Gas tank
Heats and stores 40 to 60 gallons. Simple, cheapest to install, and usually a same-day swap. Lasts 10 to 14 years in Hamilton's moderately hard water.
$2,100 to $2,900Natural vent, installed. Power vent: $3,200 to $4,200.
Water heaters
Tank or tankless? A plain guide before you spend.
Both work well in the right house. The right choice depends on how many people shower in a row, how your old unit is vented, and how long you plan to stay.
Tankless gas
Heats water as it flows. Endless hot water for long showers, wall-mounted to free up floor space, and lasts around 20 years with a yearly flush.
$4,800 to $6,900Condensing unit, venting and gas line upsized where needed.
Electric tank
For homes without gas, or a second unit for a basement suite. No venting, quiet, and slower to recover after heavy use.
$1,650 to $2,30040 or 60 US gallons, on the existing circuit.
Side by side
The honest trade-offs, for a typical family house in Hamilton.
| Compared | Gas tank | Tankless gas |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower: $2,100 to $4,200 installed | Higher: $4,800 to $6,900 installed |
| Hot water supply | Runs out after about two or three back-to-back showers, then needs 30 to 45 minutes | Doesn't run out, but flow is limited if a shower, the dishwasher and laundry all run at once |
| Space | A floor footprint about 60 cm across | A wall-mounted box about the size of a suitcase |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years | About 20 years |
| Upkeep | Drain a few litres from the bottom once a year | A professional descale and flush once a year |
| Venting | Often reuses the existing chimney liner | New plastic venting through a side wall |
| Best for | Smaller households, tight budgets, a quick swap | Larger families, long showers, owners staying many years |
Sizing
How big a tank do you need?
We size by the busiest hour of your morning, not by the number of bathrooms. These are starting points; we check the details on site.
| Household | Gas tank | Electric tank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 40 US gal | 40 US gal |
| 3 to 4 people | 40 to 50 US gal | 60 US gal |
| 5 or more, or a soaker tub | 50 to 60 US gal, or tankless | 60 US gal, or two units |
For tankless, we size by flow rate (litres per minute at your winter water temperature), which is why a quick look at your fixtures matters.
Rented tank?
A note on rental buy-outs
Many Hamilton homes still rent their water heater, often without knowing it: check your gas bill or a separate monthly charge. The tank belongs to the rental company, so the decision to buy it out or return it is between you and them.
- Call the rental company first and ask for the buy-out figure or the return process in writing. Contracts usually set a schedule based on the tank's age.
- If you return it, we disconnect the old tank, cap it and leave it ready for their pickup. We don't charge for that on an install day.
- If you'd rather keep it and buy it out, we can service it and tell you honestly how much life it has left.
- Your new unit is yours: no monthly fee, and the warranty is in your name.
Get a price
Read us the label on your current tank.
The model number, size and fuel on the label tell us most of what we need. Put them in your request and we can usually give you a firm installed price on the phone, before we visit.