On average, the cost of a water heater can cost you around $1200 and that price point has only continued to rise. If you’re currently experiencing issues with your water heater, you might be asking yourself, is it worth it to repair it or buy a brand new one?
Today we are going to explore that question with you and provide you with the best information to determine what you should do.
Hint: The answer is yes, you should call your local plumber and repair it instead of buying a brand new one.
Let’s go ahead and take a look!
Diagnosing Your Water Heater
The first step in the decision-making process is to diagnose the issue with your water heater. There are a few things that could be wrong, which we will outline below.
- The pilot light on your gas hot water heater goes out
- The circuit breaker on your electric hot water heater trips
- The burner elements dies
- The thermostat stops working
- The valve sticks break
- Repairing or Replacing Parts
All of these parts are fairly cheap which makes replacing them an easy decision. If one of these is part of your current problem, the best thing to do is look up the best plumber in town to see if they can repair them for you.
Look at Its Age
When trying to determine if it is worth repairing your water heater, you also have to take a look at its age.
If your water heater is 10 years or older, it might be time for a new one regardless of the problem. Hot water heaters usually last around 10 years and instant water heaters last 20+. But this varies depending on the brand and type of water heater you have
- Typically your traditional hot water heater will last around 8 to 12 years
- Your tankless hot water heater can last up to around 20+ years
There are some repairs that are minor and don’t justify buying an entirely new water heater. Replacing parts like thermocouples, pilot lights, and thermostats are all fairly cheap as we mentioned before.
So before you run down and buy a lowes hot water heater, get on Google and search for a “plumber near me” and speak with an expert.
Hidden Costs
Another thing to consider when determining whether to purchase a new hot water heater or not are hidden costs.
Replacing an entire water heater is a big decision, so there are always other costs to consider. If your water heater is in the attic, you will have to pay for someone to remove it and haul it away.
This can be quite expensive, so it’s important to take that into account when making your decision. Here are a few other things that can start to add up when installing a new water heater:
- Water heater mounts
- Venting system
- Drain pans
- Supply pipping
These are all hidden costs that you don’t see until you’re already in the middle of the installation. If you are trying to determine these in your cost comparison, you should call a local plumber and ask them about these types of costs.
Water Heater Bills
The average water heater bill is around $400 – $600 per year. Depending on the age and type of your water heater, you could be seeing a decrease in efficiency due to its age or damage. This means that it’s going to take more time and energy for your water heater to produce the same amount of hot water.
If you’re currently experiencing this, it’s time to start looking at replacements or repairs.
When trying to determine if a repair is worth it for your hot water heater, there are a few things you should take into account:
- The cost of the repair
- The age of your water heater
- How often the part needs to be replaced
- If the issue is with a major component or something minor
Typically when you compare all of the costs of a repair vs making the decision to buy a brand new one, having the repairs done makes the most sense.
However, if the cost to repair goes above the price of buying a new one, it might be smart to scrap your water heater and start fresh. The best thing you can do is call your local plumber and see what they recommend.
Finding a Plumber
When looking for a plumber, it’s important to not just go with any plumber, you want to find the right professional plumber. You can ask your neighbors or family members to see if they have a plumber they recommend. If your workplace uses a plumber for any services, you can ask them who they use as well.
You can also search for one on Google. This is a great way to find the right one since you are able to find all of the information you need at your fingertips, such as good reviews!
Try searching for things such as
- “24-hour plumbers near me”
- “Septic plumbing near me”
- “Water heater repair near me”
- “Drain cleaner near me”
This should bring up all of the closest and most review plumbers in your area. From here you can start sorting through them to find the best one.
Get Hot Water Heater Repair
Repairing a hot water heater is fairly easy, quick, and inexpensive. Fixing one over buying a new one is going to be your best route most of the time.
If you’re still unsure if you should replace or repair your hot water heater or you’re looking for the best Boise Idaho plumber, we’re here for you. We have experienced water heater repairs professionals that always go above and beyond to ensure 100% client satisfaction.
