Gas, electric or heat pump: which water heater fits?
Most Midvale homes already have a fuel hookup, and switching fuels adds work. Start with what you have, then ask whether a change makes sense.
| Type | Best fit | What it needs | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas tank | Homes with a gas line and a vent already in place | A flue to the roof, a gas shutoff and a sediment trap | Combustion air in tight closets |
| Electric tank | Homes with no gas, or a condo or apartment unit | A dedicated 240 volt circuit, usually 30 amps | Slower recovery, so a bigger tank helps |
| Heat pump (hybrid) | A garage, basement or utility room with open air around it | 240 volts, a condensate drain and roughly 700 to 1,000 cubic feet of air space | It cools and dries the room it sits in |
| Tankless | Households that want endless hot water and have space on the wall | Larger gas line and special venting for gas models | Needs yearly flushing in hard water |
A heat pump unit uses roughly a third of the electricity of a standard electric tank, because it moves heat instead of making it. The trade is a higher purchase price and a larger body, often 7 feet tall.
Midvale requires a permit and inspection for water heaters
Midvale City states that water heater replacement requires a building permit and building inspections. Permits are submitted online through Midvale Building and Safety at City Hall, 7505 S Holden Street.
Inspections are requested online at least 24 hours ahead, and only the contractor on record can schedule them. That is a real reason to hire a plumber for the swap, since an unpermitted heater can cause trouble when you sell or file an insurance claim. We pull the permit and meet the inspector, so you do not have to chase the schedule.
Not sure which type fits your house?
Describe your current heater and your family size. We will help you pick before anything is ordered.
What happens on install day
A standard tank swap usually fills most of a day. Gas conversions or relocations take longer.
- 1
Shut off and drain
We close the water and fuel, then drain the old tank to a floor drain or the yard.
- 2
Remove and prepare
The old unit goes out, and we check the drain pan, the flue and the shutoff valves.
- 3
Set and connect
New flex connectors, a relief valve and discharge pipe go in, plus an expansion tank where needed.
- 4
Fill and test
We purge air, check every joint for drips, then light the burner or power the elements.
- 5
Inspection and handoff
The city inspection is scheduled, and we show you the shutoff and the temperature dial.
If the old tank is already leaking onto the floor, read about water heater repair first. Sometimes a failed valve is the whole story and the tank has years left.
Parts that should change with the heater
A good install replaces the small parts that get reused too often.
Temperature and pressure relief valve
This safety valve opens if the tank overheats or overpressures. Its discharge pipe must run downhill to a safe spot, never capped.
Water and gas connectors
Old flex lines crack and corrode at the ends. Replacing them is cheap and avoids a slow leak behind the tank.
Expansion tank
On a closed system with a pressure regulator or backflow device, heated water has nowhere to expand. A small tank takes up that pressure and protects fittings.
Drain pan and shutoff valve
A pan with a drain line catches a failed tank in a closet or attic. A working shutoff above the heater lets you stop water fast.
Sizing check before you buy
A tank that is too small runs out. One that is too large wastes fuel every day.
- Count people in the house. Two to three people usually need a 40 gallon tank, and four or five often need 50 to 60 gallons.
- Note the peak morning use, such as two showers and a dishwasher at once.
- Measure the space, including height under a ceiling, a closet door width and clearance for the vent.
- Check whether the old unit is gas or electric and where its flue or circuit runs.
- Look at the data plate on your current heater for its first-hour rating and age.
Most tank heaters last 8 to 12 years. If yours is near that age and starting to leak, replacing it on your own schedule is cheaper than doing it after a flood.
Installing it yourself or hiring a plumber
A handy homeowner can do some of this. Gas, venting and permits are where most DIY jobs go wrong.
DIY install
- Fine for a like-for-like electric swap if you know how to shut off the circuit
- Gas connections and flue draft are easy to get wrong
- Permit and inspection still apply in Midvale
- A missed relief valve pipe can scald someone
Licensed plumber
- Sizes the vent and gas line to the new unit
- Pulls the permit and meets the inspector
- Tests for gas and water leaks before leaving
- Gives a clear price before work starts
What affects the cost of a new water heater
Two homes with the same tank size can get different totals. These are the usual reasons.
Homeowners insurance may cover a sudden tank burst and the water damage, but it rarely pays to replace a tank that simply wore out. Photograph the old data plate and keep the invoice.
If gas is involved
If you smell sulfur or rotten eggs near a gas heater, leave the house with doors open, then call Enbridge Gas at 1-800-767-1689 or 911 from outside. Do not flip switches or use a phone indoors.
A new gas heater should be tested at every joint with leak solution before we leave. If you are considering a move from gas to a heat pump or electric model, we can talk through the circuit and venting changes before you buy.
Water heater installation questions from Midvale homeowners
Yes. Midvale City says water heater replacement requires a building permit and building inspections. Permits go through Midvale Building and Safety, and only the contractor on record can schedule the inspection.
It depends on gas line size, venting and how much hot water you use at once. Tankless units cost more up front and need yearly flushing. Our tankless page covers the tradeoffs.
A standard like-for-like tank swap usually takes most of a day, plus the inspection visit. Moving the heater, changing fuel or adding a vent takes longer, and we will tell you before we start.
In many cases yes. Bring the model number so we can check that it fits your space, fuel and venting. We will tell you honestly if it is the wrong size or type for your house.
Shut off the water to the heater at its inlet valve, and turn off the gas or breaker. Then call us. Our line is answered 24/7, and we book same-day appointments when available.
A 50 gallon tank is a common fit for four people, though peak use matters more than headcount. If two showers and laundry often run together, ask us about a larger tank or a heat pump unit with a good first-hour rating.