How Much Do Hot Water Heaters Cost?
The cost of a hot water heater depends on what type of heater you buy. They vary in size as well as in power source, with most hot water heaters running on either electricity or natural gas. In addition to the heaters with which most North Americans are familiar, consisting of a tank full of hot water, there are also tankless or "on demand" water heaters that don't store any hot water, but heat it instantaneously as needed.
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Natural Gas Hot Water Tanks
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Prices for natural-gas powered hot water heaters vary widely, and can cost anywhere from $200 up to about $800, plus plumber's fees if you have it professionally installed. The price difference is primarily due to differences in size. For an apartment or small house with two people, a 40 gallon tank is generally sufficient. For a family of five or more an 80 gallon tank will almost certainly be required to avoid running out of hot water.
Electric Hot Water Tanks
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Electric hot water tank heaters are somewhat less expensive than gas heaters, with prices ranging from $100 for the smallest models up to $500 or so for the largest. Their capacities are the same as those of gas heaters listed above.
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Tankless Heaters
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Tankless water heaters have long been common in Europe, and are just beginning to catch on in North America. These units work by instantaneously heating water as it passes through the pipe on the way to the sink, shower or dishwasher, thus saving energy by removing the need to store a tank full of hot water and keep it hot. Tankless heaters also use substantially less room than a tank heater, which is a benefit for very small houses and apartments.
Plumbers' Fees
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If you hire a plumber to do your installation, this will add substantially to your costs. Many plumbers charge upwards of $80 per hour. If you are skilled in plumbing and/or home repair, you can save a lot of money by undertaking the job yourself. On the other hand, if you have more money than manual dexterity, the services of a plumber could be a worthwhile investment.
Peripherals
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Whether you do the work yourself or hire a plumber, there will be some peripheral costs, although these are not major in comparison to either the cost of the heater or the plumber's time. Installation of a water heater will require various plumbing fixtures, some solder and soldering flux and a blowtorch. When the job is finished, you can make your new tank more efficient by insulating the pipes coming out of it in order to keep the water hot on its way to its destination.
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References
- Photo Credit hot tap image by pncphotos from Fotolia.com
