Do you need to get a new water heater for your home? Finding the right water heater company to ensure a proper installation with zero leaks can be crucial for protecting your home. According to Plumbing Manufacturers International, leaks make up 13.7% of water use. You want to find a dependable team you can trust to provide a water heater installation. Here are seven questions you should ask when consulting with a water heater company.

1. What Kind of Heater Is Suitable for My Home?

You're going to have several different types of water heaters to choose from. These can include electric hybrid water heaters, gas water heaters, oil water heaters, tankless water heaters, and more. Each of these has different factors you may want to consider when deciding which option is best for your home.

Electric hybrid water heaters use electricity to operate a heat pump. These types of water heaters have a high energy efficiency, as they can typically use less energy than traditional electric water heaters. They also offer greater performance in colder weather, which can be beneficial during winter months.

Gas water heaters can be more cost-effective since natural gas is often cheaper than electricity. Also, since they don't run on electricity, they can heat your water even during a power outage. Along with gas water heaters, oil water heaters have similar benefits since they run on a fuel source alternative to electricity.

Tankless water heaters are another great option, especially for people without a ton of space in their homes. Since these heaters don't have a water storage tank, they take up a smaller area. This can be helpful if you live in a smaller home and need as much storage space as possible. These are also highly energy-efficient since they only heat water when needed.

2. How Long Will the Installation Take?

When you're getting a water heater installed in your home, you'll probably want to see what kind of turnaround time you're looking at. Based on our experience, a standard installation can take around a few hours, but if you're looking for multiple services, the times may vary. A high-quality water heater company should be experienced in all kinds of installations, so they should be able to give a good estimate of how long the process takes. Knowing the length of time an installation takes is important for scheduling the installation and planning your day. A good company will work its best to minimize home disruption, allowing you to go about your day during the installation process.

3. How Much Experience Do You Have?

When it comes to a water heater installation, you want to work with a company with plenty of experience to ensure everything gets installed correctly and smoothly. A water heater is an important part of any home, so you want to be sure you can trust the team installing it for you. Without a proper installation, you could be dealing with frigid showers, leaks, and water damage. Be sure to ask the company how long they have been in business and how much experience each team member has.

4. What Other Services Do You Offer?

Finding a high-quality company to install a water heater for you is one thing, but what other services can they provide you? If you find a company that offers a multitude of services dealing with home plumbing or even HVAC, they can save you a ton of time when it comes to maintaining other systems in your home. Instead of finding a new, reputable company every time you need a repair in your home, you can simply contact one trustworthy company that offers a wide variety of home services, ranging from plumbing repairs to AC installations.

5. Are There Particular Local Permits or Codes?

States and counties tend to have their own sets of codes and regulations in every aspect of homes. They range from the size of the home to the size of things in the home. It should come as no surprise that they will have a say in the type of heaters and what type of installation permits are needed, and they would like to enforce them in the form of a fine if they find that something wasn't done correctly.

It's always a good idea to ask about required permits before beginning any work. Most of the time, the plumbing company can assist you with obtaining these or answer any questions you may have regarding the requirements. It's better to ask about this earlier than to be caught unprepared later. Experienced companies will know exactly what they have to do to meet all codes and regulations and will explain things in a way that's easy for you to understand.

6. How Much Will a Water Heater Installation Cost?

It's important to ask for an estimate before beginning work. This will ensure you're getting clear and accurate pricing upfront without any hidden fees. A reputable company will be open and honest about the total cost and reasons for each fee, such as the cost of the tank, the labor, and more. This will help you prepare your budget in advance. Another thing to inquire about is their warranties. You want to hire a company that stands behind their work. Getting answers to all these questions can give you a good baseline for what you should look for in one of these companies.

7. Do You Have a Good Reputation in Your Community?

Another great thing to inquire about is the reputation of a company. This is something you can often research on your own by checking out their social media pages and reading online reviews. This will allow you to gauge the quality of their work and customer service from the perspectives of previous customers. Reviews will often give you the chance to see how well a company works with its customers. If they have plenty of good reviews, that's a pretty good idea you're working with a quality company. Another thing you could ask the company directly is to see a portfolio of previous work experience. This can be handy if you want to see what the final results may look like, and it gives you peace of mind knowing the company has experience in the services you're looking for.

It's important to ask these questions when you're going to get a water heater. You want to get the right one for your home and needs. Yes, the internet has made it easier to do research, but there are some things that you might not know to look for. By talking to a professional, especially an experienced one, you can have a conversation that can help lead to the right decision. They will also ask you questions that can help you come to your decision, like the size of your home and how frequently you use hot water.

Are you looking for a water heater company in your area? We provide a variety of plumbing services, including water heater installations. We're the right team for you. Contact Martel Plumbing & Heating today to learn more about how our services, experience, and products can improve the quality and function of your home systems.