Tank, tankless, and heat pump water heaters, installed, repaired, and replaced across the Shuswap. Free estimates, and a 24/7 emergency line for when the hot water's gone.
A water heater usually gives you a few warnings before it quits. Here's what to watch for:
Some of these are worth fixing and some mean the end is near. Noises usually come from sediment settling in the bottom of the tank, and rusty water can point to a worn-out anode rod, both of which we can often sort out. A dripping relief valve is usually a sign that the water pressure is too high or the system needs an expansion tank. But water leaking from the tank itself (opens in a new tab) is the one that can't be repaired, and it's time for a new one.
Tank leaking? Turn off the cold water valve on the pipe going into the top of the tank, then call (250) 832-5846. Our emergency line is answered 24/7.
I called this morning for a hot water tank issue, asked if someone could come out today to look. Someone was here by 2:30 and it's all fixed! Kind, helpful, professional. I'll be calling Ecoflow next time I need a plumber.
There are four main options, and the right one depends on how your home is heated, how much hot water your household goes through, and where the water heater lives.
The most common choice, and the simplest swap if that's what you have now. Most homes have a 40 or 50 gallon tank, which keeps enough hot water ready that several taps can run at once, and a gas tank heats back up quickly. Older tanks vent up the chimney; power-vented models push their exhaust out through the wall in plastic pipe instead, which helps if a new furnace has left the chimney behind.
Common in rural homes and cabins without gas. Electric tanks are simple and have no venting, but they recover more slowly than gas, so a big household can run them dry. If you're on an electric tank now, have a look at a heat pump water heater before you replace it like for like.
A tankless unit heats water only when a tap is open, so you never run out, and a Rinnai tankless (opens in a new tab) can last up to 20 years, about twice as long as a tank. The trade-off is that it can only heat so much water at once. In a Shuswap winter the water coming into the house is a lot colder, and Natural Resources Canada (opens in a new tab) notes a tankless heater gives noticeably less hot water when the incoming water is near freezing, so we size it for January rather than July. Most tankless units also need a bigger gas line than a tank, and that's often what separates a good install from a disappointing one.
A heat pump water heater pulls warmth out of the air around it and moves it into the tank, and uses up to 50% less energy (opens in a new tab) than a standard electric tank. It needs room to breathe, though. Most models want a space of about 700 cubic feet that stays above 3°C, like an unfinished basement or a utility room, and they cool the room they're in, which is handy in summer and less so in a small heated space in winter. They also need a condensate drain, and most models need their own 240-volt circuit, which an electrician we work with looks after. It's the best fit for homes switching from an electric tank.
Swapping an electric tank for a heat pump water heater can come with a $1,000 rebate from BC Hydro (opens in a new tab), as long as the electric tank is your home's main water heater and a licensed contractor does the install. You apply within six months of the invoice, and we'll make sure you have the paperwork you need from our side.
If your household qualifies for CleanBC's income-qualified program (opens in a new tab), a heat pump water heater can be covered by up to $3,500 instead, whether you heat your water with gas, propane, oil, or electricity. That program has to go through a registered contractor, and we are one.
There aren't any general rebates on gas water heaters right now. FortisBC's (opens in a new tab) ended in 2023.
A little maintenance adds years to a water heater. Water quality is the single biggest factor (opens in a new tab) in how long a tank lasts, and Salmon Arm's water comes from two very different sources. The City draws from Shuswap Lake and from East Canoe Creek, and in the City's 2019 water testing (opens in a new tab) the creek water was about four times harder than the lake water. Harder water leaves more scale in tanks and tankless units, so they need looking after a little more often.
On a water heater service we:
Rinnai recommends flushing a tankless unit at least once a year, and tank manufacturers recommend a yearly flush as well.
You can read a bit about all of our employees on our About page!
Meet the crewThe type, the size, and what the venting and gas line need all change the price, so we quote once we've seen your setup. Estimates are free, and you'll have the number before any work starts. If you'd like to spread out the cost, financing is available through Financeit.
Most tanks last around 10 years (opens in a new tab), and a well-kept tankless unit can last up to 20. If your tank is getting close to 10 and starting to show warning signs, it's a good idea to price a replacement while you still get to pick the day.
Often, yes, when it's a straight swap. The Bradford White tanks we install are kept in stock by our suppliers in the common sizes. Switching types, from a tank to a tankless or a heat pump water heater, takes more planning because the gas line, venting, or electrical usually changes too.
It can be, especially for a household that runs out of hot water or wants the space back. It costs more up front than a tank and needs a yearly descale, so it pays off best in a home that uses a lot of hot water. We'll price both so you can compare.
Yes. Technical Safety BC (opens in a new tab) requires a permit for installing or replacing any gas appliance, including a water heater. We're a licensed gas contractor, licence LGA0209457, and we take care of the permit as part of the job.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (opens in a new tab) recommends keeping the tank at 60°C, which keeps bacteria like Legionella from growing, and fitting mixing valves so the water coming out of the tap is cooler and safer. If you have young kids or elderly family at home, ask us about a mixing valve when we're there.
Call us or fill out our contact form, and we'll get back to you to book a free estimate on a new water heater, or a service on the one you have.
Reach us between 8:00 and 4:00 on a weekday and you'll hear back the same day.
