Cost to install new water heater? archived
Dec 15, 2008 at 7:27am
We just had our water heater replaced (from a 40gal to a 50gal) by PSEG and it was close to $1100. This price included the unit itself, the removal of the old one, the labor, the permit fees (SO), and the miscellaneous parts needed: updated exhaust piping, etc. If you are a pseg customer, you can have the total cost added to your monthly bill and spread out over six or twelve months (your choice) with no interest. PSEG uses AO Smith as their product of choice, which is not high-end or low-end, kinda in the middle, but definitely reliable.
We did the same thing as Apollo about a year and a half ago. Got the 50 gallon AO smith through PSEG. Did the monthly (no interest) billing to pay for it.
shanabana - depending on the make chosen and/or installation hurdles for your given home..... it's not UNreasonable.
OK PSEG sounds like a good way to go. Apollo and TL, did/do you have the "worry free" program? I was kicking myself yesterday for not having it.
Phil Masucci recently put in a heater for us, and we paid exactly $1800, so in order for me not to feel like I spent too much, I will advise you that $1800 is entirely reasonable. :wink:
Seriously, it could be reasonable for you. Ours was what might have been slightly complicated, because they had to run new pipes. Our old heater was electric, and the new one is gas, so they had to locate the new one in a different place than the old one.
Gateway quoted us $2400 for the job, though they may have given us a better one or something. They're expensive, but it's a very good outfit.
Seriously, it could be reasonable for you. Ours was what might have been slightly complicated, because they had to run new pipes. Our old heater was electric, and the new one is gas, so they had to locate the new one in a different place than the old one.
Gateway quoted us $2400 for the job, though they may have given us a better one or something. They're expensive, but it's a very good outfit.
Tom's job was more complicated because Phil had to run gas and water pipes. Don't be put off Phil because of the cost, which seems pretty reasonable for converting to gas and relocating the piping and water heater to a new location.
1200 or so for us. Had to run some new exhaust pipes but that's it. We used our plumber after his quote was the same as PSE&G.
Just FYI, the utilities are killing us small contractors this year on installations and they are really no less expensive.
Most folks don't realize that the "no interest" financing is subsidised with higher fuel prices and the State's plumbing associations have been in court with them for years for unfair competition. Most of us take credit cards BTW.
In these tough times we should give the small business person at least chance to compete first.
I am trying to do most of my holiday shopping in the town centers this year for this reason. Sorry for the rant.
Most folks don't realize that the "no interest" financing is subsidised with higher fuel prices and the State's plumbing associations have been in court with them for years for unfair competition. Most of us take credit cards BTW.
In these tough times we should give the small business person at least chance to compete first.
I am trying to do most of my holiday shopping in the town centers this year for this reason. Sorry for the rant.
I was going to say the same. Besides, you know whom you're getting when you hire a local plumber. These are honest folks, members of our community, and they do a damned good job. You won't be ripped off.
Plungy is right they make money from you from the gas so they can low ball jobs that we do for more to survive running a business in the great state of NJ. We all work for them instead of giving the car dealers money they can give us all a break on income tax so the money can start at the beginning of the chain and work it's way up. That would help us all. Sorry just venting ARHHH!!!!!
I agree with going with a local plumber, unfortunately PSEG offered us twelve months to pay off the new unit w/o interest, which was not offered when we got an estimate from a local plumber. 
As everyone is aware money is tight and stretching payables is highly desirable.
As everyone is aware money is tight and stretching payables is highly desirable. I know there are lots of good plumbers to choose from. Sounds like your job Tom was complicated, with the switch, etc. I'll do what I can to choose a local outfit. Thanks.
Another advantage with using a local contractor is that you can be pretty assured that you will not get ripped off!!!
Consider this:
You use Public Service and you get a bad job or an over priced job, you come to MOL and complain what response do you get from Public Service? NONE
You use one of the local guys who support MOL and you can bet you will get a fair price and a good job. Working SOM and being a supporter on MOL we can not risk a bad or over priced job, else it will be all over MOL and will kill our business.
Think about that.
Later,
George
Consider this:
You use Public Service and you get a bad job or an over priced job, you come to MOL and complain what response do you get from Public Service? NONE
You use one of the local guys who support MOL and you can bet you will get a fair price and a good job. Working SOM and being a supporter on MOL we can not risk a bad or over priced job, else it will be all over MOL and will kill our business.
Think about that.
Later,
George
We need to replace our water heater too. It's only 40 gallon (maybe even 35?) and my shower only stays hot for a few minutes, and forget about the occasional bath. What is the biggest water heater a homeowner should put in? And does a larger unit make sense, economically, or is it wasteful to heat all those extra gallons of water?
We have not yet contacted any plumbers for this but I will discuss our options with Mr. Shh.
We have not yet contacted any plumbers for this but I will discuss our options with Mr. Shh.
In my Opinion, too large is almost as bad as too small. A little art is involved but try to size the unit to match the need of the family, and account for the problem we have of Ice cold water mixing into the hot water making it cooler.
That is the size you need. Clearly 35 is way too small. If your family is only two, 50 is way too big.
If you run wash, cook, run the dish washer then want a bath after the children then you need to cosider that load.
Remember, IMHO, too large is ALMOST as bad. Go a little larger to cover the peek needs.
Oh, as to waste heat, the new units are insulated well and any waste heat is shed into your basement so the heat is not wasted.
Later,
George
That is the size you need. Clearly 35 is way too small. If your family is only two, 50 is way too big.
If you run wash, cook, run the dish washer then want a bath after the children then you need to cosider that load.
Remember, IMHO, too large is ALMOST as bad. Go a little larger to cover the peek needs.
Oh, as to waste heat, the new units are insulated well and any waste heat is shed into your basement so the heat is not wasted.
Later,
George
We are a family of 5...lots of dishwashes, laundry and showers to contend with!
George:
do they make a 35 gal hwhtr? if 35 is too small and 50 is way too big how will 40 make a difference?? seems like 50 would be the way to go. we have 75. it may be too big now but with 3 teenagers ( now one is almost 21!) laundry etc it seemed like the way to go at the time (ten years ago) .
anyway, what do I know about hot water heaters?? Just a lot of "hot" air I guess.
oots
btw whats up with a ups kiosk??? to late now??
do they make a 35 gal hwhtr? if 35 is too small and 50 is way too big how will 40 make a difference?? seems like 50 would be the way to go. we have 75. it may be too big now but with 3 teenagers ( now one is almost 21!) laundry etc it seemed like the way to go at the time (ten years ago) .
anyway, what do I know about hot water heaters?? Just a lot of "hot" air I guess.
oots
btw whats up with a ups kiosk??? to late now??
With 5 I would at least go with a 50gal high recovery unit a 75gal may be good but you need a lot of room for them. You also can go with a inderect water heater if you have a boiler for the house heat. It can be piped off of the boiler with a pump and seprate zone. They can be installes on steam or hot water boilers there are very pricey.
Phil, we have an oil burner downstairs and have a gas furnace on the third floor. Water heater (existing) runs on gas. Zones sounds like more money, but more efficient? Plenty of room in the basement, some on the third floor. (not sure if it would need to be near the furnace)
Family of 5, I back Phil on this one!
Otts, I purchased a 15 gallon unit this summer, so you can still get the small ones, just not at HD.
Later,
George
Otts, I purchased a 15 gallon unit this summer, so you can still get the small ones, just not at HD.
Later,
George
Otts is the guy who lives in the altered dimension universe of Maplewood.
Later,
Geroge
Later,
Geroge
Posted By: shhWe are a family of 5...lots of dishwashes, laundry and showers to contend with!
Without a doubt, go with a 50. We are 5 and had a 40. Upgraded to a 50 and it's been gold.
You can not reply as this discussion is Closed!
Rentals
For Sale
Garage Sales
-
YARD SALE - Saturday July 18 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sale Date: Jul 18, 2026
More info
Free Items
Advertisement
I got the quote from a company that did a repair/cleaning to the boiler, which seemed quite expensive (500 smackers). I think it was just gunked-up and that's why it it had stopped. I only called them because they take credit cards (hint to other plumbers!!) I'm wondering if that price to replace our old h2o heater is high or normal.