Water heater replacement worksheet

Current water heater snapshot

Item	Notes
Current type	Gas tank / electric tank / tankless / heat pump / indirect / other
Fuel or power source	Natural gas / propane / electric / other
Tank capacity or flow rating
Approximate age
Location	Basement / garage / closet / attic / utility room / other
Venting type if gas	Atmospheric / power vent / direct vent / unknown
Known problems	Leaking / rusty water / slow recovery / noise / age / code issue
Last maintenance
Emergency replacement needed?	Yes / no

Household demand notes

Question	Answer
Number of people in home
Bathrooms
Highest-demand fixtures	Large tub / multi-head shower / laundry / dishwasher / other
Simultaneous hot water use issues
Planned remodels or additions
Current utility concerns	High gas bill / high electric bill / running out of hot water / other

Replacement options to compare

Option	Pros to ask about	Tradeoffs to ask about	Quote notes
Standard tank	Familiar, lower upfront cost, simple replacement in many homes	Standby losses, tank footprint, finite hot water
Heat pump water heater	High efficiency, strong fit for many electric homes	Space, air temperature, condensate drain, noise, maintenance
Tankless gas	Continuous hot water, wall-mounted footprint	Gas line sizing, venting, flow limits, maintenance
Tankless electric	Compact, no combustion vent	Very high electrical demand in many homes

Installer handoff checklist

Ask each installer to confirm:

• Recommended size or capacity and why it fits the household.
• Whether the existing gas line, electrical circuit, venting, drain pan, expansion tank, and relief discharge piping are acceptable.
• Whether permits and inspections are included.
• Whether the quote includes removal and disposal of the old unit.
• Warranty length for the tank, heat exchanger, parts, and labor.
• Maintenance requirements, including filter cleaning for heat pump models and flushing or descaling where applicable.
• Rebates, tax credits, or utility programs that may apply.

Leak and failure warning log

Date	Symptom	Location	Immediate action	Professional follow-up
	Rust-colored water
	Water near tank
	Popping or rumbling
	Relief valve discharge
	No hot water

Bid comparison

Contractor	System type	Total installed price	Permit included	Warranty	Timeline	Notes

Red flags to slow down

• A quote that skips permit and inspection questions.
• A gas replacement that does not address venting and combustion air.
• A tankless quote that does not discuss gas line capacity or electrical requirements.
• A heat pump water heater quote that ignores installation space, condensate drainage, and air temperature.
• Any active leak near wiring, gas piping, or structural materials.