Calgary Hot Water Tank Install & Repair

Hot water is something we often take for granted until we don’t have it. Whether you need a repair or are ready for a replacement, 180 Plumbing & Heating can take care of all your hot water needs. This includes installing all kinds of hot water tanks including conventional, power-vented and tankless water heaters.

Our hot water tank installs will help you enjoy hot showers and keep hot water running throughout your residential or commercial property. The majority of households in Calgary have a hot water tank installed for their hot water needs. Typically found in a basement or utility room, hot water tanks are easily identified. They are large metal cylinders designed to efficiently store hot water that has been heated to your desired temperature and kept hot until an appliance or faucet is switched on to request hot water. The hot water tank then slowly empties through your home plumbing system and will begin heating more water to keep up with demand.

Before making a purchase, it’s a good idea to have some familiarity with the following categories of water heaters:

These hot water heaters hold the majority of the market share in Canada. The design is a large vertical drum filled with water with a heating mechanism powered by natural gas (most common in Calgary), electricity, or oil. The tank provides a reservoir of hot water that is always ready for use and is sufficient for most day-to-day activities. Sometimes on occasions where there is a greater need for hot water, such as when there are multiple simultaneous activities that require hot water or when visitors stay at the house, the hot water tank will be depleted and the household will experience a delay in the delivery of hot water.

Tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type water heaters, heat water immediately rather than storing it in a tank beforehand. If the right size of tankless hot water heater has been installed for the property’s demands, the supply of hot water will be seemingly endless.

Not very common in Calgary, but heat pumps are popular among people looking to convert their homes to net-zero energy efficient heating systems. Heat pumps transfer energy from warm areas to heat your water in an energy efficient way. They are typically more expensive than a regular hot water tank.

If you are uncertain about what kind of hot water tank, or tankless system you should install in your home, our team will be more than happy to help you figure out what system will work best in your home. Contact us and ask for a quote today!

Here are several indicators to watch out for:

The 180 Plumbing & Heating team is experienced and well-equipt to handle any repairs or issues related to your hot water tank. Contact us today if you suspect your hot water tank requires servicing or repairs. We are committed to walking you through your options so you don’t feel pressured to choose one course of action or another. Some plumbing and heating companies might pressure you into choosing to install a new hot water tank instead of repairing an old appliance because that is more profitable for them. Rest assured that when you work with 180 Plumbing & Heating, our team will find options that work within your budget, and your home safety and comfort are our top priority.

There are a few key factors that go into deciding which hot water tank or tankless system is the right solution for your home. Here are some questions to ask:

If you’re replacing an existing hot water tank:

• What power source was connected to your old hot water tank?
• Would you want to consider changing fuel sources if it was more efficient?

The kind of fuel used to heat water will affect not only the yearly operating costs of the water heater but also its size and how efficiently it uses energy.

To determine the size of your hot water tank:

• How many people live in your home?
• How many appliances and fixtures use hot water in your home?
• How often does your family use hot water throughout an average day/week/month?

You require a water heater of an appropriate size to meet the demands of your home for hot water and achieve the highest possible energy efficiency.

Energy-efficient options:

• Consider energy-efficient hot water tanks that are available.
• How energy efficient is your home?

There are many new technologies built into new hot water tank models that will boost your utility bill savings. If you want to get the most out of your money and energy savings, examine the energy efficiency rating of a water heater before you buy it.

Budget considerations and the cost of your hot water tank:

• What is your budget for purchasing and installing a new system?
• Are there any additional or special features you may require?

Estimating the yearly running expenses of a water heater is something that should be done before making a purchase. These costs should then be compared to the operating costs of other models that are either less or more energy efficient. Weighing the pros and cons of choosing a more expensive or more energy-efficient model is beneficial for gauging the long term affordability of your hot water tank.

The 180 Plumbing & Heating team can help you choose a hot water system that will meet your needs, handle the installation of your new water heater, and provide ongoing maintenance for your new system to ensure that it works optimally for your family for years to come. Ask us for a free quote today.

Typically hot water tanks come with 6 or 9, 10 or 12 year warranties. Generally choosing a hot water tank with a longer warranty will mean it comes with better features to help you prolong the life of the appliance. One such feature is a replaceable anode rods. Anode rods are placed on the inside of your hot water tank and the water minerals will be attracted to the rod instead of binding to the sides of the tank and corroding the tank fittings from the inside out. The anode rod will eventually be completed dissolved by the water minerals. If your tank has the feature of a replaceable anode, typically found with 9 or more year warranties, you can insert a new anode and help lengthen the life of your hot water tank. An anode rod should typically be replaced every 6 years. Another great feature is the design of how the cold water enters the tank which helps to minimze some of the settlement on the bottom of the tank. More advanced tanks will have this feature to prolong the life of the tank, but a more basic tank with a 6 year warranty likely will not have this feature.

Many manufacturers will recommend annual flushing of your hot water tank to clear out any sediment in the bottom of your tank. This involves turning off the natural gas, or other heating fuel, to the hot water tank, attaching a hose to the bottom valve of your tank, opening the valve, and allowing the water to flush through the tank for about 20 minutes. If done annually, this can really help extend the life of your hot water tank. However, this maintenance strategy does come with some risks if you have not regularly flushed out your tank and there is a large amount of scale accumulated in your hot water tank. If there is a large amount of minerals when you flush out the tank, there is a risk that your bottom valve will become jammed with sediment and it will stop closing properly. This can cause regular leaks that would require replacing the entire bottom valve to fix. It’s best to discuss this option with our team before choosing this course of action to decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Hot Water Repairs and Replacements

A functioning hot water tank is essential for any home and when a problem occurs it can throw a wrench into your family’s routine. If you have issues with your hot water tank you need it fixed quickly and fixed right. The licensed and experienced Calgary plumbers and gas fitters at 180 Plumbing & Heating are here to help. We offer professional hot water tank repair and installation services for almost all makes and styles of hot water systems.

Contact us today to get a reliable hot water system working in your home as soon as possible.