Telltale signs: electric water heater installation
Electric tanks suit houses and suites that were never piped for gas, basement apartments that need their own supply, and rooms where a flue cannot be run. They have no burner, no chimney and no combustion air to worry about, which makes them flexible about placement.
- An existing electric tank leaking or past its years
- A new secondary suite needing separate hot water
- A gas unit being removed where venting no longer suits
- A household that has outgrown the current tank size
What we bring
- Drain hose, flux, torch and press tools
- Relief valve, dielectric unions, expansion tank
- Combustion and venting test gear
Tested before we leave
- Relief valve discharge pipe checked
- Gas or power connection leak-tested
- Hot water drawn at the furthest tap
On the job: what we open, clear and test
Capacity is chosen for the people in the house, not copied from the tank coming out. Two people in a condo and five people with a soaker tub need very different capacities and recovery rates. The old tank is drained and removed, the new one set level on a pan where a leak could damage finished space, and connected with new shut-off, dielectric fittings and a properly piped relief valve that discharges to a safe spot near the floor.
Electric heaters draw a substantial load. Where the existing circuit and breaker match the new element ratings, we reconnect to them; if a new or larger circuit is needed, a licensed electrician does that part, and we coordinate the timing so you are not without hot water longer than necessary.
What can change the job
Tank height and diameter must fit the space, including clearance to service the elements. Hard Toronto water scales elements over time; an anode check and annual flush prolong the tank, and a softener helps in some homes. If you are weighing an on-demand unit instead, read about tankless installation and the descaling it needs (descaling service).
Etobicoke homes and this job
Townhouse complexes in north Etobicoke, including parts of Thistletown, were often built all-electric, and many owners still have the second or third tank in the same closet. Condo suites at Humber Bay and along the Queensway frequently have compact electric units tucked behind a laundry door.
Before you call
Read the label on your current tank: capacity in litres or gallons, and element wattage. If it is a rental, note the company name. Then ring (365) 816-2905. If your showers are also weak, our note on low water pressure may be relevant.