water as it passes through the coils heating it on demand. They come in both electric and gas varieties although the electric model might require you to upgrade your electrical panel due to the draw.
  • Heat Pump Water HeaterHeat pumps use heat from the air to warm the water. These types of water heaters work better in warm environments and need extra space to function properly.
  • Solar Water HeaterSolar water heaters are roof mounted and use solar energy to heat water in the tank.

Removing a Tank Water Heater

Since water heaters use higher voltage electricity or gas, it is recommended that you consult a professional plumber for removal or installation. Below steps to removing your existing tank water heater.

  • Turn off your power, gas and waterDepending on whether you have an electric or gas water heater you will need to turn off the gas. You will also need to turn off your main water valve.
  • Drain the old water heaterFirst open all the hot water faucets in the house. Then connect a garden hose to your water heater and open and drain the tank completely.
  • Disconnect the plumbingThis will require either cutting of pipes or if it has connections simply unscrewing them.
  • Disconnect the electricalIf your water is electric you will need to unscrew the electrical panel on the unit and disconnect the wiring.
  • Remove the water heaterSome appliances are heavy so make sure you have help lifting and moving the water heater.

Installing a Tank Water Heater

Once again, since water heaters use higher voltage electricity or gas, it is recommended that you consult a professional plumber for removal or installation. Below steps for installing your existing tank water heater.

  • Place your new water heaterPlace the water heater where it goes. If you live in a state that requires the water heater to be strapped, make sure to strap it in.
  • Connect the plumbingIf you bought the same size water heater and it had connectors already then simply re-connect the plumbing. If you cut your pipes you will need to re-plumb the assembly.
  • Connect the electricalIf your water heater is electric, connect the wiring making sure you connect the proper wires and that it is properly grounded.
  • Fill the water heaterTurn your water back on and fill the water heater making sure your faucets are still open allowing any trapped air to escape. If your water heater is electric, make sure not to turn on the electricity until the tank is full. Once water has been flowing out of the faucets you can turn them off. At this time you can turn on the electricity if your appliance is electric.

Tank water heaters can get sediment build up that can reduce life span and performance. It is recommended to drain your water heater twice a year to remove the sediment increasing the life and performance of your water heater.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


How To Safely Remove Window Glass

Why would you need to remove glass from your window? In most cases, it's because the glass is cracked or broken, or it is an insulated pane that's no longer sealed properly. Or maybe it's time to upgrade your windows with tinted or smart glass. Professional glass shops can help you choose and size the right glass for the job, but first you'll have to remove the window glass and bring in the sash. If there is a break on a stationary window or the sash and it isn't budging, you may need to hire a professional glass installation expert.

Building an Emergency Fund to Cover Unexpected Home Repairs

With homeownership comes new responsibilities, including repair and maintenance expenses. Sooner or later, you'll encounter a leaky faucet or a blown circuit breaker and quickly learn that keeping your household up and running is no longer as simple as a call to the landlord.

Clever Ways To Create More Storage In Your Kitchen

Who doesn't need more storage in the kitchen? You may not have a massive space with dozens of cabinets and yards of countertops, but that doesn't mean you don't have the space you need to store all your stuff. Use a few of these clever tricks and you might be surprised how much extra room you can create.

Replacing Your Kitchen Dishwasher

Mix water, moving parts and wear and tear and you get a dishwasher replacement project

10 Ways To Transform Your Trashy Old Furniture Into Standout Pieces

We know. That antique sideboard or set of chairs you got after your grandma died is sentimental, but also completely clashy with every other piece of furniture you own, not to mention out of touch with your general sense of style.

8 Clever Ways To Zone Off Space In An Open Floor Plan

We've fallen for open-plan living in recent years. After all, not many of us have a formal room just for company anymore. And with modern building materials, we don't necessarily need every room to have four walls to keep it at a comfortable temperature. But although an open plan may bring the space, light, flow and garden views we desire, it can also feel problematic to organize into zones - and prove distracting to share. Enter the glass partition. It makes room division simple yet doesn't starve spaces of light or compromise the open feel. Decorative, at half or full height, framed or barely visible, a glass partition can work in every environment. Check out these designs.

7 Rules for Choosing The Right Area Rug

You just moved into your new home. You've purchased the perfect furniture and accessories. You even found the perfect area rug to add to your hardwood floors, but you're totally stumped on which size to buy.

Installing an Interior Light Fixture

Interior lighting not only helps you see better, but also adds to the decor of your home. Upgrading an interior light is a great way to spruce up an area and save on energy costs.

7 Reasons Quartz Counters Are The Answer For Your Kitchen

Has the tide finally turned on granite? In the last few years, granite has continued to be a popular choice for kitchen counters, but has lost ground to quartz, which is now the go-to for homebuyers and renovators, not to mention design shows and flippers. If you're getting ready to redo your kitchen or are building a new home, here are all the reasons to swaddle your counters in quartz.

How To Choose The Right Vanity To Kick Off Your Bathroom Remodel

You can change your bathroom lighting, your floors, and your fixtures. But if your vanity is rickety, chipped, timeworn, or just plain ugly, your bathroom might feel that way too.

See More Articles