Pick the fuel before you pick the model
The biggest decision is whether to keep your current fuel. Gas heaters recover fast and cost less per gallon in most homes. Electric tanks are simpler to install and need no vent. Heat pump hybrids use far less electricity but need space and warmth.
Changing fuel changes the job. Gas to electric means a new 240-volt circuit and removing the flue. Electric to gas means a gas line, a vent and combustion air. Neither is a one-hour swap, which is why we plan them instead of rushing.
Fuel and style compared for a Herriman home
| Option | Needs from the house | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas tank | Gas line with a shutoff and sediment trap, a vent path, combustion air | Fast recovery, low running cost, atmospheric-vent models keep working in an outage | Vent condition, carbon monoxide risk if draft fails, scale on the burner floor |
| Electric tank | A dedicated 240-volt circuit, space only | No vent, simple install, low upfront cost | Slower recovery, higher energy cost, element wear in hard water |
| Heat pump hybrid | A 240-volt circuit, open air volume, a condensate drain | Uses a fraction of the electricity of a standard electric tank | Taller unit, fan noise, cools the room, needs clearance and a drain |
| Gas tankless | Larger gas line, stainless or approved vent, condensate drain, gas diagram for the city | Endless hot water, small footprint | Higher install cost, yearly flush in hard water, minimum flow to fire |
For a deeper look at the last row, read our tankless water heater page. Most households choosing between these four land on a gas or electric tank.
Sizing a tank by first-hour rating
The gallon number on the front is only part of the story. The first-hour rating tells you how much hot water the heater delivers in its first hour of heavy use. That number matters more than the tank volume.
Count your peak morning. Two showers, a dishwasher cycle and a laundry load can total more than a 40-gallon tank delivers. Large soaking tubs and rain showerheads raise the draw sharply. We run the numbers with you, then recommend a size that does not leave the last person cold.
Townhomes, closets and tight spaces
The city says 41 percent of Herriman homes are townhomes or apartments, and many of those put the heater in a utility closet. A closet changes the job. Gas units need combustion air through louvers or ducts, and a tall hybrid unit may not fit under the shelf.
Measure before you shop. Note the closet width, the height to the ceiling, the distance to the nearest floor drain and where the panel sits. Send us those numbers on the call and we can often rule options in or out before a visit.
What a code-compliant install includes
Skipping any of these is how heaters fail early or fail inspection.
- A new temperature and pressure relief valve with a full-size discharge tube that ends in a visible, safe spot.
- An expansion tank on the cold line, pre-charged to match your static pressure.
- A drain pan with a drain line where a leak could damage finished space below.
- New braided connectors or copper with dielectric fittings between dissimilar metals.
- On gas, a sediment trap (drip leg), a shutoff within reach, leak-tested joints and a vent that pulls draft.
- Working shutoffs on the cold line so the next repair does not require closing the whole house.
- A carbon monoxide alarm check in the home when a gas appliance is involved.
Older installs often lack three or four of these. We bring them up to current practice as part of the new install.
Ready to plan your install? Call and describe the heater you have now.
Call (385) 488-1892Permits and inspections in Herriman
The city says replacing or adding a water heater needs a permit, while repair and maintenance of existing systems does not. A planned install gives us time to file the permit before the unit goes in. The city also requires a gas diagram for tankless heaters and any newly added gas appliance.
After the work, an inspection is requested from the city on a weekday. The city asks for at least one business day of notice, so your install schedule should leave room. Work without a permit can double the fee and give an insurer a reason to deny a claim.
The state adopts the 2024 International Plumbing Code, and permit scope varies by project. Ask the Herriman building department if you are moving the heater or adding lines.
Heat pump water heaters, honestly
A hybrid heat pump unit pulls heat from the air around it and moves it into the tank. It can use roughly a third of the electricity of a standard electric tank. That is a real saving in an all-electric home.
It also cools and dehumidifies the room, makes fan noise, and needs open air space and a condensate drain. In a cold unconditioned garage it falls back on its electric elements and loses much of the benefit. In a tight closet it starves for air.
Ask your electric and gas utilities whether any rebate applies, since programs change. We do not promise one.
Four installs we plan carefully
Some jobs are not a swap at all.
Gas to electric or hybrid
Needs a new circuit, a capped gas line and removal of the flue. A panel with no spare breaker space may need an electrician first.
Electric to gas
Needs a gas line sized for the appliance, a vent path and combustion air. In a closet, the door may need louvers.
Relocation
Moving a heater from a closet to a garage wall means new water lines, a new vent and often a new drain. Price it as a project.
New construction
We coordinate with the builder on rough-in locations, venting and circuit size so the heater drops in cleanly.
What a scheduled install looks like
Phone intake
You describe the home, the current heater and the goal. We flag anything that needs a site visit.
Site check
We confirm gas line size, circuit capacity, vent path, clearances and the drain location.
Written plan
You get a clear price, the equipment chosen and the permit scope before work starts.
Install day
Drain, remove, set, connect, test, then clean up and haul away the old tank.
Inspection and walkthrough
We schedule the city inspection and show you the shutoffs, the relief valve and the thermostat.
What we will not do
We do not install a heater that the available space, vent or electrical service cannot support. We also do not put a heat pump unit in a tight, unheated closet just to meet a request.
If your panel needs an upgrade or a new circuit run, the electrical portion is a separate licensed trade. We will coordinate where we can and say when it is outside our scope.
What shapes the price of a new install
A planned install has more variables than an emergency swap, which is why we quote after hearing the details.
- Equipment type. Standard tank, hybrid heat pump and tankless sit in clearly separate price bands.
- Fuel change. A new gas line, a new circuit or a vent removal adds labor and materials beyond the heater.
- Existing condition. Corroded pipe, missing shutoffs or an old vent system may need replacement.
- Location and access. Attics, crawlspaces and tight closets lengthen the job.
- Permit and extras. Permit fee, expansion tank, drain pan, haul-away and any code upgrades appear as separate lines.
A planned install is a home improvement, so insurance does not pay for it. If a failed old heater caused water damage, the damage may be covered while the replacement unit is not. Ask your insurer about any open claim before the old tank is removed.
Planning an install? Call (385) 488-1892 with your current heater type and where it sits, and you will get a clear price before work starts.
Installation questions answered
Do I need a permit to install a water heater in Herriman?
The city's building page says replacing or adding a water heater requires a permit, and a gas diagram is required for tankless units. Ask the Herriman building department about unusual scope such as relocating the heater.
How long does a standard install take?
A same-fuel tank swap in an accessible spot is usually a half-day job. Fuel changes, relocations and tankless installs take longer and sometimes span two visits.
What is an expansion tank and do I need one?
It is a small pressurized tank on the cold line that absorbs the extra volume of heated water. In a closed system with a check valve or pressure reducer, you need one. Without it, the relief valve may drip and the tank may wear early.
Is a heat pump water heater worth it?
In an all-electric home with a warm, open space and a spare condensate drain, it can cut hot water electricity use by roughly two thirds. In a cold garage or a closet, savings shrink.
We will tell you which category your home falls in before you spend more.
Can you move my water heater to a different spot?
Yes, as a planned project. Relocation changes water lines, venting, drain location and sometimes permit scope. It is priced separately from a straight replacement.
Do you remove the old tank?
Yes. The old tank is drained, disconnected and hauled away as part of the job. Haul-away appears on your quote.
What if my tank is already leaking?
A leaking tank is an emergency, not a planned install. See emergency water heater replacement or call and we will triage by phone. For parts failures that may not need a new heater, check water heater repair.
Not sure which fuel or size fits your home? Call and talk it through.
Call (385) 488-1892Sources and standards
The standards and local rules behind this service page are listed below. Rules and fees change, so read the current version before you rely on them.