What Does Immersion Heater Replacement Cost in 2022?

A home’s comfort is important, and a reliable water heater is a key to maintaining that comfort. If your old immersion heater has seen better days and needs replacement, you might be wondering how much it will cost. This article will give you a breakdown of the cost of replacing an immersion heater in 2022. In addition, you’ll learn the different factors that influence the cost of immersion heater replacement, as well as tips to get the best deal.

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of replacing an immersion heater in the United States is $1,217, with most homeowners spending between $810 and $1,656. However, the cost can range from as low as $500 to as high as $10,000, depending on a number of factors. Some of the factors that influence the cost of immersion heater replacement include the type of heater you have, the size of your home, and the complexity of the installation. Additionally, the price of replacement parts and labor can vary depending on your location.

It’s important to note that plumbers will either bill you by the hour or by the job. If they charge by the hour, their rates will typically range from $45 to $150 per hour. In addition, for the electrical work required to install the new heater, you can expect to pay an electrician between $50 to $100 per hour.

Now that you know the average cost of replacing an immersion heater let’s look in detail at the different factors that influence the cost.

Factors Affecting The Cost Of Replacing A Water Heater

As mentioned earlier, there are a number of factors that can affect the cost of replacing an immersion heater. Some of these factors include:

Tank Vs. Tankless Unit

An immersion water heater can either be a tankless unit or a tank unit.

A tank unit – A Tank heater has a holding tank that stores hot water. These tanks can range in size from 20 to 80 gallons. The advantage of this type of heater is that it can provide a continuous supply of hot water. In addition, it is less expensive to install than a tankless unit.

The downside is that the tank can take up a lot of space, and it is less energy-efficient than a tankless unit. On average, it will cost between $500 to $1,000 to replace a tank unit.

A tankless unit – A Tankless water heater does not have a holding tank. Instead, it heats water on demand. The advantage of this type of heater is that it is more energy-efficient than a tank unit. Additionally, it takes up less space since there is no tank. Also with a lifespan of 20 years, it will outlast a tank unit which typically lasts 8 to 12 years.

The downside is that it can be more expensive to install than a tank unit. The average cost of replacing a tankless unit is between $1,000 to $2,000.

Size Of The Immersion Heater

The size of the unit will also affect the cost of replacing an immersion heater. Let’s look at the average cost of replacing a few different sizes of immersion heaters.

30-gallon tank – $555 to $2,110

40-gallon tank – $560 to $2,360

50-gallon tank – $660 to $2,420

So depending on your family’s size and hot water needs, the size of the heater you need will affect the cost of replacement. The rule of thumb is a family of two to three people needs a 40-gallon tank, while a family of five or more will need an 80-gallon tank.

Gas Vs. Electric Immersion Heater

The common energy sources for an immersion heater are either gas or electricity. The cost of running an electric heater is higher than a gas heater, despite the initial investment for an electric heater being lower.

Although the monthly running costs for a gas heater are lower, the initial investment is higher. On average, it will cost between $600 to $3,500 to replace a gas heater. For an electric heater, the average cost is between $600 and $2,700.

Venting System

The venting system is important for the proper functioning of a water heater. An immersion water heater can come equipped with either a Direct vent or a power vent. A power vent immersion water heater is equipped with a blower that helps to push the exhaust gases out of the home. The average cost of replacing a power vent unit is between $900 and $3,000.

On the other hand, a direct vent water heater expels the exhaust gases through a pipe that goes directly outside. You should expect to pay between $1,050 to $5,000 for a new direct venting system.

The cost of replacing an immersion heater can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type and size of the unit, the energy source, and the venting system. In general, you can expect to pay between $810 and $1,656 for a new immersion heater. When considering the cost of replacement, be sure to factor in all the different variables to get an accurate estimate.