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When your water heater fails in Piedmont, you need a replacement fast — but you also need to make the right choice. Our plumber Holden handles water heater installations across the Piedmont area and helps homeowners navigate the options.
Gas vs. Electric: Which Is Right for Your Piedmont Home?
The answer depends on what infrastructure your home already has.
Natural Gas Water Heaters
If your home has an existing gas line, a gas water heater is typically the more cost-effective option for operating costs. Gas heats water faster than electric (a 50-gallon gas unit recovers in about 40 minutes vs. 60-90 minutes for electric), which means less waiting between showers in a busy household.
On a recent job in the Boiling Springs area, Holden completed a comprehensive water heater project: a new 50-gallon natural gas tank water heater, a new expansion tank, a drain pan, and a 3/4″ PRV in the garage — setting the water pressure to 65-70 psi and including a 2-year parts and labor warranty with active Club Wally membership. Total investment: under $4,000 for a system that will serve the homeowner reliably for the next 12-15 years.
Electric Water Heaters
If your home doesn’t have gas infrastructure, an electric water heater is the standard choice. Modern electric units are reliable and efficient, with lower upfront installation costs since no gas line or venting is required.
Electric heat pump water heaters are a newer option that operate at 2-3x the efficiency of standard electric models. They extract heat from the surrounding air (similar to how an air conditioner works in reverse) and use it to heat the water. They cost more upfront but can cut water heating costs by 50-70%.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless units heat water on demand — no tank to run out of. They’re compact, energy-efficient, and last 20+ years. The tradeoff is higher installation cost (especially if retrofitting from a tank system) and potential flow rate limitations for homes with high simultaneous hot water demand.
The PRV Connection
Holden often installs a pressure reducing valve alongside a new water heater — and there’s a good reason. Excessive water pressure (above 80 psi) stresses the water heater’s tank, fittings, and relief valve. It also shortens the life of every faucet, toilet valve, and appliance in the home.
A pressure expansion tank is another component Holden recommends with new water heater installations. When the water heater heats water, the water expands. In a closed plumbing system (one with a PRV or check valve on the supply line), that expanded water has nowhere to go — creating pressure spikes that stress the tank and can trigger the T&P relief valve. The expansion tank absorbs that pressure safely.
What to Expect During Installation
A standard water heater replacement in Piedmont typically takes 2-4 hours:
1. Old unit disconnected, drained, and removed 2. New unit set in place and leveled 3. Water connections made (supply and discharge) 4. Gas connection (if applicable) with leak testing 5. Electrical connection (if applicable) 6. T&P relief valve discharge pipe routed to a safe location 7. System filled, air purged, and temperature verified 8. Full operational test before we leave
Serving Piedmont and Anderson County
Piedmont sits at the intersection of Greenville and Anderson counties — and we serve both. Our plumbing team covers Piedmont, Williamston, Pelzer, West Pelzer, and the surrounding communities.
YOUTUBE EMBED: Got High Water Pressure? This One Valve Fixes It FAST — @YallCallWally
Call Waldrop Plumbing Air Electric at (864) 536-0887 to schedule a water heater consultation or emergency replacement.
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