- Service
- Electric Water Heater Replacement
- Category
- Water heaters
- Where
- Newmarket and nearby York Region
- Booking
- By telephone
Clues that point to electric water heater replacement
Electric tanks fail in fairly predictable ways. Elements and thermostats can be replaced, often more than once. The tank itself cannot. Once the steel shell corrodes through, water seeps out at the base or around a fitting, and the only fix is a new heater.
- Water seeping from under the tank jacket
- Elements replaced twice and still short of hot water
- Rusty water from the hot tap only
- Tank age past twelve to fifteen years
Our method, in order
- Turn off the breaker and confirm the circuit is dead before touching any wiring.
- Empty the existing tank by running a hose over to a basement drain.
- Fit the new heater with fresh water connectors and dielectric fittings where copper meets steel.
- Pipe the relief valve discharge correctly and add a drain pan where the tank sits above a finished floor.
- Fill the tank completely before restoring power, so the elements never fire dry.
- Check element current draw and set the thermostats to a safe temperature.
Bench note
Never switch on an electric tank that is not full of water. A dry element burns out within seconds.
Newmarket houses and this job
Electric tanks are more common in the rural parts of our area, in homes around Queensville, Mount Albert and the farm properties of East Gwillimbury that do not have natural gas at the road. On a well, sediment and hardness are often higher, and we suggest anode checks and an annual flush to protect the new tank.
In town, you will mostly find electric heaters in condos and some townhouses around the Upper Canada Mall area and along Davis Drive. These are often tucked into a closet on a finished floor, so a catch pan underneath plus a small water alarm costs little and saves a ceiling.
Choosing the size
| Household | Typical tank |
|---|---|
| One or two people | 40 gallon |
| Three or four people | 50 gallon |
| Five or more, or a large tub | 60 gallon or a hybrid heat pump model |
Heat pump water heaters are an option worth asking about. They cost more upfront but use much less electricity, as long as the space around them is large and stays reasonably warm.
Next step
Call with the size and age of your current tank. Still weighing the options? Read tankless or tank.
Phoned-in questions
Is electric or gas cheaper to run?
In most of Ontario natural gas has been cheaper per unit of hot water, but a heat pump water heater narrows the gap. Rates change, so compare current prices.
Can I install it myself?
Ontario requires permits for some plumbing work and a licensed electrician for wiring changes. Simple like-for-like swaps are still best left to someone who does them often.