Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Burlington Home

Published August 18, 2024 · Mountain Grove Plumbing & Drains

Water heater replacement is one of the most common plumbing jobs in Burlington — and one of the most consequential decisions a homeowner makes. The unit you choose will affect your energy bills, hot water availability, and maintenance costs for the next 10–20 years. This guide explains the main options, what they cost, and how to pick the right one for your home.

The Main Options

Conventional Tank Water Heaters

The standard option in most Burlington homes — a storage tank (40–80 gallons) that keeps water heated continuously. They're simple, reliable, and have the lowest upfront cost. The tradeoff is standby heat loss: the tank loses heat even when no hot water is being used, and the heating element runs to compensate. Typical lifespan is 10–13 years. For most households with predictable hot water demand, a conventional tank remains a perfectly sensible choice.

Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heaters

Tankless heaters heat water only when you need it, eliminating standby heat loss. They're physically much smaller than tank units and can last 15–20+ years with proper maintenance. The appeal for Burlington homeowners: no running out of hot water (the supply is technically endless as long as demand doesn't exceed flow rate), lower energy bills over time, and a longer lifespan. The limitations: higher upfront cost ($2,000–$4,500+ installed vs. $800–$1,800 for a tank), may require a gas line upgrade, and multiple simultaneous demands (shower plus dishwasher plus laundry) can tax the unit's flow rate.

Heat Pump Water Heaters (Hybrid)

Heat pump water heaters move heat from the surrounding air into the water rather than generating heat directly. They're 2–3x more efficient than conventional electric heaters. The requirements: they need to be in a space with adequate cubic footage (at least 700–1,000 sq ft) and ambient temperature above 4°C year-round — typically a basement in a Burlington home. They make more sense for homes with electric water heating; natural gas alternatives are often more cost-effective in Ontario given current gas rates. Upfront cost is higher; long-term savings can be significant.

Gas vs. Electric in Burlington

Most Burlington homes with existing natural gas service are better served by gas water heaters — gas heats water faster and operating costs in Ontario typically favour gas over electricity. The exception is if you're considering a heat pump water heater and have a suitable installation space, or if you're looking to eliminate gas appliances as part of an electrification project. New construction homes in Burlington are now required to be electrification-ready, which may influence your decision if you're planning a longer-term transition.

Sizing: Getting This Right Matters

An undersized water heater means running out of hot water; an oversized one means paying to heat water you never use. General sizing guidelines for tank heaters:

1–2 people: 30–40 gallon
2–4 people: 40–50 gallon
4–6 people: 50–60 gallon
6+ people: 60–80 gallon

For tankless heaters, sizing is based on flow rate (gallons per minute) and temperature rise. A plumber calculates this based on how many fixtures run simultaneously in your household and your incoming cold water temperature (which varies seasonally in Burlington).

Permits in Burlington

Water heater replacement in Burlington requires a permit from the City of Burlington when replacing a tank-style heater with a tankless unit (or switching fuel types). Standard like-for-like tank replacement typically doesn't require a permit but does need to meet current code for venting and connections. A licensed plumber handles the permit process — it's included in Mountain Grove's installation quotes.

What to Ask When Getting Quotes

Is the quote all-in? (Labour, unit, disposal of old heater, permit if required, all fittings and connections)
What's the warranty on the unit and separately on the labour?
What brand is it? (Bradford White, Rheem, and Navien are widely used in Ontario and have good parts availability)
Is the unit in stock for same-day installation, or is there lead time?

The Case for Replacing Before Failure

A water heater replaced proactively — when it's 12–14 years old and starting to show age — is a planned, convenient job done at your schedule. A water heater that fails suddenly often fails into a finished basement, destroying flooring, drywall, and belongings. The cost difference between a planned replacement and an emergency replacement (after water damage cleanup) is substantial. If your heater is over 12 years old, it's worth scheduling an inspection.