As a business owner or commercial property owner, your days are likely packed to the brim. When you have employees and customers to manage, you don’t have time for your day to be derailed. Especially not by plumbing issues. One of the most frustrating plumbing problems? A broken water heater.
Hot water is an important part of our everyday lives, but it’s easy not to realize how essential it is until something goes wrong. That’s why when you need a commercial water heater installation, you want it done efficiently by a trustworthy plumber.
All that being said, if you’ve never dealt with a broken water heater before, you may not know what to expect. You likely have many questions, including:
- How much does a new commercial water heater cost?
- How long will installation take?
- What style of water heater is right for me?
We are here to answer all of those questions and more!
What Is the Difference Between Commercial and Residential Water Heaters?
Most of us have experienced problems with a residential water heater at one point or another, whether it was in our own homes or we saw it happen to our families as children. However, this could very well be the first time you’ve had to deal with a commercial water heater installation. So, what exactly is the difference?
There are actually quite a few. Here are some of the key differences.
- 📏 Size – It may sound obvious, but the biggest difference between residential and commercial water heaters is that commercial water heaters need to be much larger. This is because they typically need to bring hot water to more areas than your standard residential heater does.
- 💰 Cost – The average residential water heater typically costs around $600-$1000 to replace. A commercial water heater, on the other hand, can easily be twice that amount.
- ⏳ Longevity – A properly cared-for residential water heater usually lasts about 15-20 years. A commercial water heater, however, could last for over twenty years if well maintained.
Types of Commercial Water Heaters
When it comes to commercial water heaters, you typically have three different options when it comes to type.
- Gas heaters
- Electric heaters
- Oil heaters
Each of these commercial water heaters has different benefits and downsides. It is important to think about which one will work best for you. In general, your cheapest option will be to stick with the system that you previously had.
Commercial Water Heater Installation Process
So, what does the commercial water heater installation process look like? We’ve broken down exactly what you can expect.
1) Research Plumbers
When your water heater breaks down, the first thing you should do is contact a reputable plumber. While it can be tempting to try and fix a problem by yourself, a lack of hot water is an emergency that should be tended to by a plumbing professional.
You’ll want to look for a plumber that is licensed and insured. We always recommend checking out their reviews to get a sense of what past customers have thought about working with them.
2) Choose Your Water Heater
Once you’ve hired a plumber, they will come to assess the problem. Your plumber will talk you through the different types and models of water heaters available to you and what you can expect to pay for installation.
Once you’ve chosen the water heater you want, you may have to wait a few days for it to be in stock.
3) Clear the Area
On the day of the installation, you’ll want to make sure that the area around your water heater is clear of any items you may be storing. Commercial water heaters are big, which means you’ll want to give your plumber plenty of room to work in.
4) Remove Old Water Heater
Your plumber will begin by removing the old water heater. To do this, they will shut off the water and drain the tank. Be sure to check with your plumber about what you are expected to do with the old water heater. While some plumbers will occasionally dispose of an old water heater for you, others may require you to call a disposal service to remove it from your property.
5) Installation
Now it is time for the fun part! Your plumber will install your new water heater. This is typically a short process and should only take a few hours at most.
6) Schedule Tune-Ups
Before your plumber goes, talk to them about scheduling regular tune-ups. After all, when you’ve invested in an expensive piece of equipment like a new water heater, you’ll want to make sure that it can run properly for years to come. Getting professional maintenance services can help extend the lifespan of your commercial water heater significantly.
How Much Does a Commercial Water Heater Cost?
Now that you know what the process looks like, we can talk about what we are sure is your biggest concern.
That’s right. Cost.
A new commercial water heater is a significant investment, but as we’ve mentioned, it can also last you for a significantly long time! The overall cost will be affected by the size of the tank that you need for your building, as well as the type of heater you need. In general, a new commercial water heater will cost between $2,500-$5,000.
Talk to Your Local Preferred Plumber
Ready to schedule your commercial water heater installation? Black Tie Plumbing provides residential and commercial plumbing services to Texas residents. We are proud to offer light plumbing services for commercial business owners, including hot water heater repairs and replacements. Contact us today to set up your appointment with our expert plumbers!
Black Tie Plumbing 
April 2024 
