A planned installation is the easiest way to get a water heater done. You choose the type, the timing, and the options, and nobody is mopping a floor at midnight. Call (855) 575-2890 to schedule, and we will talk through your home, your household size, and what you want the new heater to do.
If your current tank is already leaking or has stopped heating, our emergency water heater replacement service is the better route. Otherwise, this page walks through how a good installation is planned and what goes into it.
Step one: pick the type that fits your home
The best heater depends on your household, your fuel, and your space. Here are the main options and how they compare.
| Type | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gas storage tank | Homes with a gas line and a vent path | Recovers quickly, needs safe venting and gas connections |
| Electric storage tank | Homes without gas | Simple installation, uses a dedicated circuit, can be slower to recover |
| Tankless | Households that want continuous hot water and a smaller footprint | According to the US Department of Energy, about 20 years of life and 8% to 34% better efficiency than storage depending on use |
| Heat pump (hybrid) | Homes with space and airflow around the unit | The US Department of Energy gives about 10 to 15 years of life, and the unit needs room to breathe |
If you are not sure which fits, describe your household and your current heater, and we will help you narrow it down. Our tankless water heater page covers on-demand units in more detail.
Sizing the heater to the household
A heater that is too small leaves the last person in the shower cold, and one that is too large wastes energy keeping extra water hot. Size depends on how many people live in the house, how many bathrooms you have, and whether you run a dishwasher and laundry at the same time as showers.
Model codes such as the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) are published for towns and counties to adopt, often with local changes. Which rules apply at your address depends on what the local building department has adopted, so ask them before work starts.
For a storage tank, we look at tank capacity and how quickly the unit recovers. For tankless, we look at the flow rate you need and the temperature rise. The EPA WaterSense program notes that the average American uses about 82 gallons of water per day at home, though your household may be much higher or lower.
What goes into a proper installation
A heater swap is more than setting a tank in place. The details around the tank are what keep it safe and working.
- Shutoff valves. A working shutoff on the cold line lets you isolate the heater during a leak.
- Relief valve and discharge pipe. The temperature and pressure relief valve protects the tank and needs a safe discharge path.
- Venting for gas units. The vent must slope and connect correctly so exhaust leaves the house.
- Gas connection and sediment trap. A gas line should be properly sized, sealed, and tested for leaks.
- Drain pan and drain line. A pan under the tank catches small leaks, which matters in closets and upper floors.
- Expansion tank. In a closed system, thermal expansion can raise pressure, and an expansion tank absorbs it.
- Electrical connection. Electric units need the correct breaker and wire size for their rating.
Venting, rerouting, and moving the heater
Some homeowners want the heater moved or the vent rerouted, for example out of a chimney and through a side wall. That is possible in many homes, but it changes the gas line, the vent type, and sometimes the clearances around the unit. Venting changes are also a safety issue, so we plan them carefully.
For permits or inspections, check with the Helena building department about what applies to your address before the work is scheduled. We will tell you if the job looks like one that needs it.
Gas to electric, electric to gas, or staying put
Switching fuel is a bigger project than replacing like for like. Going from gas to electric or heat pump may need a new circuit and a condensate drain. Going from electric to gas may need a gas line, a vent, and clearances that the current location may not allow.
Some homeowners switch to take advantage of efficiency or because they are remodeling. Others stay with what they have to keep the job simple. Either choice is fine, and we will give you a clear price before work starts for the option you pick.
How a scheduled installation works
- You call and describe your home, current heater, and what you want to change.
- We recommend a type and size, and we explain the extra items the job needs.
- We give you a clear price before work starts, and you approve the plan.
- We schedule a time. Same-day appointments are available when the calendar allows.
- On install day, we drain the old unit, set the new one, and make all connections.
- We test for leaks, check venting and temperature, and show you how to operate it.
- We haul away the old heater, and you get a clean utility space.
What affects the price of installation
Every house is different, so the final cost depends on the work involved. These are the main factors.
What affects the cost of installing a water heater
- Type and capacityTankless and heat pump units cost more than standard storage tanks, and larger tanks cost more than smaller ones.
- Fuel changesAdding a gas line, a vent, or a new electrical circuit adds materials and labor.
- Location and accessAn attic, tight closet, or upstairs utility room is slower than a garage.
- Code-related itemsExpansion tanks, pans, and venting updates may be needed for a safe install.
- Removal and cleanupHauling the old unit and disconnecting old plumbing take time.
Water heaters are normally a home improvement cost and not an insurance matter, though a failed heater that damaged your home may be covered under some policies. Ask your insurer if you are unsure.
Want your real number? Call (855) 575-2890Why Helena homes are due for new heaters
Helena grew from 3,918 people in 1990 to 20,914 in 2020, with most of that building happening after 2000. Homes built in the 2000s and early 2010s are now at the age when storage tanks reach the end of their lives. The US Department of Energy puts storage tank water heaters at about 10 to 15 years, so planning a swap before the unit fails is a sensible move.
Over 91 percent of Helena homes are owner-occupied, and the median value of an owner-occupied home is $330,700. That means most heaters here belong to people who plan to stay a while, which makes the efficiency and lifespan of the next heater matter. A better unit can pay back in lower energy use.
If you are in a growing subdivision like Riverwoods or Old Cahaba, or in an older home in Old Town, the installation details will vary. We look at the existing venting, the pan, and the shutoff valves and fix what is out of date.
Questions to ask any plumber before you hire
You should expect clear answers about what is being installed and how. Check that the plumber is licensed. The Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board has a public licensee lookup at alpgfb.igovsolution.net where you can search any plumber's license. Ask what brand and model is being installed, whether the price includes the expansion tank and pan, and who handles disposal of the old unit.
Ask whether the price covers venting and gas connections, and what happens if the plumber finds a corroded valve or supply line once the old heater is out. We tell you before we do the extra work, not after.
Next steps and where we work
If you are not sure what you need, call and ask. We would rather help you pick the right unit than sell you the wrong one. For a heater that has already failed, see water heater repair first, since a minor repair might save a replacement.
We serve Helena and nearby communities, including Alabaster and Pelham. If your plans include other work at the same time, like repiping or plumbing installation, we can coordinate it in one visit.
Water heater installation questions
A like-for-like swap is often a few hours, though venting, gas lines, or access can add time. Fuel changes and tankless conversions take longer. We will give you an expected window when we quote the job.
In many homes, yes. Rerouting a vent or relocating a heater changes the gas line, the vent type, and the clearances, so we look at the space first. Check with the Helena building department about any permit or inspection needs.
It depends on your household and your budget. Tankless units last about 20 years according to the US Department of Energy and are 8% to 34% more efficient depending on use, but they cost more upfront and need proper gas and venting. A storage tank is simpler and lower in upfront cost.
Often, yes. It depends on room, airflow, and your electrical panel. We can look at your space and tell you what the change would involve.
Yes. We disconnect it, drain it, and haul it away as part of the job.
It is a small tank on the cold line that absorbs pressure caused by hot water expanding. Homes with a closed system, such as one with a backflow device or pressure regulator, often benefit. We check your system and recommend one if it is needed.