Gas or electric
A gas unit has its burner under the tank and a chimney up the middle that lets exhaust and heat escape. An electric unit has heating elements inside the tank.
The tank water heater,
explained and priced.
Tank prices, installed
Installing a Bradford White gas tank to code, priced as a range.
See times and book onlineModels and specs
Installation prices are a range, and repair and service visits are plus parts. The technician confirms the final number before any work starts.
Shopping for a tank? Compare tankless, too.
A tank stores hot water for later. A tankless heats it as you use it. Here is what changes for your home.
- Continuous hot water
- No stored tank to run out, within the unit's flow capacity. Simultaneous showers and incoming water temperature determine sizing. Hot water still takes time to reach the tap.
- Less space
- A compact, wall-mounted unit can free up floor space. Gas, venting and service clearances still determine where it can go.
- Longer life
- A tankless can last up to 10 years longer than a storage tank.
- Running costs
- Heating on demand avoids a storage tank's standby heat loss, saving $175 to $275 a year.
New tankless installation: $5,200 to $6,300
A softener is priced separately.
General guidance: ENERGY STAR gas tankless benefits.
Storage tank water heaters 101
Gas and electric tanks work almost the same way. The difference is how they heat.
The tank
Tanks are generally tested to hold at least 300 psi. Most have a glass liner to stop the storage area rusting.
Keeping water hot
Insulation keeps the heat in. In most cases the insulation gets thicker as the price of the tank goes up.
Preventing disaster
A drain valve lets you empty the tank, and a pressure relief valve stops it from exploding.
Corrosion prevention
Heaters rust from the inside out. A sacrificial anode rod decays first, protecting the parts that matter.
How water flows
There's no pump. House pressure pushes cold water in, which sinks to the bottom because it's denser. Hot water builds up at the top, where the outlet is.
Temperature and pressure
The thermostat holds the water at a set temperature. Heaters can reach 180°F, but normal operating temperatures are 120 to 140°F. We set every new heater to 120°F.
City water pressure is generally 50 to 100 psi. When you open a faucet, cold water flows in from the city line and settles at the bottom. As the temperature drops, the thermostat turns the burner or elements on.
Sizing a tank
40 gallons for 1 to 2 bathrooms, 50 gallons for 2 to 3, and 75 gallons for 3 to 4.
Brandon explains
Why Brandon chooses Bradford White
Brandon at Quick Water Heater · 0:24–0:55
Brandon explains why he chooses Bradford White, from his experience with their parts and support.
Watch on YouTubeWhat goes into a replacement price
From Brandon's cost breakdown for replacing a 40 gallon gas heater (2022). Prices have moved since, but the parts list hasn't.
Parts in every install
- Bradford White contractor grade heater with a 6 year manufacturer warranty, 10 with the optional Bradford White extension
- Expansion tank, bracket and supply line
- Water shutoff valve
- Earthquake restraints
- Drip pan and its plumbing
- Two stainless steel supply lines
- Gas sediment trap
- Gas line with shutoff valve
- Exhaust venting
- Copper for the drain line and incoming water lines
Where the rest of the price goes
- Labor: the technician, a project coordinator and office staff
- Overhead, 20 to 40% of the price: workers compensation, liability insurance, payroll taxes, fuel, vehicles, the warehouse
- A profit, so the company is still here to honor your warranty
- Sales tax on parts
Power vent water heaters
What they are
A fan on top forces exhaust up the vent and mixes in cooler air, so the vent can be PVC and run in any direction. Common in condos built after 2000 where a vertical vent isn't possible.
What to know
They cost roughly $1,300 to $1,600 before installation, two to three times a standard heater. They're more efficient, but the onboard computer and fan make them less reliable in later years.
Care for a storage tank
Do this
- Flush the tank, check the anode rod and test the relief valve on the schedule in your heater's manual.
- Have a qualified technician assess a blocked drain valve or relief valve problem. Use parts and methods compatible with the model.
Avoid this
- Skipping the inspections, flushing and anode care specified in the manual.
- Ignoring excessive water pressure or a dripping relief valve. Have the pressure and thermal expansion controls assessed.
- Big box store heaters with retail warranty processes.
A tank install by our team
Strapped, insulated and vented, the way every tank we put in should look.
The Ridiculous Warranty
Optional cover for parts and labor. See what it adds to your installation in dollars.