Water Heater Installation in Moses Lake, WA
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A tank that works eight months of the year
Moses Lake homes need heat from October through May, eight months a year. That is eight months of cold water coming into the tank, on top of winter nights that average 25°F. A water heater sized and installed for that load has less trouble keeping up than one sized for a milder place.
Power outages are also a fact of life here. Washington saw 23% of households go at least 24 hours without power in 2024, and a standing pilot water heater keeps working through an outage since it does not need electricity to run. Whatever type you choose, it has to meet the federal minimum efficiency for its size, since the standard is set separately for each tank volume and draw pattern rather than as one number for every heater.
- 25°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 8 months
- October through May, the months homes here need heat
- 23%
- of Washington households lost power for a day or more in 2024, and a heater with an electric element or electric ignition stops without it
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
A heat pump water heater would save about $280 a year to run in Washington compared with an electric water heater.
Estimates for a typical Washington home, from EIA household energy data and Washington fuel prices. Your home will differ.
- How do I know it's time to replace my water heater?
- The clearest sign is age, since most tanks wear out after enough years of heating and reheating water. Once a tank gets old, a leak can start with no warning. Watch for water pooling at the base, rust on the tank, or hot water that runs out faster than it used to. If you're calling for repairs more than once a year, replacing it costs less trouble than patching it again.
- Should I switch to a tankless water heater?
- It depends on what you want from it, not on whether it's better in every home. A tankless unit heats water only when you're using it, so you don't run out during back to back showers, and it takes up less space than a tank. It costs more to install and may need changes to your gas line or electrical to run it. A contractor can look at your house and tell you what switching would actually involve.
- What changes when you install a tankless water heater?
- The biggest change is that you stop storing hot water and start heating it on demand. That means no more running out partway through a shower, but it also means the unit needs enough gas flow or electrical capacity to heat water fast, which your existing lines may not have. Venting is different too, since tankless units often vent through a different type of pipe than a tank does. A contractor checking your gas line, electrical panel, and venting beforehand will tell you what your house needs before the swap.