Water Heater Installation near you

A storage tank is the simplest and most familiar option. It keeps water at a steady temperature so hot water is usually available, as NRCan notes, but it also loses some heat through the tank walls around the clock, and once the stored hot water runs out you have to wait for it to recover.

A tankless unit doesn't run out as long as it can keep up with the flow, and it frees up floor space. Its limit is how many fixtures it can serve at once, and that shrinks in winter when the incoming water is colder. Gas models need their own venting and often a larger gas supply, and electric models can put heavy demands on the electrical panel, so the installer has to check both before recommending one.

According to NRCan, a heat pump water heater is far more efficient than a standard electric tank, but it needs open space around it for air to circulate and a room that stays reasonably warm, and it cools and dries the air where it sits. A utility room in a heated basement often works well; a small closet rarely does. Many models also have electric elements that take over when demand is high.

Sizing starts with how your household uses hot water, not with the size of the old tank. The installer should ask how many people live in the home, how many showers run back to back in the morning, whether you have a large soaker tub, and what else draws hot water, such as the dishwasher and the washing machine; NRCan advises consulting an experienced plumber to estimate that demand. For a tank, the question is how much hot water it delivers in a busy hour; for a tankless unit, how much flow it can heat at once when the incoming water is cold.

On installation day, the plumber shuts off the water and the energy supply, drains and removes the old heater, and sets the new one on a stable base, often in a drip pan where a leak could damage finished floors. They connect the water lines with shut-off valves, pipe the temperature and pressure relief valve so any discharge is directed safely downward, add an expansion tank where the plumbing calls for one, and connect the venting and the gas line or the electrical supply. They then fill the tank completely before starting it, check for leaks and test the venting.

A gas water heater must send its combustion gases outdoors. An older natural-draft model relies on a chimney or vent that has to be the right size and in good condition, and replacing a furnace that shared that chimney can leave it too large for the water heater alone, which an installer should check. Power-vented, direct-vent and condensing models need exhaust and intake terminals outside that are kept clear of snow and ice in winter. Every home with a fuel-burning appliance should also have working carbon monoxide alarms, as Health Canada recommends.

The gas connection, the venting and any electrical work belong with licensed professionals. In Quebec, gas work must be done by a specialized contractor who is a member of the CMMTQ, even in an owner-occupied house; in Ontario, only fuels contractors registered with the TSSA may install a gas appliance. Many municipalities also require a plumbing or gas permit and an inspection for a new or relocated water heater, so ask who will obtain the permit and keep the paperwork with the unit's documents.

Hot water has to be hot enough to keep bacteria in check, but not so hot that it scalds. The Government of Canada recommends setting the water heater to 60°C (140°F) to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Legionella, and installing anti-scald mixing valves on the heater or at faucets, showers and tubs, set to deliver water at 49°C (120°F). Children's skin burns much faster than an adult's, which makes mixing valves especially worthwhile in a family home.

Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol, which NRCan explains is given to products tested to strict efficiency standards and certified by an independent third party. For gas and oil-fired water heaters, NRCan points to the energy factor listed for each model: the higher it is, the more efficient the heater. Compare ratings between models of the same type, and weigh them against your energy prices, the space available and how much hot water you use.

Rebates and financing for heat pump and high-efficiency water heaters change often and differ by province, utility and municipality. Before you buy, check the programs currently open where you live, including your provincial energy-efficiency program and your electricity or gas utility, and read the conditions: some require an eligible model, a licensed installer or approval before the work begins.