Water Heater Replacement in Broward County

When to replace instead of repair

• The tank is leaking from the body or bottom. A leaking tank cannot be repaired.
• The unit is 10 years old or older. In South Florida heat and hard water, most tanks last 8 to 12 years.
• Rusty or discolored hot water, or rumbling and popping sounds from sediment buildup.
• Repairs would cost more than about a third of a new unit.

What a proper replacement includes

• Removal and disposal of the old water heater
• New tank sized to your household (usually 40 or 50 gallons for Broward homes)
• New supply lines, shutoff valve and temperature and pressure relief valve
• Drain pan and leak protection where required, which is common in condos and closets
• Expansion tank if your water system requires one
• Plumbing permit and final inspection through your city building department

Electric, gas, tankless or heat pump?

Most Broward homes and nearly all condos use electric tank water heaters, because many neighborhoods were built without natural gas lines. Replacing like-for-like is the fastest and least expensive option.

Tankless units save space and provide endless hot water, but electric tankless models often need an electrical panel upgrade. Heat pump (hybrid) water heaters cost more upfront but can cut water heating energy use substantially, and they work well in warm South Florida garages.