It’s hard to imagine a cold winter in New Jersey without a reliable water heater. Many homeowners put up with failing water heaters far longer than they should. It’s time to replace your unit if that applies to you. So, how much does water heater installation cost in New Jersey?

Water heater installation typically costs between $1,000 and $3,600 in New Jersey. Factors such as the type of water heater and the capacity of the tank affect the cost of installation. The presence of working connections can shave hundreds of dollars off of installation costs. Replace your water heater if it is 12-15 years old and failing.

You can tell it’s time to replace your water heater if it’s heavily corroded and fails to heat water. Follow along as we explore how much it costs to install a water heater in New Jersey.

8 Signs You Should Replace Your Water Heater

Before you invest in a new water heater, it’s worth figuring out whether you need to replace yours. Luckily, a few key signs indicate it’s time to replace your water heater, such as:

1. Frequent Maintenance

Maintenance is a normal part of having a water heater, but frequent repairs are unnecessary. A water heater that requires frequent repairs is likely past its prime and must be replaced. Annual maintenance checks are necessary, but that doesn’t typically entail expensive repairs.

For example, it’s recommended that you get your water heater flushed each year. This helps get rid of excessive sediment that would otherwise damage your water heater. However, you shouldn’t need to spend hundreds of dollars each year on water heater maintenance. It’s time to replace your water heater if key components, like the thermocouple, continually fail.

2. Your Water Heater is Old

Water heaters typically begin to experience many problems once they reach 12 years old. This is when you must typically replace key parts, and maintenance becomes more common. You may notice inconsistent water temperatures, leaks, and pressure spikes.

This is less of a problem with tankless water heaters, which last up to 20 years. Keep track of both when your water heater was installed and how often it gets repaired. This will help you stay on top of maintenance and install a water heater before your current unit fails.

3. Cold Temperatures

A failing water heater struggles to maintain warm temperatures. In a young water heater, this is fixable if you repair or replace the thermostat and heating element. However, these repairs won’t stick if your water heater is over 8-12 years old and in bad shape.

In that case, it’s better to set the money for repairs aside to put toward your new water heater installation. Otherwise, you may only enjoy the benefits of the repairs for a year, if not for a few months.

4. Soaring Bills

Have your water, gas, and electricity bills gone up recently for seemingly no reason? If so, then it’s a sign that you must replace your water heater. That’s especially true if you haven’t changed any of your habits when it comes to using your water heater.

Failing water heaters must work quite hard to heat water to the necessary temperature. This not only increases your bills but also further strains your water heater. You can immediately enjoy energy savings when you install a new energy-efficient water heater.

5. Short Cycling

Short cycling is a common problem with many parts of an HVAC system, such as the AC, furnace, and water heater. This refers to your water heater constantly cycling on and off in short bursts. Not only does this lead to inconsistent performance and high bills, but it also strains the water heater.

In some cases, this happens because of problems with the gas supply or thermostat. However, it’s a sign that the water heater itself must be replaced if fixing these problems solves nothing.

6. Neverending Pilot Light Issues

Pilot light issues don’t necessarily mean you must replace your water heater. For example, replacing the thermocouple and cleaning the tube often fixes this problem. However, those types of repairs don’t always stick when a water heater is old, worn, and outdated.

Even relighting a pilot light won’t last long if your water heater is beyond repair. Neverending pilot light issues become especially common as a water heater approaches and surpasses 10 years old. Even still, it’s worth enlisting HVAC technicians to inspect your water heater to see if it’s worth repairing the pilot light.

7. Widespread Corrosion

Water heater corrosion is often unavoidable in old units, but it shouldn’t be excessive. However, multiple part failures and slacking on maintenance can cause widespread corrosion. For example, a failing anode rod can cause a water heater to quickly become corroded.

While you can replace an anode rod, the new part won’t likely last long if other parts are failing. Corrosion is the biggest enemy of any water heater as it can cause leaks and pressure problems. Between the temperature fluctuations and moisture, corrosion will eventually take hold in an old water heater.

8. Water Buildup

You should be concerned if you discover a puddle of water around the base of your water heater. Leaks go hand in hand with corrosion, but excessive sediment and pressure relief valve failure can also cause this. Age is another factor as even a well-maintained unit can leak water after 8-12 years.

However, high pressure is the biggest point of concern when you discover a leaky water heater. Your water heater can force water out of the unit as pressure builds up. Eventually, this can cause your water heater to burst.

In that case, you must replace your water heater, but it’s best to do so before it bursts. Otherwise, you must pay to replace your water heater and repair severe water damage. Homeowner insurance doesn’t always cover the cost of water damage if your burst water heater was preventable. Water heater leaks often require emergency repairs, so it’s important to schedule a maintenance visit.

Water Heater Installation Cost By Type

The type of water heater you buy affects the cost of installation. Gas-powered tank water heaters are traditional, and they typically cost $600-$2,500 to install. However, the tank’s capacity affects how much you will pay within that price range.

Electric water heaters are often pricier and cost up to $3,500 to install. That said, they have become increasingly popular among homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Venting also affects the cost as power vents can add an extra $300 to installation in some cases.

Water Heater Type Installation Cost
Tankless $1,000-$3,600
Tank $600-$2,500
Power Vent $800-$1,500
Direct Vent $500-$1,000
Electric $600-$3,500
Gas $500-$2,700

Call Rich’s Heating and Cooling LLC for Dependable Water Heater Installation

A water heater is a great investment as much as it is a necessary part of any home. That’s why we encourage our customers to take great care of their water heaters and keep up with preventative maintenance. Call Rich’s Heating and Cooling LLC at (732) 433-0068 to schedule a reliable water heater installation in New Jersey.