Electric tank water heater installation in Pittsburgh
Electric tank water heaters are the simplest water heater you can own. No flame, no chimney, no gas line, no combustion air. Two heating elements in a steel tank, a thermostat, and a wire to the panel. They install cleanly, they work in nearly any room of the house, and a quality…
Electric tank water heaters are the simplest water heater you can own. No flame, no chimney, no gas line, no combustion air. Two heating elements in a steel tank, a thermostat, and a wire to the panel. They install cleanly, they work in nearly any room of the house, and a quality Rheem electric tank will give you 10 to 15 years of service in Pittsburgh.
Wahl installs electric tanks for homes without gas, finished basements where venting a gas tank is impractical, condos and townhomes with electric-only mechanical rooms, and remote locations within a house (like a third-floor laundry).
When an electric tank is the right choice
No gas service to the property. Common in some North Hills, South Hills, and Allegheny County edges. Electric is the only option without significant infrastructure investment.
Finished basement or interior closet with no chimney access. Venting a gas tank from an interior space takes a power-vent unit and a path to the sidewall. Sometimes electric is simpler and cheaper.
Backup unit for a second floor. When the main tank is two stories away and you don’t want to wait, a smaller electric tank near the master bath is sometimes the answer.
Rental unit / ADU / accessory dwelling. Smaller units, lower BTU demand, electric makes sense.
Heat-pump water heater isn’t a fit. If your install location doesn’t have the volume, the drain, or the electrical capacity for a heat pump water heater, a standard electric tank is the fallback.
When electric isn’t the best choice
If your home has natural gas, an electric tank will almost always cost more to operate than a comparable gas tank in Pittsburgh. PA electricity is moderately priced, but the kWh-to-BTU math doesn’t beat natural gas at current rates.
If you’re replacing an electric tank because the old one died, we’ll always show you the heat pump water heater (Rheem ProTerra) as an option, because for most Pittsburgh electric-only homes that’s a better long-term answer. But standard electric tank is still a fine choice when the install location doesn’t work for heat pump.
What we install
Rheem Performance Plus electric tanks in 40, 50, 65, and 80-gallon. Our standard recommendation for most jobs.
Rheem Marathon is the high-end option, with a non-metallic (composite) tank that doesn’t rust. Lifetime tank warranty. Significantly more expensive upfront, but the only electric tank you’ll ever buy. Strong fit for hard-water Pittsburgh homes.
Rheem ProTerra (heat pump electric) is always shown as the upgrade option, see the heat pump page.
Small mini-tanks (2.5, 4, 6-gallon) for under-sink and remote-fixture applications.
Sizing
Electric tanks recover slower than gas tanks (about half the rate), so we typically size them one tank size larger than the equivalent gas tank for the same household.
| Household | Bathrooms | Recommended electric size |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 1 | 40 to 50 gallon |
| 2 to 3 people | 1 or 2 | 50 gallon |
| 3 to 4 people | 2 | 50 to 65 gallon |
| 4 to 6 people | 2 to 3 | 65 to 80 gallon |
| 5+ people or big tubs | 3+ | 80 gallon or heat pump |
We refine the recommendation during the visit. A family of three with two big morning showers and a dishwasher running on a timer needs a bigger tank than a family of three with offset schedules.
What’s included in a Wahl electric tank install
- The Rheem tank (Performance Plus, Marathon, or as specified)
- New T&P relief valve and code-compliant discharge piping
- New safety pan (where applicable)
- New cold-water shutoff valve and dielectric unions
- Expansion tank if your home’s pressure system requires it
- Inspection of the existing 30-amp 240V circuit (or quote a new one if needed)
- Verification of grounding and bonding
- Pull the plumbing permit and coordinate inspection
- One-year maintenance tune-up
- One-year labor warranty
- Photos of the install
What it costs
We present exact pricing in your home after a free in-home estimate. Standard electric tank installs sit at the entry tier ($) on our water-heating relative-investment ladder. The Rheem Marathon (with its lifetime tank warranty) steps up to a higher tier ($$). A new dedicated circuit, if one isn’t in place, is quoted as a separate line.
Part of our process is presenting the numbers in person, on paper, with both standard and Wahl Club member rates shown side by side. No surprises on install day.
The credentials behind every install
- 1,500+ Google reviews at 4.8 stars and growing
- BBB A+ rated since 1980
- Rheem Pro Partner (top tier dealer)
- Mitsubishi Diamond Elite incl. City Multi commercial VRF
- Bosch exclusive cold-climate heat pump dealer
- Aprilaire authorized across full IAQ line
- RGF REME HALO + Calgon iWave air purification dealer
- Master plumber + Master HVAC on staff, PA licensed and insured
- Financing available through GoodLeap, Synchrony, Wells Fargo, EasyPay
- 24/7 emergency service across all systems
- Pittsburgh based, family owned since 1980
Frequently asked questions
How long does an electric tank last in Pittsburgh?
10 to 15 years for a standard Rheem Performance Plus. The Rheem Marathon’s composite tank is warrantied for lifetime ownership and routinely runs 25+ years.
Will it work during a power outage?
No. Electric tanks need power to heat. A standard gas tank with a standing pilot will keep working through an outage. If outages are a real concern, talk to us about gas or about a small backup tank.
How is the operating cost vs gas?
For a typical Pittsburgh family of four, a standard electric tank runs $550 to $650 per year in electricity. A comparable gas tank runs $230 to $320 per year in gas. Heat pump water heater runs $140 to $220 per year. Electric tank is the most expensive of the three to operate.
Why does the Marathon cost so much more?
The Marathon’s tank is composite (non-metallic) instead of steel. It can’t rust, can’t leak through the tank wall, and carries a lifetime tank warranty. It’s the closest thing to a “buy it once” water heater on the market. For a Pittsburgh forever-home with hard water, the math often works.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh require a plumbing permit on water heater installation. Wahl pulls the permit and handles the inspection.
Can I downsize to save money?
Be careful. Running out of hot water on a Saturday morning is a much worse experience than paying a slightly bigger electric bill. We’ll show you operating-cost differences between sizes during the visit so you can decide with real numbers.
What about a tankless electric instead?
For most Pittsburgh whole-home applications, no, see our tankless electric page. For point-of-use (under a single sink or in a remote fixture), sometimes yes. We’ll tell you when each makes sense.
Financing Available on Every Job
Same as cash promotions, low rate monthly payments, approval in minutes. Talk to your technician about what works for your budget.
GoodLeap
Low rate fixed monthly payments up to 15 years on qualifying HVAC and plumbing projects.
Synchrony
Same as cash promotions up to 18 months for buyers who pay the balance before the promo ends.
Wells Fargo
Traditional installment financing with longer repayment terms for larger comfort upgrades.
EasyPay
Alternative credit path for qualifying customers who need a non traditional approval.
Ready to schedule?
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and a 20 mile radius from our Carnegie Oakdale office. Same day appointments most weeks.