How the job runs
- 1Size itmatch capacity and recovery to the household and fixtures
- 2Check ventingconfirm the chimney or side-wall vent is right for the new unit
- 3Remove the olddrain, disconnect and haul away the old tank
- 4Installset the new tank, connect gas or power, water and venting
- 5Commissionfill, purge air, fire it, and test the relief valve and temperature
01Picking the right size
A family of four with two bathrooms and a big soaking tub needs more hot water than a couple in a condo. We ask about showers, baths and laundry before suggesting a size, and we consider recovery rate, which is how fast the tank reheats.
Bigger is not always better; an oversized tank keeps heating water nobody uses.
| Typical sizes | 40 and 50 gallon gas tanks in most houses |
|---|---|
| Venting | Natural draft into a chimney, or power vent through the wall |
| Relief valve line | Must run down to within a short distance of the floor |
02Venting changes
After a furnace upgrade to a sidewall-vented condensing model, the leftover natural-draft tank ends up venting alone into a chimney sized for two appliances, and the draft suffers. The fix is a liner or a power-vented heater.
03Rental versus owned
If you are leaving a rental contract, check the terms for buyout or return before we pull the old tank.
04Drip pans and leak sensors
A pan under the tank and a sensor alarm add cheap protection.