Water Heater Replacement in Durham, NC

Choices to settle before the install

Size. Think about how many people shower in the same hour and whether the washer or dishwasher runs then too. A smaller tank saves little if it leaves the last person with cold water.

Fuel. Keeping the same fuel is the simplest swap. Natural gas in Durham comes from Enbridge Gas North Carolina, formerly PSNC, though availability varies by street. Switching between gas and electric means adding gas piping and a vent, or new wiring.

Type. A tankless or heat pump unit changes the scope of the job, so decide before work starts. The U.S. Department of Energy says heat pump water heaters can be two to three times as efficient as conventional electric resistance models.

When a heater has reached the end

• Water seeping from the tank or from under its outer jacket
• Rust-colored hot water or corroded fittings that keep coming back
• An age in or beyond the 10 to 15 years the Department of Energy gives storage heaters
• Repeated repairs within a short span

If the tank is dry and only an element or thermostat has failed, repair is usually still the better value.

Durham's housing and heater age

Half of Durham's homes were built in 1995 or later, per Census survey data. With a 10 to 15 year life span, many houses from that wave of growth are already on a second or third heater, and any original unit still running is living on borrowed time. Planning a replacement is much easier than dealing with a tank that gives out in an attic or upstairs closet.

Permits

Durham City-County Building & Safety issues plumbing permits for both the City and the County, and its page says permits are required for replacements. The page doesn't address water heaters by name, so confirm with the plumber, or call Building & Safety at 919-560-4144, and settle who files the permit and schedules the inspection.

Cost factors

Capacity and type, gas or electric, how hard the old unit is to reach, changes to venting or gas lines, a new drain pan or relief valve line, permit fees and disposal. Ask for a written quote that breaks these out.