Water Heater Installation Across Puget Sound
A water heater is easy to ignore until it fails, and when it does the choice is not just tank versus tankless anymore. Heat pump water heaters have changed the math in Western Washington, because they use a fraction of the electricity of a standard electric tank and carry real rebate money from PSE and the local utilities plus the federal tax credit.
That said, the right water heater depends on your fuel, your space, your hot-water demand, and your electrical panel. A tankless gas unit, a standard tank, and a heat pump water heater each fit different homes. This page lays out the options honestly, covers the rebates that make heat pump models attractive, and explains what the install involves.
What a water heater installation includes
We size the unit to your household's real hot-water demand, not just the size of the old tank. The install covers removing and disposing of the old unit, setting the new one, connecting water, gas or electrical, and venting, adding the required expansion tank and safety fittings, and confirming there are no leaks.
For heat pump water heaters we also address condensate drainage and the space and airflow the unit needs, since it pulls heat from surrounding air. For tankless we handle the gas-line and venting requirements those units demand.
- Sizing to your household's hot-water demand
- Removal and disposal of the old water heater
- Water, gas or electrical, and venting connections
- Expansion tank, pressure relief, and code-required safety fittings
- Condensate drainage for heat pump water heaters
- Leak check and temperature verification at startup
When to replace your water heater
A tank water heater past 10 to 12 years is on borrowed time, and a leaking tank is not repairable: once the inner tank corrodes through, it gets replaced. Running out of hot water faster than you used to, rusty water, or popping and rumbling from sediment are all signs the unit is near the end.
Replacing before it fails lets you plan the upgrade, capture rebates, and avoid the water damage a burst tank causes. A failure on a Sunday night is the expensive way to make this decision.
Signs to watch for
- The water heater is more than 10 to 12 years old
- Water pooling around the base of the tank
- Rusty or discolored hot water
- Running out of hot water sooner than before
- Popping, rumbling, or knocking from sediment in the tank
- The pilot or burner repeatedly fails on a gas unit
What water heater installation costs and what drives it
A standard tank replacement is the least expensive option, generally in the four-figure range installed. Tankless gas units cost more because of the gas-line and venting work. Heat pump water heaters have a higher sticker but carry the largest rebates and the federal credit, which can bring the net cost close to or below a standard replacement.
We quote the installed price for each option you are considering and show the net after rebates for the heat pump model so the comparison is honest.
What drives the range
- Tank, tankless, or heat pump water heater type
- Fuel source and any gas-line or electrical changes needed
- Venting requirements, especially for tankless and gas units
- Panel capacity for electric and heat pump models
- Location, access, and condensate drainage for heat pump units
Rebates, tax credits, and permits
Heat pump water heaters are where the incentives concentrate. PSE offers rebates on qualifying heat pump water heaters, and Snohomish County PUD, Seattle City Light, and Tacoma Power run their own electric-side programs. On top of that, the federal 25C tax credit covers a share of a qualifying heat pump water heater up to the annual cap. Amounts change, so we confirm current programs against your address before you commit.
Standard tank and tankless units generally do not carry the same rebate weight, which is part of why the heat pump option often nets out competitively despite the higher sticker.
Water heater installation requires a plumbing permit in Washington jurisdictions, and electrical work for a heat pump or electric unit requires its own permit. We pull the permits and schedule inspection so the job is compliant and rebate-eligible.
How the install works
- 1
Same-day estimate
We assess your current unit, space, and panel, and give you a written estimate the same day with the net cost after rebates for a heat pump option where it fits.
- 2
Rebate confirmation and permitting
We confirm current utility and 25C amounts against your address, then file the plumbing and any electrical permits.
- 3
Removal and installation
We remove the old unit, set the new one, connect water, gas or electrical, and venting, and add the required expansion tank and safety fittings.
- 4
Startup and leak check
We fill, purge air, verify temperature, and confirm there are no leaks before we leave.
- 5
Walkthrough and inspection
We register the warranty, show you the controls, and close out the permit with the inspector.
New water heaters carry the manufacturer warranty, commonly 6 to 12 years on the tank depending on the model and longer on some heat pump units, and we register it for you. Our installation workmanship is warranted separately, including the connections and safety fittings.
Brands we work on
- Bosch
- Daikin
- Carrier
- Lennox
Water Heater Installation questions, answered
Is a heat pump water heater worth it?
For most electric households, yes. It uses roughly a third of the electricity of a standard electric tank, and PSE rebates plus the federal 25C credit often bring the net cost close to a standard replacement. It needs some space and airflow, which we check during the estimate.
Tank or tankless?
Tankless gives endless hot water and saves space but costs more to install because of the gas and venting work. A tank is cheaper up front and simpler. We match the choice to your demand, fuel, and budget rather than pushing one option.
How long does a water heater last?
A standard tank typically lasts 10 to 12 years, tankless longer with maintenance, and heat pump water heaters are rated in a similar range to a good tank. Once a tank starts leaking from corrosion it is at end of life and gets replaced, not repaired.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?
Yes. Washington jurisdictions require a plumbing permit for water heater replacement, and electrical or heat pump units need an electrical permit too. We pull the permits and schedule inspection, which also protects your rebate eligibility.
My water heater is leaking. Can you repair it?
If the leak is from a fitting or valve, sometimes. If the tank itself is leaking, no: the inner tank has corroded through and it must be replaced. We diagnose the source and tell you which situation you are in.
Related services
We serve homeowners across eight Puget Sound counties, Everett to Puyallup. See our full service area.
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We repair all major brands, whether or not we installed the system.
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