Water Heater Installation
Time for a new water heater? We install tank, tankless, and hybrid systems throughout Pittsburgh. Licensed plumbers, proper permits, and quality you can count on.
When Should You Replace Your Water Heater?
Most water heaters last 8-12 years. If yours is showing any of these signs, it may be time for a new one rather than another repair.
Not sure if your unit needs repair instead? Visit our water heater repair page for more guidance.
Types of Water Heaters We Install
Traditional tank
Capacity: 40, 50, 75, or 80 gallons • Lifespan: 10-13 years
Best for: Most Pittsburgh homes. Replacement of an existing tank is usually same-day, parts on the truck.
Advantages
- Lowest upfront cost — typical swap is $1,200-$2,800 installed
- Straightforward replacement — no gas or electric upgrade needed
- Familiar tech — any plumber can service it
- Handles back-to-back shower demand well
Considerations
- Leaks standby heat 24/7 even when nobody's home
- Takes up a corner of the basement
- Runs out when you stack a shower, dishwasher, and laundry
Tankless (on-demand)
Capacity: Sized by flow rate (GPM) not gallons • Lifespan: 15-20 years with proper descaling
Best for: Homes that keep running out of hot water with the current tank — or homes where floor space matters.
Advantages
- Hot water never runs out in the middle of a shower
- Wall-mounted — reclaims 6-9 sq ft of floor space
- Significantly lower gas bill over its lifetime
- Often qualifies for utility rebates and a federal tax credit
Considerations
- Higher upfront — typically $3,500-$6,000 installed
- Often needs gas line upsizing from 1/2" to 3/4"
- Wants a yearly flush — hard water kills them without it
- Flow limits: one major high-flow fixture at a time
Heat pump (hybrid)
Capacity: 50, 65, or 80 gallons • Lifespan: 10-15 years with annual filter cleaning
Best for: All-electric homes, or gas homes where the owner wants the lowest operating cost available.
Advantages
- Cheapest to operate of any electric option — often ~60% less than a standard electric tank
- Federal tax credit + utility rebates on qualifying installs
- Doubles as a basement dehumidifier
- Smart controls and leak alerts typically included
Considerations
- Needs 700+ cubic feet of unconditioned air around it
- Slightly louder than a tank — like a window AC
- Slower recovery in the dead of winter
- Highest upfront cost before incentives
Water Heater Sizing Guide
Picking the right size is critical. Too small and you will run out of hot water. Too large and you are wasting energy every month.
Our Installation Process
Visit and size it
We come look at the existing setup, ask about your hot-water habits, and recommend the unit that actually fits your house — not just what's cheapest.
Price it in writing
Flat-rate quote in writing before anything gets ordered. Itemized so you know what the unit costs, what the install costs, and what permits cost.
Permits, if the job needs them
Tankless conversions and heat-pump installs usually require permits. Straight tank-for-tank swaps usually don't. We handle whichever applies — you don't chase paperwork.
Install it clean
Old unit drained and hauled away, new unit set and plumbed in, gas/electric re-connected, vent verified (for gas units), T&P discharge properly routed, full pressure and temperature test before we leave.
Walk you through it
Temperature setpoint, how to flush it, how to bleed air, and what to do if it ever throws a code. You get the manual, the warranty card, and a number to call.
Permits & Code Compliance in Pennsylvania
Water heater installation in Allegheny County requires proper permits and must meet Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code standards. This is not something you want to cut corners on.
- We pull all required permits so you do not have to
- All installations meet current PA plumbing and gas codes
- Proper venting, connections, and safety valve installation
- Licensed and insured plumbers on every job
Improper installation can void your warranty, create safety hazards, and cause problems when selling your home. Always use a licensed professional.
Ready for a New Water Heater?
Hoffman Plumbing makes water heater installation easy. Free estimates, expert sizing advice, professional installation, and we handle the permits. Serving Pittsburgh, McDonald, and all surrounding communities.
Licensed Plumbers • Free Estimates • Permits Included • Serving McDonald & Greater Pittsburgh