Is 40 gallons the right size for your house?
Tank volume is only half the story. The number that matters is the first-hour rating on the yellow EnergyGuide label, which tells you how much hot water the heater can deliver in a busy hour. A 40 gallon gas tank usually recovers faster than a 40 gallon electric one, so the two can behave very differently at the same size.
As a rough fit, 40 gallons suits a household of about two or three people with one or two bathrooms. Add teenagers, a soaking tub, or back-to-back showers and the tank runs cold. In that case a larger tank or a tankless unit deserves a look.
| Heater type | What the install needs | Why the price moves |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | A dedicated 240-volt circuit and breaker | Wiring work if the circuit is undersized or far away |
| Atmospheric gas | A flue to the chimney or a vent pipe, gas connection | Chimney liner or vent condition decides the scope |
| Power vent gas | Plastic vent to a sidewall, power outlet for the fan | Vent run length and wall penetration |
| Heat pump electric | Air space, condensate drain, power | Equipment cost and room size |
What affects the price of a 40 gallon installation
These are the lines a fair quote should break out, so you can compare bids on the same footing.
Equipment tier
Tanks differ in warranty length, burner or element design, and efficiency. A longer warranty usually means a thicker tank lining and a better anode rod, and the price reflects it.
Fuel and venting
Switching from electric to gas, or from an atmospheric vent to a power vent, means new pipe, a gas connection, and a wall or roof penetration. A like-for-like swap is the cheapest path.
Expansion tank and safety valves
Where a pressure reducing valve or backflow preventer closes your plumbing system, an expansion tank is commonly needed, and a plumber checks your water pressure to decide. The temperature and pressure relief valve also needs a safe discharge pipe.
Old connections and access
Corroded shutoff valves, brittle flex connectors, or galvanized fittings are replaced while the pipes are open. Tight closets and stairs add labor.
Drain pan, permit and haul-away
A pan with a drain line protects finished floors when the heater sits above living space. Removal of the old tank and any permit handling are priced as well.
Rebates and utility programs change, so check them directly before you decide. Want your real number? Call (215) 714-6692.
A same-day install, step by step
- 1
Shut off fuel and water
Power or gas goes off first, then the cold supply, so the tank can cool and drain.
- 2
Drain and remove the old tank
A hose runs to a floor drain or outdoors. Tanks are heavy, so a second person or a dolly helps.
- 3
Set, connect, and vent
The new tank goes on the pan, new connectors and valves go on, and gas or electric hookups follow the maker's instructions.
- 4
Fill, purge, and test
The tank is filled with a hot tap open to push out air. After that the plumber checks for leaks, fires the burner or energizes the elements, and sets the temperature.
Tank failed overnight?
Call (215) 714-6692 for same-day water heater service when the schedule allows. Shut the water supply to the tank if you see pooling, and keep the area clear for us.
Reading the EnergyGuide label and the warranty
The yellow EnergyGuide label estimates yearly operating cost and lists the uniform energy factor, a standard efficiency score. A higher score costs more at purchase and less to run. Over a decade of daily showers, the running cost can outweigh the price difference between tiers.
Warranty terms vary widely, so read what they cover. Many tanks carry a six-year tank warranty while the parts coverage is shorter, and labor is often not included at all. If a manufacturer's warranty matters to you, ask the plumber to put the labor terms in writing.
Where the heater sits changes the job
A heater in an unfinished basement with a floor drain is the easiest case. A closet above finished rooms needs a drain pan piped to a safe spot, because a leak will go straight into the ceiling below. Attic installations add stairs, platform, and haul-out labor.
Clearance matters too. Gas tanks need space around the flue and combustion air, and electric tanks need room to reach the access panels. A plumber looks at these on site, so a photo of the area helps when you call.
Replace now or wait for the leak?
Signs the tank is near the end
Rust-colored hot water, a popping sound from sediment, moisture at the base, and a tank that is well past a decade old are all warnings. Many tanks last roughly 8 to 12 years, though water quality shifts that.
A planned replacement lets you pick the model, schedule the visit, and avoid a flooded floor. Our water heater replacement page explains how the process differs from a first-time installation.
Questions to settle before the install date
Ask your plumber
- Does the quote list the expansion tank, relief valve discharge pipe, and new shutoffs?
- Is the vent reusable, or does it need replacing?
- What is the tank's warranty, and what does it cover for labor?
- Who handles permit questions with the township?
- What gets hauled away?
Our water heater installation page lists what each visit includes. We also serve Maple Glen and Hatboro, so if your neighbors have had similar work done, ask what they saw in their quotes.
Water heaters, hard water and the township permit
Horsham Water & Sewer Authority describes its source water as ranging from about 200 to 350 mg/l as calcium carbonate, and recommends about 275 mg/l, or 16 grains per gallon, for softener setup. A tank in water that hard collects mineral sediment on the bottom and wears its anode rod. Ask for a drain valve you can reach, and ask when the anode rod should be checked.
The township lists plumbing fixtures, including water heaters, as permit work, and fines apply to work done before a permit. Code Enforcement is at 1025 Horsham Road, (215) 643-3131, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30. Inspections need 24 to 48 hours notice, so decide who calls it in and schedule the inspection around your install day.
If you are weighing a softener at the same time, it needs a permit too. Mention it when you call so one inspection can cover both.
Questions and answers
It depends on fuel type, venting, expansion tank needs, and access, so we do not post a number online. We give a clear price before work starts after seeing the old tank and its connections. Call (215) 714-6692.
A like-for-like swap is commonly done in a single visit. Changing fuel or venting takes longer. Same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows.
Often yes, when a pressure reducing valve or backflow preventer closes the system. Your plumber will test water pressure and tell you whether one belongs on your line.
Gas tanks recover faster and cost less to run where gas is piped, while electric avoids venting and is simpler to install. We can compare both for your house.
Yes, plan on it. The township's permit page names water heaters among the plumbing fixtures that require a permit, and Code Enforcement at (215) 643-3131 handles inspections with 24 to 48 hours notice. We can share the details of the work so you know what to tell them before the install date.
PFAS treatment happens at the authority's wells, not at your tank, and a water heater does not remove it. If you have questions, read the authority's water quality report or call the authority. A tank mainly cares about hardness and sediment, and the authority publishes hardness at about 200 to 350 mg/l, so a periodic drain and anode check is worth asking about.
Sources we checked
Local facts on this page come from these public pages. Plumbing work in Pennsylvania falls under the Uniform Construction Code, which adopts the International Plumbing Code (IPC) provisions, so ask Horsham Code Enforcement which edition applies before a permit is pulled. Rules and phone numbers change, so confirm with the office before you act.
- horshamwater-sewer.com/hardness Authority page
- horsham.org/10737/Permits Township page
- files.dep.state.pa.us/water/DrinkingWater/Perfluorinated%20Chemica... State agency