Water Heater in Lakeland, FL.
Stuart’s Plumbing is Lakeland’s water heater experts for installation, repair, and replacement. We install and service every type of water heater, help you choose the right one, and back the work with upfront pricing you approve before we start.
Contractor CFC1427221
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Our Water Heater Services.
Installation.
New water heater installation for upgrades and switching system types.
Repair.
Water heater repair in Lakeland for no hot water, leaks, and pilot or element problems.
Replacement.
Water heater replacement in Lakeland when a unit fails or is past its life.
When water heaters first made their debut back in 1889, Americans only knew of the automatic gas water heater. Thanks to modern-day water technology and innovation, we have seen several improvements in Edwin Ruud’s invention. Today, water heaters have branched out into several main types.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service.
Most water heaters give some warning before they quit. Call us if you notice:
- No hot water, or hot water that runs out faster than it used to
- Water that takes longer to heat up
- Rust-colored or odd-smelling hot water
- Water pooling around the tank or its connections
- Rumbling, popping or banging noises
- A pilot light that won't stay lit, or a breaker that keeps tripping
Repair or Replace?
If one part has failed, like a heating element, thermostat, pilot assembly or valve, a repair is usually the sensible choice. If the tank itself is leaking, you’re seeing rust-colored water, or you’ve paid for several repairs in a short time, replacement tends to be better value. We’ll explain what we find and give you the price for each option before you decide.
Types of Water Heaters We Install.
The first automatic storage water heater was designed by Norwegian-born inventor Edwin Ruud in the late 1880s, and conventional tanks still follow the same basic idea. Since then, the choice has grown to five main types. Here’s how each one works and where it fits.
Hybrid (Heat Pump) Water Heaters.
A hybrid water heater combines a storage tank with a heat pump, which is why it’s also called a heat pump water heater. Instead of making all of its heat with electric elements, it draws warmth from the surrounding air and moves it into the water.
How it works.
A fan pulls room air across an evaporator coil. Refrigerant in the coil absorbs the heat, and a heat exchanger passes it into the tank. Because it relies on warm air, a hybrid performs best in warm spaces like a Florida garage and isn't a good fit for cold rooms.
What we love.
The U.S. Department of Energy says heat pump water heaters can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric models. They also cool and dehumidify the space around them.
Our pick
The Voltex® Hybrid Electric Heat Pump 66-Gallon Water Heater. A.O. Smith says it can cut water heating costs by up to 73%. It has an easy-to-read display and a vacation mode for when you're away, and it's backed by a 10-year limited warranty.
Tank Water Heaters.
Traditional storage tank water heaters are still the most common choice. They keep a tank of water heated and ready to use, powered by electricity or gas.
How it works.
A storage tank is paired with a heat source: two elements in an electric model, or a burner in a gas model. A thermostat holds the water at your set temperature, and the heater switches back on when hot water is used or cools.
What we love.
A tank is usually the most affordable way to replace a water heater, with no big upfront investment.
Our pick
The ProLine® Master 50-Gallon Electric Water Heater, with a 62-gallon first-hour rating, Coregard™ anode and 8-year limited tank warranty; and the Cyclone® Mxi Gas Tank Water Heater, with iCOMM™ remote monitoring and a modulating gas valve.
Tankless Water Heaters.
Tankless water heaters heat water only when you need it, using gas or electricity, with no storage tank. They come as whole-house units or small point-of-use units.
How it works.
Opening a hot tap sends cold water through the unit. A flow sensor tells the control board to fire the gas burner or switch on the electric element, and a heat exchanger warms the water as it passes through.
What we love.
No tank means no standby heat loss, and a unit about the size of a small suitcase frees up floor space.
Our pick
For electric homes, the Stiebel Eltron tankless water heater. For homes with natural gas, the Navien tankless water heater, including the NPE-180A condensing unit.
Condensing Water Heaters.
For homes with natural gas, condensing water heaters squeeze extra heat out of the exhaust gas that a standard gas heater vents outside. They come as tank and tankless models.
How it works.
A standard gas unit heats water through one heat exchanger and vents the hot exhaust. A condensing unit adds a second heat exchanger that captures heat from that exhaust and uses it to preheat incoming cold water, so the burner has less work to do.
What we love.
Reusing heat that would otherwise be wasted makes these some of the most efficient gas water heaters available. Our pick is the Condensing Tankless Water Heater NPE-180A.
Point-of-Use Water Heaters.
Point-of-use water heaters are small units, tankless or mini-tank, that serve a single fixture such as a sink or shower. Hot water arrives faster at that tap and you avoid heating water for the whole house, which suits additions, workshops and far-away bathrooms. Our pick is the ProLine® Specialty Point-of-Use 6-Gallon Electric Water Heater.
Pros and Cons of Different Water Heaters.
There are many options when it comes to selecting a water heater for your home and needs. Each style comes with different benefits and options, but also check that the water heater you’re thinking about either fits your current setup or if you may need to add new elements to accommodate your future setup. We’ve listed below a few of the various types of water heaters with their pros and cons side-by-side.
Type
- Pros
Cons
(heat pump)
- Very efficient; lower running costs; cools and dehumidifies the space around it
- Higher upfront cost; needs room and airflow
- Most affordable upfront; large stored supply
- Standby heat loss; takes floor space; can run out during heavy use
- Continuous hot water; no standby loss; compact and wall-mounted
- Higher upfront cost; short wait for hot water; may struggle with several taps at once
- Very efficient for gas homes; lower bills and emissions
- Higher install and maintenance cost
- Compact; fast hot water at one fixture; simple install
- Serves only one fixture
How to Choose the Right Water Heater.
Picking the right water heater can be the difference between a hot shower and a cold one. Three things matter most, and we’ll walk you through them during your visit.
Energy Source.
Homes with natural gas or propane usually look at gas tank, gas tankless or condensing units. All-electric homes usually choose an electric tank, hybrid or electric tankless.
Budget.
A standard tank or point-of-use unit keeps upfront costs low. Hybrid, tankless and condensing units cost more to buy but less to run.
Home Capacity
Small homes and apartments often suit electric tankless. Larger homes with a garage or utility room are good candidates for a hybrid. The number of people and how often showers overlap decide the size.
What Is the Installation Process of Water Heaters?
Water heater installation takes the right tools and know-how, and gas lines should only be handled by a licensed professional. Here’s what our plumbers do on installation day:
Shut off water and power.
We turn off the water supply and either the breaker (electric) or the gas valve (gas).
Drain the old heater.
We empty the tank through its drain valve.
Disconnect the water lines.
Swap the heaters.
We remove the old unit and set the new one in place.
Install fittings and reconnect.
We fit a new temperature and pressure relief valve, then reconnect the water and power lines, plus the gas line and venting on gas units.
Test everything.
We check for leaks, confirm the unit heats properly, and show you the settings.
Things to Consider Before Going Tankless.
Stuart’s Plumbing has been a Lakeland plumbing company for over 30 years, working from 3233 US 98 S. When you call us about a water heater, an experienced plumber explains your options in plain language, prices the job upfront, and treats your home with respect. If you’re not satisfied, our money-back Peace-of-Mind Guarantee has you covered.
We handle water heater installation, repair and replacement across Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale and Bartow. In Winter Haven?
Water Heater FAQs.
It only makes sense to have a few questions regarding water heaters. And it is only fair that we have answers.
Does my water heater need repair or replacement?
If the heater has one minor problem, a repair is usually enough. If you’ve needed several repairs, see rust-colored water, or the tank is leaking, it’s usually time to replace it. We’ll check the unit and give you both prices.
Why are tankless water heaters so popular, and do I need one?
Tankless units give you hot water on demand without a storage tank, and they save space. They suit many homes, but not every one. Households that run several showers at once, or homes without the right gas or electrical supply, may be better off with a tank or hybrid. We’ll help you decide.
My water heater isn't producing hot water. What could be wrong?
Common causes include a tripped breaker or lost power, a pilot that has gone out, a failed heating element or thermostat, or a leak. If the fix isn’t a simple reset, call a plumber, especially with gas units.
How can I make my water heater last longer?
Flush the tank at least once a year to clear sediment, and have the temperature and pressure relief valve and anode rod checked. Tankless units benefit from yearly descaling.
How much does water heater installation cost in Lakeland?
It depends on the type and size of heater, your fuel source, and whether gas, venting or electrical work needs updating. We give you an upfront price you approve before any work begins.
Do you provide water heater service outside Lakeland?
Yes. Along with Lakeland, we install, repair and replace water heaters in Winter Haven, Auburndale and Bartow. Call (863) 877-3108 to check availability at your address.
Schedule Water Heater Service in Lakeland.
Need a new water heater, or a repair on the one you have? Call Stuart’s Plumbing for installation, repair and replacement from an experienced local team.
- Stuart's Plumbing
- 3233 US 98 S, Lakeland, FL 33803
- License CFC1427221
