| |
|
 |  | Conventional Tank: $400-$3,000+, Installed |  | Tankless: $1,800-$4,500+, Installed |
|
There are two kinds of electric water heaters: those with a traditional storage tank and tankless models, which heat water as needed. Electric water heaters typically cost less initially than gas models, but are generally more expensive to operate
Typical costs: |
- Conventional-storage (tank style) electric water heaters typically sell for $250-$2,000 or more from home improvement stores, plumbing supply houses or online retailers.
- CostHelper readers report paying $588-$1,389, with an average cost of $777, for complete installation of a 40- or 50-gallon conventional storage electric water heater.
- With all needed parts and labor, having one installed can cost $400-$3,000 or more, depending on capacity (10-80 gallons, with 40 or 50 gallons the most common sizes); quality and length of warranty (typically 5-12 years); local labor rates; and the repairs needed to meet current building codes.
- A central tankless water heater providing hot water for an entire house can cost $800-$3,000 or more (without installation), depending on gallons per minute capacity and the unit's energy-efficiency rating.
- For example, the Rheem Tankless Electric RTE 27[1] , with a maximum 5.0 gpm and a 10-year warranty, costs about $625-$750. Installation of a tankless electric water heater typically requires a 220v/240V electrical outlet, and can cost $1,000-$3,000, bringing total costs to $1,800-$4,500 or more.
What should be included: |
- For a conventional storage-tank model, a one- to two-person household needs a 30-40 gallon water heater while a household of five or more needs 50-80 gallons. However, a tank that puts out more than the household uses hourly wastes money and energy heating extra water.
- Tankless systems avoid that cost and take up less space, but more than one unit might be needed to shower and run a dishwasher at the same time. The U.S. Department of Energy explains how conventional storage[2] and tankless [3] water heaters work.
- Check with the local planning department; a permit and inspection may be required. Replacement water heaters typically are required to meet current building codes, which may mean upgrading the existing water and gas lines, installing new valves and other parts, and the addition of an expansion tank[4] to minimize pressure build-up.
Additional costs: |
- Operating costs can be significantly higher with an electric water heater compared with a gas model. According to the California Consumer Energy Center, it typically costs three times as much to heat the same amount of water with electricity as it does with gas. Exact operating costs of electric compared to gas will vary significantly depending on local utility rates.
- Less expensive water heaters may cost the most to operate. The U.S. Department of Energy explains how to estimate and compare water heating costs[5] .
Discounts: |
- Do-it-yourself installation is possible, but can be challenging, and requires both plumbing and electrical skills and tools. Home Depot provides written instructions[6] and Lowe's posts a how-to video[7] for electric water heater installation.
Shopping for electric water heater: |
- EnergySavers.gov lists tips for selecting a new water heater[8] .
- CIDNetwork.com lists tips for choosing a plumber[9] .
- Get several estimates. Request and check references, and be sure the company is properly bonded, insured and licensed.
- A written contract should include a detailed outline of the work required and materials to be used, and dates within which the project will be done.
|
| |
|
|
|
CostHelper News
| 
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
| | 
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Marie Lockett in San Francisco, CA. | Posted: May 16th, 2019 09:05PM |
The water heater was great and we loved the polite and quality services provided by the bathroom remodel Concord CA experts https://homequalityremodeling.com/bathroom-remodel-concord/. Thank you for the help and so much information. |
|
|
| Posted by: RAJ DAYAL in Durham, NC. | Posted: March 22nd, 2017 03:03PM |
| Type: Electric Water Heater | Brand: Whirlpool |
| Capacity: 38-Gallon | Installer: Affordable HVAC handyman |
Replaced Electric Water in this old house. Remove the old unit, add the new one and use Shark Bytes connectors for hot and cold water. Add expansion tank as the previous one did not had one. Connect all the electrical wires. Test the system to make sure it works. The Unit Cost is about $359 in Lowes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
External Resources: |
- www.rheem.com/product/tankless-electric-water-heaters-tankless-electric-rte-27
- energy.gov/energysaver/articles/storage-water-heaters
- energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters
- www.nachi.org/water-heater-expansion-tanks.htm
- energy.gov/public-services/homes/water-heating
- www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/ContentView?pn=how_to_install_electric_wa...
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl7ea59dFdQ
- energy.gov/energysaver/articles/selecting-new-water-heater
- www.cidnetwork.net/finding-plumber.htm
More Home and Garden Topics
|
Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com
|
Post
