So you have decided to buy a hot water tank - but with so many companies selling them, how do you know if you are getting the right one?

Not all hot water tanks are created equal and the information you need for knowing the difference isn't easily available to the general public. The following information will help you in assessing which tank will be a good fit for your home and your budget.

There are two different categories that traditional hot water tanks fall into for buying:

Consumer purchase tanks - available in hardware stores

Contractor pro-series tanks – available only through licensed plumbing companies

The hot water tanks traditionally available through hardware stores are quite different from the pro-series tanks available through licensed & certified plumbing companies. The first difference has more to do with the tank itself. The pro-series tanks are typically heavier made of thicker materials and are more ruggedly designed. The heavier materials give these tanks more durability, better heat recovery time, and typically use less energy due to their better insulation and design.

Another difference is the price. The consumer purchase tanks available in stores are often cheaper because they are cheaply made overseas. The typical pro-series tank sold and installed here are manufactured right here in Canada. In addition, a benefit from buying a tank made in Canada is the availability of parts should they be required.

The last difference between consumer purchased tanks and contractor pro-series hot water tanks is in the installation itself. Stores do not install hot water tanks; they hire sub-contractors to install them for the store. You do not get to choose who will be installing your water heater, thus you are at the mercy of whoever the store uses.

When you buy from a licensed plumbing company, they provide and install the tank for you. In addition they offer their own company warranties on top of the manufacturer warranty. You know it is legally installed to meet the manufacturer specifications, the Ontario plumbing code, and TSSA safety standards for legal gas installation and venting if required.

Whether you decide to buy your own hot water tank at a hardware or you decide to buy one through a licensed and reputable plumbing company there are a few things to look for when buying or renting a hot water tank:

• What brand and model of hot water tank is being offered?
• Does the price include installation?
• Does the price include the mandatory in Ontario "mixing valve"?
• Does the installer offer any guarantees on their installation?
• Is the installer licensed to install these tanks? Using a handy man can potentially negate your home owners insurance policy if damage occurs due to the improperly installed water heater).
• Is the guaranty "pro-rated"? A pro-rated warranty no matter how long it is, will not cover the costs of replacing the tank (it usually excludes installation as well).
• Does the installer offer a maintenance plan for your hot water tank? The anode should be replaced every 3 years in the city, every 2 years in the country on well water.

The home improvement industry has seen many changes over the years, especially with the big box stores bringing in merchandise that doesn’t meet our specific construction codes in Ontario. In particular, some plumbing products are illegal for installation in Ontario. What is good for the US may not be good in our unique Canadian climate and not meet Ontario plumbing, heating, construction codes. You may have to pay a bit more up front to get the security and warranties you want, but in the long run it will save you money.

If you are looking for a hot water tank that is better for the environment (using less power and producing less greenhouse gas emissions) then you may want to consider these options.

High Efficiency Gas Water Heater – that can run approximately 4 to 5 times the purchase price of a standard gas hot water tank.

Gas Tankless Water Heating System – that can run approximately 2 to 4 times the purchase price of a standard gas hot water tank.

Geo-thermal – that can run 5 to 10 times the purchase price of a standard gas hot water tank.

Solar powered – that can run 5 to 10 times the price of a standard gas hot water tank.

Unfortunately, at this time there is no inexpensive way to get a higher efficiency rating without paying more up front for these top of the line water heating units. However it can be well worth the added expense in the long run. Eventually with dwindling resources and sky rocketing costs of energy, more companies will find ways for more consumers to afford these environmentally responsible choices.

I hope this information is helpful when you next consider the purchase a hot water tank.

Rob Wright heads Citadel Renovations in Ottawa and has helped many homeowners improve their homes. The projects have ranged from simple home repairs to extensive addition and/or rebuild renovations in various locations in Eastern Ontario. In addition, Citadel Renovations has supplied services to Home Depot customers. Rob has been active in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association for many years and has been the Renovation Council Chair in the past. Recently, Rob has presented seminars at the local home shows on various renovations subjects. For more information, visit CitadelRenovations.com .