Dominion Energy Rate Hike Pushes Charleston Homeowners Toward Tankless Water Heater Upgrades
Summerville, United States - May 13, 2026 / Yeehaw Plumbing /
As South Carolina homeowners brace for a proposed 12.7% increase in residential electric rates, Charleston-area homeowners are increasingly asking what they can do at home to soften the blow.
According to Yeehaw Plumbing, a locally owned plumbing company serving Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, one of the most common questions over the past several months has been about water heaters.
"The water heater is one of the biggest energy users in most homes — and a lot of folks don't realize how much an old, inefficient one is costing them every month," said Seth McAulay, owner of Yeehaw Plumbing and a South Carolina–licensed plumber. "With bills going up, people want to know what's in their control. We've seen a real uptick in calls about tankless conversions, sediment flushes on older tanks, and homeowners just wanting to understand whether their setup is costing them more than it should."
What Lowcountry homeowners can actually do
McAulay says the homeowners who benefit most from the conversation aren't always the ones who need a new system. "Sometimes the answer is a $200 service call, not a $4,000 replacement. We'd rather have an honest conversation and tell somebody their tank has another five good years in it than sell them something they don't need."
For homeowners considering an upgrade, Yeehaw Plumbing points to a few common paths: tankless water heaters, which heat water on demand and typically use 24%–34% less energy than standard tanks for the average household; high-efficiency tank replacements; and simple maintenance — flushing sediment, checking the anode rod, and confirming thermostat settings — that can extend the life of the equipment already in place.
Hurricane season is the other deadline
The rate hike isn't the only date on Lowcountry homeowners' calendars. The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1, and forecasters at Colorado State University and AccuWeather are projecting an active-to-near-average season with the potential for several U.S. landfalls.
"We see the same thing every year after a storm," McAulay said. "Failed sump pumps, water heaters knocked out by power surges, supply lines that should've been replaced two years ago. The folks who get through it cleanest are the ones who did the boring stuff in May." Yeehaw Plumbing's pre-season recommendations include checking shut-off valves, testing sump pumps, inspecting water heaters for corrosion, and knowing where the main water shut-off is located before a storm — not during one.
About Yeehaw Plumbing
Yeehaw Plumbing is a locally owned plumbing company serving the Charleston tri-county area. Founded by licensed plumber Seth McAulay, the company is fully licensed and insured and offers same-day service, transparent flat-rate pricing, and 24/7 emergency response across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Services include water heater repair and replacement, tankless conversions, drain cleaning, leak detection, repipes, gas line work, and fixture installation. For more information, visit https://yeehawplumbing.com or call (843) 509-6943.
Contact Information:
Yeehaw Plumbing
4205 Zephyr rd
Summerville, South Carolina 29486
United States
Seth McAulay
+1-843-509-6943
https://yeehawplumbing.com