Plumbing Replacement Planning: Water Heaters
“The one thing I’ve learned in this business is that whenever plumbing related equipment fails, it’s usually inconvenient and very disruptive to a family’s life. I hope this brief water heater review helps homeowners plan more effectively.” Dennis Hilsenhoff, Service Manager at Monona Plumbing and Fire Protection
“As homes get older, there are certain things that just wear out from use,” says Dennis Hilsenhoff, Service Manager at Monona Plumbing and Fire Protection in Madison.“Just like roofs age on the outside of a house, on the inside water heaters, garbage disposals,water softeners and sump pumps age and need replacement.” “Keeping this is mind,my hope is that homeowner’s budget what they need to replace the equipment they know will fail sooner or later. Or, if convenient, replace equipment before it fails, allowing the homeowner to control the timing of the work to be done.”
Planning Ahead
Water heaters are an expensive item, and, because of the various types, homeowners will be best served if they do some research before an inconvenient breakdown. Let’s face it, a home without hot water is ‘no fun’ and who wants to make this type of decision under the gun? With fifteen or more years of service, it might not be a bad idea to have qualified plumber asses the condition of your water heater to be proactive and avoid inconvenient breakdowns. In fact, if you do not have a water softener, you are already living on borrowed time since hard water can cut the life of a water heater in half.Additionally, depending on what type of unit you are installing, there may be utility, state or federal incentives in terms of rebates or tax credits. Be sure to ask your accountant about options available to you and check the www.focusonenergy.org website.
Water Heater Facts
When considering water heater replacement, there are traditionally three options (excluding solar). The three types are:
Standard Venting
♦ Least Expensive
♦ Has a separate chimney for venting
♦ 59% Efficient
♦ Required maintenance: Minor, if ever
♦ Installed:
♦ 40 gallons—$890
♦ 50 gallons—$950
♦ 75 gallons—$1,285
♦ Note: Standard Venting Atmospheric water heater can be replaced by any style water heater.
Power Vent
♦ Medium Cost
♦ No chimney—vents with PVC pipe from side of house
♦ 60–64% Efficient
♦ Requiredmaintenance: Minimal
♦ Installed:
♦ 40 gallons—$1,300
♦ 50 gallons—$1,367
♦ 75 gallons—$1,809
♦ Note: Because the Standard Venting Atmospheric water heater requires a separate chimney exhaust, if you replace this type of water heater, it must be with another power vent model or a tankless water heater.
♦ May qualify for Focus On Energy rebates if replacing a Standard Venting Atmospheric water heater.
Tankless
♦ Life Span of 20+ years
♦ 82% Efficient
♦ Required maintenance: Minimal
♦ Unlimited Hot Water — $2,600 Installed
♦ Note: When installing Tankless Water Heaters, each installation is unique because of venting requirements.
♦ Qualifies for Federal Tax Rebate
♦ The additional investment can be recovered in 8–10 years, giving 10+ years of savings.
