Your water heater can go out when you least expect it, and for many homeowners, it can create a massive headache & mess in your home. Replacing the water heater in your home shouldn’t be a hasty decision, however. Some retailers may advertise low prices or discounts on equipment like water heaters, but are they really the best choice when it comes to purchasing a new water heater? In this article we’re going to help you understand the differences between buying a water heater from a big box retailer like Lowe’s or Home Depot, vs. a local plumber like Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric. Whether your water heater has sprung a leak, burst, or you just want to upgrade for better efficiency & performance, we have you covered.
Many big box home improvement stores sell water heaters over the counter to anyone who wishes to purchase one. They typically carry one or more brands, and have a variety of price ranges. The benefits of buying from a retailer are that you can easily compare prices & view available stock. In addition, many times the equipment made to be sold at retailers may contain cheaper or less durable parts in order to discount the units.
In many cities, there are supply warehouses owned by either national or local wholesalers that supply equipment to local plumbing companies. Some of these supply houses may be open to the general public, but they will typically only sell parts & equipment like water heaters to licensed plumbers.
For a full service approach, most homeowners prefer to replace their water heater through a local plumbing company like Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric. These companies typically have ready-to-go stock, the logistics necessary to transport the water heater to your home, and the correct skills needed to properly install the water heater in your home. On top of that, they will typically dispose of your old water heater for you as a courtesy, and will provide warranties on the parts & labor for the water heater installation. This is in contrast to a handyman or low cost “marketplace installer” that may not warranty their labor or the equipment itself.
There are some benefits & disadvantages of purchasing a water heater from a retailer, namely;
These are the benfits of purchasing a water heater from a local plumber like Paschal, namely;
At the end of the day, you should choose the option that makes the most sense for you & your home. We never recommend that a homeowner attempt to DIY-install a water heater, especially a gas heater, as there could be a possibility of damaging your home or possessions with a faulty installation. If you need water heater repair or installation in Northwest Arkansas, Missouri, or the Fort Smith River Valley, give the professional plumbers at Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric a call at 479-900-0784.