How Long Does it Take to Install a Water Heater?

If you’ve experienced issues with your hot water heater, you likely want to have the problem resolved as expediently as possible. Depending on the age of the water heater, the best way to ensure consistent hot water may be to simply have a new hot water heater installed. 

But how long will your water heater installation appointment take? Is it reasonable to think you can have a new unit replaced in a day’s time? In this post, we’ll provide some general insight about the water heater installation process. To summarize, a tank to tank installation can last up to three hours to four hours. Tank to tankless may last a bit longer. And going from a tankless to another tankless water heater will usually take no more than three to four hours. 

As a general caveat, however, keep in mind that the process can vary a little from home to home, and from hot water heater to hot water heater. As such, these guidelines are only meant to provide you with a ballpark, not a hard-and-fast ruling. For a specific estimate regarding water heater installation in Indianapolis, water heater installation in Greenwood, water heater installation in Carmel, or water heater installation in Fishers, IN, reach out to Carter’s My Plumber today.

What to Expect from the Water Heater Installation Appointment

Here’s a walk-through of the process for water heater installation. 

1) Consultation

First, you’ll need to talk with a licensed plumber about the nature of your water heater problems, and to determine which type of water heater is right for your home. The consultation is also a great time to ask about things like tankless water heater installation cost. This can be done over the phone but often takes place in person, and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes or so.

2) Preparation

Before the installation itself, there are a few simple things you can do to prepare. These steps will help your licensed plumber to work more quickly, and to get your heater connected to the water supply as expediently as can be:

• Remove any clutter or debris from the installation area, ensuring accessibility 
• Make sure your pets are secured somewhere out of the way
• Provide a clear path for your licensed plumber to move the water tank and tools to the installation site
• Measure your doors to be sure the water heater will fit through

3) Installation

So, how long will it actually take for your licensed plumber to get the unit up and running? It depends on which type of water heater you choose: Tankless water heaters, conventional water heaters, etc. It’s also important to note that the location of the water heater can be a factor. For example, if the technician must go up and down a lot of stairs, or venture into a less-accessible part of the home, installation times will be longer.

• Tank to tank installation. If you have a gas-powered or electric water heater with a tank, and if you’re replacing it with another unit that has a tank, then the installation process will typically take two to three hours. This encompasses 45 minutes to an hour for disconnecting the old unit, half an hour to move the new unit into position, and an hour or so to ensure the new unit is properly connected.
• Tank to tankless installation. If you’re switching from a traditional water heater to a tankless water heater, the installation time may take a bit longer. Your licensed plumber will likely need to create new air vents, install new power lines, etc.
• Tankless to tankless installation. Swapping out one tankless unit for another tankless unit should take an hour or two at the most.

4) Wrapping Up

Once your new unit has been installed, your licensed plumber will clean up the area, ensure that the old unit has been hauled off for disposal or recycling, show you how to use the new water heater, and answer any questions you may have.

With any additional questions about having an energy efficient water heater installed in the Indianapolis area, we welcome you to contact our skilled installers at Carter’s My Plumber.

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Heater Installation