No hot water, lukewarm water, rust in the tank, pilot that won't stay lit? We diagnose it honestly - sometimes it's a $180 thermocouple, sometimes it's a 12-year-old tank that's done. Either way, you hear the price before we touch anything.
After 22 years in Cedar Crossing, we've worked on just about every water heater made in the last three decades. Tank, tankless, gas, electric, hybrid heat pump, point-of-use, recirculating. Residential and small commercial.
The standard 40 or 50 gallon tank is still the most common water heater in Cedar Crossing homes. We install Bradford White as our go-to brand - they're built in Michigan, the warranty actually pays out, and parts are easy to source. A standard 50-gallon gas tank install, including hauling off the old unit and pulling the permit, usually runs $1,400-$2,100 depending on what the current setup looks like.
If you're tired of running out of hot water halfway through a shower, tankless is the answer. We install Rinnai and Navien - both Japanese-engineered, both carry real warranties. The upfront cost is higher ($3,500-$5,000 installed) but you get endless hot water and the units last 20+ years. Good match for families who use a lot of hot water or homes with space constraints.
These are the efficient option. A hybrid heat pump water heater pulls heat out of the surrounding air to heat your water, using about 60% less energy than a standard electric tank. They qualify for federal tax credits and sometimes utility rebates. Installation runs $2,800-$4,200 and they need a bit of space around them to breathe, so they're best in garages or utility rooms.
If you already have gas, stick with gas - it's cheaper to operate and recovers faster. If you're all-electric, the hybrid heat pump is almost always the right call over a standard electric tank. If you're building or remodeling, we can talk through the options and what makes sense for your specific situation. No pressure, no commission.
Tank water heaters last 8-12 years on average. Tankless lasts 15-20. If you're seeing these signs, the repair might not be worth it.
If hot water comes out rusty but cold water is clear, the tank interior is corroding. Once rust starts, leaks are a matter of months.
Sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank causes popping as water boils underneath it. Sometimes a flush fixes it. Often it doesn't.
Small leaks around fittings can be tightened. Water from the tank itself means the tank is cracked - time for replacement.
Check the sticker on the side of the tank. If it's past 10 years and acting up, replacement almost always beats repair.
If you used to get 15 minutes of hot shower and now you get 5, the dip tube or heating element is going. Fixable, but it's a sign.
A failing water heater works harder to do the same job. If your gas or electric bill is climbing and you haven't changed usage, the tank might be to blame.
No surprise add-ons, no "oh by the way" charges after we start. When we quote a water heater replacement, these are all rolled into the price before you sign anything.
Unit sourced, delivered, and installed. Bradford White, Rinnai, or Navien depending on what you pick.
We handle the paperwork and the inspection. Unpermitted water heaters become your problem when you sell the house.
We drain it, disconnect it, load it on the truck, and dispose of it properly. You don't lift a finger.
Required by code on most modern installs. Most competitors leave it off and charge for it as an "upgrade" later.
Old valves seize up and fail when you need them most. We replace the water heater shut-off at install, every time.
New braided stainless hot and cold supply lines. Not reusing the old ones that are ten years old and about to fail.
Catches debris before it reaches the valve or burner. Required by most city codes, often skipped by "handyman" installs.
On top of the manufacturer warranty. If anything we installed fails, we come back and fix it at no charge.
Call us. We'll troubleshoot over the phone if we can - sometimes it's a tripped breaker or a pilot relight. If it needs a truck, we'll get one to you fast.