Northern Virginia Water Heater Installation

Professional Water Heater Installation by Northern Virginia Experts

At HVAC & Plumbing Unlimited, we provide professional installations and fast reliable repairs for gas and electric water heaters in Northern Virginia. With more than 14 years in business, we have served the needs of thousands of local customers in Fairfax, Alexandria, Lorton, Mclean, Reston, Springfield, Great Falls, Woodbridge and everywhere else in Northern VA. We continue to strive for perfection on every job, from simple repairs to new water heater installations and replacements.

How to Choose Your New Water Heater: Gas vs. Electric

When purchasing a new water heater, the first decision you will need to make is the type of fuel source you prefer to heat your water. The main options are gas and electric. The availability of fuel, price, efficiency, and personal preferences should be considered when selecting the best model. There are advantages to each type of system.

Our Northern Virginia plumbers are skilled at installations and replacement to maximize performance and energy efficiency.

If you want to replace your water heater with a more reliable source of hot water and a more environmentally friendly unit, we can explain the available options and provide a free estimate.

Keeping Your Water Heater Well-Maintained

Water heaters are easy to forget about until they stop working. Still, like most of your home’s comfort systems, a water heater can benefit from regular maintenance to extend its life span and make sure it is working as efficiently as it can. HVAC & Plumbing Unlimited offers water heater maintenance services to check the system inside and out and ensure it is working properly. During this appointment, we will also drain and flush the tank to remove built-up sediment. We recommend having a maintenance check every year.

Schedule maintenance for your water heater by calling our team at (703) 337-4892.

Northern Virginia Water Heater Replacement

Water heaters have an expected lifespan of about 15 years. When yours is getting close to that, you’re going to want to consider replacing it. Our team can help. We offer water heater replacement services for tank and tankless models so that you can have a working water heater in no time.

Don’t let a cold shower shock you in the morning. When water heater repair doesn’t suffice, contact us for water heater replacement service.

HVAC Plumbing & Unlimited also provides water heater repair and other plumbing services in Springfield, Alexandria, Fairfax, and surrounding areas in Northern Virginia.

Water Heater Service FAQs

Should I replace my water heater or schedule a repair?
Deciding between repair and replacement depends on the age of your water heater, the type of failure, and the cost of the repair. In Arlington and other inner-Beltway communities, many homes still have older water heaters that are near the end of their lifespan. If your unit is 8–12 years old and needs a major repair, replacement is often the more reliable and cost-effective long-term option.

What are the most common water heater problems homeowners experience?
One of the most common problems is not having enough hot water to meet household demand. In many post-war and mid-century Arlington homes, we frequently find undersized 30–40 gallon tanks that can’t keep up with modern usage. Sediment buildup from Northern Virginia’s moderately hard water can also reduce efficiency, cause noise, and shorten the lifespan of the unit.

Are gas or electric water heaters more affordable to run in Northern Virginia?
Operating costs depend on local utility rates, but in Northern Virginia, gas water heaters are often less expensive to run than traditional electric tank models. Many Arlington neighborhoods use a mix of gas and electric water heaters depending on when the home was built and how local infrastructure was developed. We help homeowners compare total ownership costs based on fuel type, usage needs, and installation requirements.

How long does a new water heater installation usually take?
Most standard water heater installations can be completed in a few hours. Replacing an existing tank with a similar model is usually straightforward, while tankless installations or fuel-type conversions may take longer if venting, gas lines, or electrical upgrades are needed. Older Arlington homes often require these updates to meet current code.

How do I know what size water heater my home needs?
Water heater sizing depends on household size, usage patterns, and the number of bathrooms and appliances in your home. Many Arlington homes were originally built with smaller plumbing systems and lower hot water demand in mind. Our technicians calculate the correct tank size or tankless capacity based on real daily usage to prevent running out of hot water.

What is the difference between a tank and a tankless water heater?
Tank water heaters store a set amount of hot water and are typically less expensive to install. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand and provide continuous hot water. In Arlington condos and townhomes, especially in areas like Clarendon and Ballston, compact tank models or tankless systems are often the best space-saving option.

Should I replace my water heater or schedule a repair?
Deciding between repair and replacement depends on the age of your water heater, the type of failure, and the cost of the repair. In Northern Virginia, many homes still have older water heaters that are near the end of their lifespan. If your unit is 8–12 years old and needs a major repair, replacement is often the more reliable and cost-effective long-term option.

What are the most common water heater problems homeowners experience?
One of the most common problems is not having enough hot water to meet household demand. Many homes in Northern Virginia have undersized water heaters that can’t keep up with modern usage. Sediment buildup from moderately hard water can also reduce efficiency, cause noise, and shorten the lifespan of the unit.

Are gas or electric water heaters more affordable to run in Northern Virginia?
Operating costs depend on local utility rates, but in Northern Virginia, gas water heaters are often less expensive to run than traditional electric tank models. Some neighborhoods use a mix of gas and electric water heaters depending on when the home was built and how local infrastructure was developed. We help homeowners compare total ownership costs based on fuel type, usage needs, and installation requirements.

How long does a new water heater installation usually take?
Most standard water heater installations can be completed in a few hours. Replacing an existing tank with a similar model is usually straightforward, while tankless installations or fuel-type conversions may take longer if venting, gas lines, or electrical upgrades are needed. Older homes in Northern Virginia often require these updates to meet current code.

How do I know what size water heater my home needs?
Water heater sizing depends on household size, usage patterns, and the number of bathrooms and appliances in your home. Many Northern Virginia homes were originally built with smaller plumbing systems and lower hot water demand in mind. Our technicians calculate the correct tank size or tankless capacity based on real daily usage to prevent running out of hot water.

What is the difference between a tank and a tankless water heater?
Tank water heaters store a set amount of hot water and are typically less expensive to install. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand and provide continuous hot water. In Northern Virginia homes with limited space, compact tank models or tankless systems are often the best space-saving option.

Do older homes in Northern Virginia need upgrades when installing a new water heater?
Often, yes. Many older homes in Northern Virginia require venting, expansion tanks, gas line, or electrical upgrades to meet current building codes when a new water heater is installed. HVAC & Plumbing Unlimited handles these updates and ensures your installation is fully code-compliant.

What areas do you serve for water heater installation?
We provide professional water heater installation throughout Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Lorton, Woodbridge, Reston, and surrounding communities.