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How Much Does It Cost to Replace an 80-Gallon Water Heater?
National Average Range:
$2,600 - $5,000
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Water heaters provide your home with consistent hot water. They are integral to every home and sized to your needs. If you have a family of more than 5 people, a large bathtub, or a performance shower, you may want to consider an 80-gallon water heater. These tank-style heaters can heat 80-gallons of water in 1 hour, keeping it ready for when you need it. They can be powered by electricity or gas/propane. There are also 80-gallon holding tanks available for solar water heating systems.
The national average cost range to replace an 80-gallon water heater is $2,600 to $5,000, with most people paying around $3,500 for a high-efficiency 80-gallon gas-powered water heater in a direct replacement. This project’s low cost is $2,000 for an 80-gallon light service electric water heater in an open and accessible area. The high cost is $8,000 for an 80-gallon high-efficiency hybrid electric heat pump water heater with 6 elements in a difficult-to-reach location.
80-Gallon Water Heater Cost Calculator
Many 80-gallon water heaters are “commercial” because they are more often installed in commercial areas than residential settings. However, despite the name, they are commonly used in homes. Electric is the most common energy source because they are often designed for commercial use. Gas and propane 1 are less common but can be purchased directly from the installer. Below are the costs to install an 80-gallon water heater of different qualities.
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80-Gallon Water Heater Costs
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|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Standard | Best Quality | |
| 80-Gallon Water Heater Cost (Material Only) | $1,100 - $1,700 | $2,000 - $4,000 | $4,000 - $7,000 |
| 80-Gallon Water Heater Installation Cost (Labor Only) | $300 - $550 | $500 - $800 | $800 - $1,500 |
| Total Costs | $1,400 - $2,250 | $2,500 - $4,800 | $4,800 - $8,500 |
| 80-Gallon Water Heater Cost per Gallon | $17.50 - $28.13 | $31.25 - $60.00 | $60.00 - $106 |
Basic 80-gallon water heaters are considered light service, meaning they do not heat the water as quickly as other models. Standard heaters are usually high-efficiency, particularly electric ones, to help make them more eco-friendly and meet current regulations. The best heaters are usually hybrid models that use heat pumps 2 or solar energy with electric resistance to heat the water.
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
80-Gallon Solar Water Heater Prices
Solar water heaters are a great way to heat water in your home without other energy sources. An 80-gallon holding tank for your solar power system costs around $1,100 to $2,000 and uses a small amount of electricity to keep the water warm. The solar water system costs $8,000 to $10,000.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Top manufacturers. 80-gallon water heaters are less common than smaller models, but many top manufacturers still produce them, including Rheem, A. O. Smith, Rinnai, and Richmond.
- Lifespan. Expect your water heater to last at least 10 to 15 years. Most have warranties of at least 6 years.
- Maintenance. Water heater maintenance is fairly simple. They need to be occasionally drained and flushed to remove sediment from the bottom.
- Mounting. 80-gallon water heaters are large. They must be floor-mounted and often need a large space.
- Piping. If you need additional piping to reach the water heater, expect to pay an additional $8 to $10 per linear foot of pipe installed.
- Permit. Permits may be required for water heater installations in some areas. Always check with your local municipality for more information.
FAQs
- How much should an 80-gallon water heater cost?
80-gallon water heaters cost $1,100 to $7,000. The average cost range to install one is $2,600 to $5,000.
- Is an 80-gallon water heater enough?
For most households, this heater is more than enough. If you have a family of more than 5, a large bathtub, or a performance shower, 80 gallons should be sufficient.
- How long does it take to heat an 80-gallon electric water heater?
This depends on the type. Most take about 1 hour, but light service can take longer - up to 3 or 4 hours.
- Why are 80-gallon water heaters discontinued?
80-gallon water heaters are available. For a brief time, they were discontinued because it was difficult to heat that much water efficiently. This problem has been solved, and the heaters can now be used.
Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full cheat sheet.
1 Propane: A hydrocarbon gas used as a common fuel source
2 Heat pumps: A device used to heat or cool the air in a home by moving hot and cold air to where it is needed. The unit pulls hot air from inside the home in the summer and directs it outdoors, leaving the inside air cool, and pulls heat from outdoors in the winter and directs it into the home, thereby warming it
How much does it cost to replace an 80-gallon water heater in my city?
Cost to replace an 80-gallon water heater varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
Updated:
The information provided by our cost guides comes from a great variety of sources, including specialized publications and websites, cost studies, U.S. associations, reports from the U.S. government, contractors and subcontractors, material suppliers, material price services, and other vendor websites. For more information, read our Methodology and sources
