Should I Buy a New Water Heater from a Retailer or a Plumber?

Replacing the water heater in your Roanoke area home is no small project. When purchasing a new water heater, many homeowners wonder whether they can purchase the equipment in retail stores, online, or at local hardware stores instead of calling a plumber.

Retailers advertise low prices on appliances, but are they the best choice when purchasing a new water heater? We may be a plumbing company, but we’re not biased when we say it’s best to purchase your new water heater through your plumber.

There are many key differences that Roanoke, VA homeowners may not expect when purchasing a new water heater from a retail store or local plumbing company. However, these differences have real implications for your water heater installation project.

Before you head to the plumbing section of the nearest big box store, understand the differences between purchasing a water heater at a retail store and purchasing it from a plumber. With the following information you will know what you are getting into in both cases.

Don’t take any risks when purchasing a new water heater – turn to Wisler Plumbing & Air when you need quality equipment with quality installation. Get a free water heater installation estimate when you contact us today!

Retail Experience When Buying a New Water Heater

The multitude of hardware stores and online retailers offer homeowners a wide selection of water heating systems to compare. The advertised discounts and low prices seem to indicate that this solution will help you save money on your water heater installation project, but is the low price worth it?

Water Heater Quality

The equipment available at a retail store or online is generally not the same as that sold by a local plumber. Low retail prices are often possible due to lower product quality and the use of less durable components. Retail water heaters may use plastic valves, aluminum anode rods, less insulation, and other components that are not of the same quality as professional models. Due to the choice of materials, these components have a shorter lifespan and are more susceptible to failure.

No Experts On-Hand

Making the right choice when purchasing a new water heater depends on expertise that the average homeowner does not possess. Well, in most cases this also applies to retail employees. Retail employees typically don’t have the detailed knowledge of plumbing systems and water heating equipment that a licensed plumber does, so you won’t be able to consult a professional when making your selection. Typically the only information you have are the product details printed on the screen or online.

Because retail employees rarely have professional plumbing experience, they are also unfamiliar with installing a new store-bought water heater. Homes may require additional work beyond connecting the new device to enable proper use, such as modernizing the plumbing system, re-laying plumbing or gas pipes and much more. Such work is often required when purchasing a new water heater to increase its capacity, change the fuel source, or switch from a tank to a tankless system.

Sales Only, No Service

Selling you a new water heater unit is a retailer’s only concern. Once the sale is complete, retailers will no longer be available to assist you. National stores and online retail giants place less value on your satisfaction with their products than a local company. They do not offer you any help with problems that may arise over the years that your water heater is in use.

Retailers do not provide installation services. So what do you do with a brand new water heater if you don’t know how to install it?

Purchasing a New Water Heater from a Local Plumbing Company

Purchasing a new water heater from a local plumbing company is not just about the equipment but also installation services. A plumbing professional will help you choose a new water heater, determine the right size to ensure the new unit meets your household’s needs, and perform reliable installation work. Additionally, a plumber is available 24/7 if you need assistance after installation.

Plumbing Expertise

Licensed plumbers have years of experience in the industry as well as specialized training. A local plumber knows the specifics of the water heater models that are right for your home and is a great resource when it comes to evaluating features and potential energy savings.

When you purchase a new water heater from a plumber, that professional will calculate your home’s hot water needs to ensure your new model will provide enough hot water for all of your family’s needs. Your plumber is the person you can talk to about what to do for more complex water heater installations, such as: Such as larger capacity units, installing a gas water heater instead of an electric model, or switching to a tankless water heater unit.

Quality Water Heating Equipment

Plumbers purchase water heaters from industrial wholesalers, dealers or directly from the manufacturer. Through these professional channels, plumbers have access to higher quality equipment that is made from longer-lasting components than retail systems. Years of business relationships provide plumbers with better prices, allowing them to pass on the savings to homeowners. They place orders and take care of deliveries so you don’t have to.

Installation & Future Care

After purchasing a new water heater from a plumbing company, a licensed plumber will install it. He or she will perform any work necessary to get your new system ready for your family’s use. This includes not only the installation of the device itself, but also all other work required for the installation, such as the installation of gas pipes or the re-laying of water pipes.

When you purchase a new water heater and have it installed by a plumber, you also benefit from the contractor’s labor guarantee. Plumbers usually offer a warranty period that protects you from unexpected repair costs if a problem occurs during the installation work. If your system requires repairs that are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, your plumber can also perform these tasks.

When you work with a local plumbing company, your support doesn’t end after installation: plumbers are tasked with building lasting relationships with their customers. For a local plumbing company, your satisfaction is important. Call your plumber for reliable service whenever your new water heater needs service or repair.

Don’t Expect that Most of Plumbing Company can Install a Retail Unit

It seems like a good idea to purchase a new water heater from a retailer and hire a plumber to install it—you’ll save money on the project by taking advantage of the retailer’s discounted prices. Unfortunately, most licensed plumbers do not perform this type of water heater installation.

Purchasing a new water heater outside of your relationship with a plumber means that the plumber will not be able to guarantee the quality of the unit or even that it is the right model for your home. Depending on the model of appliance, your plumber may not have experience with the brand you choose. Most plumbing companies are unwilling to install water heaters that homeowners purchased elsewhere.

Retailer Installation Woes

In recent years, major online and home improvement stores have begun offering installation services for equipment purchased through their companies. These services advertise that the work will be done by a licensed professional, which is why many homeowners find this a good option. Since a local plumbing company won’t install a retail-purchased water heater, just use the retailer’s service, right?

Using such a service when purchasing a new water heater has certain disadvantages. You don’t have the option to choose your preferred plumbing contractor – you’re forced to use the contractor hired by the retailer. If you have issues with the contractor’s qualifications or reputation, there is really no solution.

If problems arise during installation, homeowners must contact the dealer, who will act as an intermediary. This extra step between you and the plumber increases the time to resolution and reduces the risk of misunderstandings. Homeowners who have chosen to use these services report poor work from retail companies and difficulty solving their problems.

Choose Wisler Plumbing & Air for Water Heater Installation

Don’t take the risk of purchasing a new water heater from a retailer when your home’s hot water supply is so important to daily life. Wisler Plumbing & Air works with our customers to assess needs and match them with the perfect new appliance when purchasing a new water heater. Additionally, our licensed plumbers ensure quality work on every installation job. We guarantee your satisfaction, otherwise the job isn’t done.

If your Roanoke, Virginia home needs a new water heater, contact Wisler Plumbing & Air for water heater installation estimate.