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If your hot water heater is at the end of its useful life and is giving you an unwelcome cold shock – or even worse a leak, your Seattle water heater experts can help you.

If you’re having issues with your hot water heater, call for a free estimate. We guarantee same-day service, if you call before noon. Call us 7 days a week: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. We recommend looking up the model number of your water heater before you call us. This will help us efficiently find you the best replacement. If you don’t know where to look, here is a helpful starting point.

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SAME-DAY SERVICE IF YOU CALL BY NOON, OR WE'LL GIVE YOU $50 OFF.

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Seattle Water Heater codes & Permits

You may be wondering, “Do I need a permit to replace my water heater in Seattle?”

Currently, in Seattle and unincorporated King County, a permit is NOT required for an installation. However, most communities in Washington state do require a permit for the installation of a hot water heater. If needed, we can pull the permit for you, and it will not slow down any work on our end.

Every few years, Seattle water heater codes change to adopt new installation and safety measures. While intended to increase your overall home safety, these code requirements can result in extra installation charges.

While you may not need a permit in Seattle, your technician will still install everything to code. That’s because water heaters cause more property damage than any other home appliance. And if the unit is not installed to code by a licensed professional and causes damage, your home insurance could reject any claims.

Your expert technician will go over an item-by-item checklist of all applicable safety codes needed for your installation prior to any work being completed, or cost to you.

We try to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, but your local installer will be able to answer any specific question you may have.

Local Water Heater & Plumbing Codes – Seattle, WA

Water Heater Codes Currently Enforced in Seattle

  • The following are safety regulations that we have found are typically enforced in Seattle, at the moment. We go to great lengths to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, but please consult your installation professional, whose knowledge will be in-depth and definitely current.

    Expansion Tanks – An expansion tank is required if a plumbing system is closed – this means the backflow, which normally runs between the house and the city water supply, is blocked. However, when water is heated, it starts to expand, which causes a rise in water pressure. The increased pressure must dissipate. If there is nowhere for the pressure to go, it places undue stress and strain on your water heater and your home’s plumbing system. Increased pressure will shorten the life of your water heater. However, expansion tanks provide relief from this excess water pressure and protect your home. Seattle inspectors almost always enforce this code.

    Approved Location – One of the dangers of gas water heaters is they can emit carbon monoxide (CO). This dangerous byproduct can cause sickness and can even be fatal. It is illegal to put in a gas water heater in a small, frequently used space such as a bedroom or bathroom closet. The only exception to this code is a direct vent style (or power-direct vent) water heater. Local inspectors are very strict in enforcing this rule.

    Earthquake Straps – As you probably know, the state of Washington is at risk of earthquakes due to its geographic location, so you must keep your water heater secured by placing straps on both the top and bottom third of the heater. The Seattle plumbing inspectors will be sure to check your water heater is secured with earthquake straps.

    Venting – As gas water heaters create CO as they operate, the proper installation of venting is crucial for safety. Our licensed, professional installers pay special attention to this. These vents should be made of the proper material and keep specific clearances from combustible materials. Again, Seattle inspectors will check to make sure your water heater is properly vented.

    Pressure Regulating Valve – Devices that regulate pressure play an important role in preventing damage to your water heater and your plumbing. This is particularly the case if the pressure in your house is 80 PSI or higher. When we work with you, we take care to measure your PSI carefully and will let you know whether or not your plumbing situation requires a pressure regulator.

    Pans & Drains – Water damage is always a concern with a leaky water heater, especially when the tank is located inside or in an area where damage can occur. Inspectors in Seattle will enforce you put a pan, linked to a drain line, under your heater where damage can occur.

    Bonding – When your plumbing and your electrical wires are side by side, which is the case in many homes, there is a risk deteriorating wires can cause your pipes to become energized. This is extremely dangerous, so safety inspectors insist that you ground your pipes for both water and gas. You can do this easily with 6 AWG wire and clamps

    Dedicated Water Shut Off – On occasion, you might need to turn off your water heater without compromising your household’s access to running water (like to drain sediment from the tank). You can achieve this by dedicating one shut off to your water heater. Seattle inspectors see this as imperative and will insist on its inclusion.

Seattle Water heater Installations

With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments and townhouses around Seattle. All our skilled-technicians are background-checked, thoroughly experienced and trained to safely and quickly install your new water heater.

Whether you are stepping up to a tankless water heater, have questions about retrofitting gas lines or anything else water heater-related, our skilled technicians can answer any of your questions and, if you call by noon, install your hot water heater the same day you call us.

Most importantly, our technicians are local to the area, which means they are up-to-date on all local plumbing codes, safety regulations and regional installation trends.

We install Rheem water heaters, and are an official service provider for Seattle.

We look forward to helping you in Seattle. Please keep in mind, while we can quote you a starting price over the phone, we are not able to give a final price until a technician is at your home and can see your unique setup. If you’re happy with the final price, your technician will get to work immediately. But due to this uncertainty, our appointments are no cost and no obligation.

Give us a call or fill out the form below to receive more information about a Seattle water heater installation.

Seattle Water Heater repair

Water heaters are constantly operating, heating and storing hot water for your use. They’re built to last, but if yours starts leaking or you’re out of hot water, you may need to have your water heater repaired.

Typically, a water heater comes with a warranty anywhere from 5-15 years on parts. For this reason, if you start experiencing issues, you should find the model & serial numbers of your water heater to find out if it is still under warranty. Our service technicians are local to Seattle and are familiar with most regional water heater applications, brands and models.

It’s important to note, if your water heater is more than 10 years old, it’s probably nearing its last legs. Considering the cost of labor, rather than repairing it, a more prudent financial choice might be to just replace the unit.

In Seattle, common water heater repairs and maintenance include:

    • Replace the thermocouple – Sometimes a fix is as simple as one small part. This is often the case when a water heater isn’t heating water; typically it just needs a new thermocouple, which allows the heater to take in gas.

 

    • Replace the anode rod – Over time, the minerals in your water and pressure in your tank will cause corrosion of your water heater. Anode rods prevent tank corrosion because they attract the corrosive elements, keeping them away from the storage tank. The installation of dual anode rods, or a replacement can extend the life of your heater.

 

    • Pilot light – This simple mechanism is also responsible for lots of water heater repairs. Sometimes the light can simply go out and just needs to be re-lit. Other times, the assembly has failed, and must be replaced.

 

  • Drain storage tank – Some newer water heaters have self-cleaning tanks, however, older ones need to be manually drained to prevent a sediment build-up. If you fail to drain the sediment, eventually the mineral deposits will collect and shorten the useful life of your water heater.

 

Rebates and Specials

Fast Water Heater Company frequently partners with utility companies around Seattle to offer savings on more energy efficient water heating solutions, in the form of rebates.

These rebates are great because the water heaters utilize energy more efficiently, and save you money as a result.

Check below for water heater specials and rebates in Seattle:

 

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Water Heater Rebates

  • Converting to a Natural Gas Water Heater: PSE offers a rebate of $950 to convert from an electric to a natural gas water heater.
    • The new gas water heater must have an efficiency rating of .67 or higher.
  • Tier 1 Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heaters: PSE offers a $500 rebate on a Tier 1 Energy Star heat pump water heater
  • Tier 2 Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heaters: PSE offers an $800 rebate on a Tier 2 and Tier 3 Energy Star heat pump water heater (GE/Rheem)*

*Must be installed outside a conditioned living space, such as in a garage, attic or crawlspace

Learn more about PSE Water Heater Rebates. See a list of qualifying heat pump water heaters.

 

Cascade Natural Gas

  • Condensing High-Efficiency Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater: Cascade Natural Gas offers a $150 rebate on condensing natural gas tankless water heaters with an efficiency rating of .91 or more.
  • Storage Tank High-Efficiency Natural Gas Water Heater: Cascade Natural Gas offers a $45 rebate on gas water heaters with an efficiency rating of .67 or more.

*Only available for Washington customers with Cascade Natural Gas on rate schedule 503.

Learn more about Cascade Natural Gas Rebates.

 

Seattle City Light Water Heater Rebates

  • Heat Pump Water Heater: Seattle City Light offers a $500 rebate when you buy a qualified heat pump water heater

Learn more about Seattle City Light Energy Rebates

Contact your local rep now!