Choosing a water heater type for your house
The right unit depends on what is already in your basement and what you want out of it. A gas tank is the fastest to recover and the cheapest to run in many South Shore homes. An electric tank is simpler and fits houses without gas service. A heat pump unit uses less electricity but needs space and airflow.
| Type | Best fit | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Gas tank | Homes with gas and a working flue | Venting and combustion air |
| Electric tank | No gas service, short runs | Higher operating cost |
| Heat pump tank | Large basements, efficiency goals | Room volume and condensate drain |
| Tankless gas | Small footprint, high demand | Larger gas line and annual flushing |
| Indirect tank | Homes with a boiler | Boiler capacity and zone controls |
Tankless units are covered on the tankless water heater page. If your existing tank is leaking right now, skip ahead to emergency replacement and we will plan the upgrade after the water is back on.
Sizing without guessing
A tank that is too small runs out when two showers and a dishwasher overlap. A tank that is too large wastes fuel keeping extra water hot. Sizing comes from how many bathrooms you have, how many people live there and when they use hot water.
As a starting point, a household of two to three often does well with a 40-gallon tank. A family of four or five with multiple bathrooms usually looks at 50 to 75 gallons or a high-recovery unit. Ask the plumber to size it with you rather than copy the old tank.
Planning the location and the connections
- Clearance around the unit for service and venting
- A drain pan and discharge pipe from the relief valve to a safe location
- Correct vent size and slope for gas units
- A dedicated circuit of the right size for electric units
- An expansion tank when the water system is closed
- Dielectric or flexible connectors where pipe metals meet
Massachusetts law prohibits anyone but a licensed professional from installing, removing or repairing plumbing, and a water heater installation falls under that rule. The Hingham building department's posted rule is also direct that no water piping is to be installed on outside walls, no exceptions. That matters if you are moving a heater to a garage or an exterior wall.
How the permit and inspection work
Your plumber applies for the permit and pays the fee. Hingham's schedule effective January 29, 2024 lists the domestic water heater at $50 for plumbing and $50 for gas, and both rough and final inspections are mandatory. The plumber must be on the premises for the inspection.
Inspection scheduling is by phone to the Hingham building department on weekday mornings, and inspections happen on weekdays after 10 a.m. If you are in Cohasset, Weymouth, Norwell or Hull, the permit rules follow each town's own schedule, so we ask the local building department.
What a typical installation day includes
- 1
Site check
The plumber checks the vent, the gas line, the electrical supply and the floor drain.
- 2
Delivery and removal
The old unit is drained and removed, and the new one is brought to the location.
- 3
Connections
Water, fuel, vent or electrical, relief valve and pan drain are connected to code.
- 4
Test and inspection
The system is filled, purged, started and checked, and the inspection is scheduled.
What an installation costs
The unit is only part of the price. The work around it often decides the total.
What moves the price
- Unit type and sizeHeat pump and tankless units cost more than a basic tank.
- Fuel and venting changesMoving from atmospheric to power vent or adding a new gas line adds labor.
- Electrical workA new circuit or panel space may be needed for electric or heat pump models.
- Code itemsExpansion tank, pan, discharge pipe and straps are priced in.
- PermitsTown permit and inspection fees are included in the scope.
Insurance does not pay for a planned upgrade. Some utilities and the state's energy programs offer rebates on heat pump and high-efficiency models, so check current programs before you buy.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
Installing across Hingham, Cohasset, Weymouth, Norwell and Hull
The coastal blocks in Hull and in North Cohasset have salt air that corrodes steel flues and fittings faster than inland towns. Stainless or sealed-combustion venting may be worth asking about. In Norwell, where private wells are common, water chemistry can affect the anode rod and tank life, so we ask about your supply.
ZIP codes we install in include 02043, 02025, 02188, 02189, 02190, 02191, 02061 and 02045. Call the dispatch line to book a visit and we will plan the sizing with you.
According to the town's permit page, Hingham requires the plumber to be on the premises for every inspection, and work started without a permit costs double the fee plus $150.
Questions homeowners ask
A like-for-like tank swap often takes a few hours. A fuel change, a new vent or a tankless unit can take a day.
Yes. Massachusetts issues plumbing permits to licensed plumbers, and the licensed plumber doing the work applies for the permit and schedules the inspection.
It depends on bathrooms, household size and peak demand. We size it with you based on how hot water is used in your house.
It can be, if the room is large enough and has a floor drain for condensate. It also cools and dehumidifies the room.
Possibly, but venting, gas supply and water lines all change. Hingham's rule against water piping on outside walls also applies, so plan the route first.