Having to deal with plumbing problems is never a pleasure. Not to mention, the issues always appear to arise during the most inconvenient times. That being said, thankfully, water heater installation is not one of those annoying situations that seem to take forever to complete.
If you plan to set up one in your house and find yourself wondering ‘how long does it take to install a water heater,’ you will get the answer below.
Read also: How Long Does It Take to Install A Tankless Water Heater?
How Long Does It Take To Install a Hot Water Heater?
Before you even touch the topic of water heater installation, have you ever felt curious about how long a water heater lasts? The majority of water heating systems nowadays are designated to survive for 10 to 15 years. There are plenty of modern, energy-efficient offers available on the market. Today’s homeowners have more options than ever before.

That being said, do they also provide the benefit of quick installation? Well, it depends on several factors. The first factor you need to consider is, do you need to install a new system or replace an old one? The replacement process will require less installation time than to set up a whole new water heater system.
The second factor you need to factor in is how experienced and skilled the handyman is? A professional plumber may only need 2 to 3 hours to complete the installation process – assuming there’s no unexpected complication. Below is the breakdown of the typical installation process:
- Remove your previous water heater: This step may take 45 to 60 minutes. It is not too complicated, but there are few crucial steps to assure safe removals, such as power source disconnection, tank drainage, water supply disconnection, and actual tank removal.
- New water heater set up: This step typically requires 30 minutes only, from hauling the tank in to position it in the place properly.
- Installing the system: This last step should take 45 to 60 minutes. The tank has to be connected to the power sources and water supply lines after being put in place. Gas water heaters may require a bit longer time. Then, the plumber must test the settings and make needed adjustments.
How Long Does It Take To Install A 40 Gallon Hot Water Heater?
Considering that the water heater installation by a plumber generally takes a couple of hours to complete, do you need a plumber to install a water heater, realistically?
If you think you can handle the setting up process that comes with plenty of safety warnings regarding the gas or electric water heater, then you probably can do it on your own. Remember that electricity, propane, or natural gas is all hazardous materials, so you may opt to call a professional to take care of these.
Moreover, you have to remember that different regions may have other plumbing codes. Consulting with a plumbing inspector in your local area can give you a more profound and broader insight into this particular problem, including the answer of how long does it take to install a water heater according to your situation.