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Buying a New Water Heater in South Florida
Compare tank and tankless, gas and electric, then let one Florida-licensed team install it right. Free in-home estimate.
Ready to buy a new water heater? Start with the right choice, not just the closest one in stock.
A water heater is a 10 to 20 year decision, so the unit you pick shapes your utility bills, your hot-water comfort, and how much floor space you get back for the next decade. Total Repair Pros has helped South Florida homeowners choose and install water heaters since 1970. We walk you through tank versus tankless, gas versus electric, and the right size for your household, then install it with our own in-house crew: licensed plumbers, electricians on staff for the installs that need them, and permits filed by us before the truck rolls.
Tank or Tankless? Start Here
Almost every buying decision starts with this fork. Both deliver plenty of hot water when they are sized correctly. They differ in upfront cost, lifespan, operating cost, and how much space they take. Here is the short version.
A tank is the right buy when
- You want the lowest upfront cost on a like-for-like replacement
- Your household hot-water demand is steady and predictable
- You have room for a standard 40 to 50 gallon unit
- You are not planning a kitchen, bath, or laundry expansion
- You prefer a simple, proven design with familiar parts
Tankless is the right buy when
- You want endless hot water for back-to-back showers
- You want to reclaim 10 to 20 square feet of floor or closet space
- You plan to stay in the home long enough to enjoy the longer lifespan
- You want a longer service life (15 to 20 years with descaling)
- Your household is three or more people
Tank vs tankless at a glance
| Tank | Tankless | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Lifespan | 8 to 12 years | 15 to 20 years with annual descaling |
| Hot water supply | Limited to tank size, can run out during heavy use | Endless and on demand when sized correctly |
| Space | Floor or closet unit, usually 40 to 50 gallons | Wall-mounted, frees up 10 to 20 square feet |
| Operating cost | Higher, loses heat while sitting idle | Lower, only heats water when you use it |
| Best household size | 1 to 3 people with steady demand | 3 or more people, back-to-back showers |
| Maintenance | Annual flush | Annual descaling, required for warranty |
General guidance for South Florida homes. We size and quote every install to your specific home.
Still weighing it? Our tank vs tankless water heater guide compares lifespan, comfort, and fit for a South Florida home, or call us at (954) 900-6767 and we will talk it through in five minutes. For an independent overview, the U.S. Department of Energy’s guide to selecting a new water heater breaks down fuel type, efficiency, and sizing.
The Four Water Heater Types We Install Most
Once you have narrowed tank versus tankless, the next question is gas versus electric. That usually comes down to what utility lines your home already has. Here is a plain-English guide to the four systems South Florida homeowners buy most, and who each one fits.
Electric Tank Water Heaters
Best for: homes without a gas line, or homes upgrading from an older electric tank.
Two heating elements inside the tank heat the water. Available in 30, 40, 50, 65, and 80 gallon sizes. No combustion, no venting required. Needs a dedicated 240V circuit, sized to the tank capacity. If the existing circuit is undersized or the panel is full, the electrical work happens at the same time as the install.
- Lower upfront cost than gas (no gas line, no venting)
- Available in larger capacities (up to 80 gallons)
- No combustion safety concerns
- Simpler maintenance
- Higher operating cost than gas in most FL utility markets
- Slower recovery rate than gas
- Needs a dedicated 240V circuit
- Older panels may need an upgrade to handle the load
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Best for: homes without a gas line that want tankless benefits, or point-of-use applications in additions and ADUs.
The same on-demand tankless concept, powered by high-amperage electric resistance. Most whole-home electric tankless units pull a large electrical load, meaning multiple dedicated 240V circuits and often a panel upgrade. The unit itself is compact and wall-mounted. Sized in GPM by the water temperature rise needed.
- No gas line required
- Compact wall-mount form factor
- Endless hot water when sized properly
- Long service life with light maintenance
- Requires major electrical capacity (typically 80 to 160 amps dedicated)
- Panel upgrade common for South Florida homes built pre-2000
- Higher operating cost than gas tankless
- Cold incoming water in winter reduces flow rate
Gas Tank Water Heaters
Best for: homes with existing natural gas or propane service and 40 to 50 gallons of daily hot water demand.
A gas burner under the tank heats water and holds it at temperature. Simple, proven design that has been the South Florida standard for decades. Most common sizes are 40 and 50 gallons. Vented through a metal flue (atmospheric vent) or a side wall (power vent).
- Lowest upfront cost when a gas line already exists
- Fast recovery rate (good for back-to-back showers)
- Works in a power outage if it has a standing pilot
- Familiar parts and simple maintenance
- Shortest lifespan (8 to 12 years typically)
- Requires venting (atmospheric or power vent)
- Standby heat loss adds to gas bills
- Tank leak risk increases past year 10
Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Best for: homes with existing gas service that want endless hot water, longer equipment life, and floor or closet space back.
A wall-mounted unit heats water on demand as it flows through. No tank, no standby losses, no waiting for a tank to recover. Common brands include Rinnai, Navien, Noritz, Rheem, and Bosch. Sized in gallons-per-minute (GPM) based on how many fixtures might run at once. Often requires gas line resizing and a dedicated vent.
- Endless hot water when sized properly
- 15 to 20 year service life with descaling
- Frees up 10 to 20 sq ft of floor or closet space
- Lower operating cost than a gas tank
- Higher upfront cost
- Often needs gas line resizing
- Needs a dedicated vent (concentric or PVC for condensing)
- Annual descaling is required for the warranty
When your new unit needs electrical work, we already have an electrician on staff
Some water heater installs are purely plumbing: a like-for-like gas tank swap, for example, usually involves no electrical work beyond reusing the existing circuit. Other installs are different. An electric tankless conversion can need two or three new dedicated 240V circuits and sometimes a panel upgrade. A switch from gas tank to electric tank means a new dedicated circuit too.
Total holds in-house Florida plumbing (CFC1432410) and electrical (EC0001244) certifications. When your new water heater needs electrical work, our own crew handles it on the same job, on the same permit, with one warranty. Most plumbing companies subcontract that to a separate electrician, which means two trucks, two scheduling calls, and two warranties.
Getting the Size Right
Buying the wrong size is the most common water heater mistake. Too small and you run out of hot water mid-shower. Too big and you pay to heat water you never use. Sizing is part of every free estimate, and here is what we look at.
For a tank, we look at
- Number of people in the home
- Number of bathrooms and simultaneous demand
- Peak-hour usage (the busiest morning or evening stretch)
- Tub sizes and any high-flow fixtures
For tankless, we size by
- Flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM) at peak use
- How many fixtures may run at the same time
- Incoming water temperature and the rise needed
- Gas supply or electrical capacity available
You do not have to figure this out on your own. Book a free in-home estimate and we will measure your setup, confirm the right capacity, and put it in writing before you decide.
Brands we install
We install trusted tank and tankless brands and register the manufacturer warranty on your behalf. If you have a brand preference, tell us. If you don’t, we will recommend the best fit for your home and budget.
Why South Florida buys water heaters from Total
55 years in South Florida
Founded 1970. We have installed water heaters in this market through every code change, brand transition, and hurricane season since the early 70s.
Honest sizing, no upsell
We recommend the unit that fits your home and budget, not the biggest ticket on the truck. You get the reasoning in writing.
Financing that fits
Same-day approval for qualified buyers, so a new system doesn’t have to wait for the perfect month.
One company, no subs
Plumbing and (when needed) electrical work happen under one company, one permit, one warranty. We don’t subcontract.
New Water Heater FAQ
How do I choose between a tank and a tankless water heater?
Start with how you live in the home. If you want the lowest upfront cost and your hot-water demand is steady, a tank is usually the right buy. If you want endless hot water, a longer lifespan, and your floor or closet space back, tankless is worth the higher upfront cost, especially for households of three or more. Read the tank vs tankless guide linked above, or call us and we will match it to your home in five minutes.
What size water heater do I need?
For a tank, size comes from your household size, number of bathrooms, and peak-hour hot-water use. For tankless, it comes from flow rate in gallons per minute and how many fixtures may run at once. Sizing is part of every free in-home estimate, so you never have to guess. Too small means cold showers and too big means paying to heat water you don’t use.
How long does a new water heater last in South Florida?
A standard tank typically lasts 8 to 12 years here. A tankless unit runs 15 to 20 years with annual descaling. South Florida’s harder water and humid climate sit on the shorter end of those ranges without regular maintenance, which is one reason many buyers choose tankless for the longer service life.
Do you offer financing on a new water heater?
Yes. We offer financing with same-day approval for qualified buyers on tank replacements, tankless conversions, and any panel upgrade the install requires. Ask about options when you book your free estimate or call (954) 900-6767.
How long does a water heater installation take?
A standard 40 or 50 gallon tank swap is often finished the same day. Tankless installs and any job that needs new circuits or a panel upgrade are typically scheduled for the next day so we can pull the permit and verify the load calculation. We will give you a clear timeline as part of your estimate.
Do you remove the old unit and handle the permit?
Yes. We haul away your old water heater and file the permit with your city building department when the job requires one. As the homeowner, you sign the permit and are present for the final inspection. We never ask you to chase the city.
Do you handle electrical work if my new unit needs it?
Yes, when the install requires it. Many installs, like a like-for-like gas tank swap or most electric tank replacements on existing circuits, need no new electrical work. Some do, such as an electric tankless conversion or a switch from gas to electric. When electrical work is needed, our own crew handles it under our Florida electrical certification (EC0001244), on the same permit, with one warranty. We don’t subcontract.
What brands of water heaters do you install?
Trusted tank and tankless brands including Rheem, Bradford White, AO Smith, Rinnai, Navien, Noritz, Bosch, Stiebel Eltron, EcoSmart, State, Whirlpool, and Reliance. If you have a brand preference we will honor it. If not, we will recommend the best fit for your home and budget and register the manufacturer warranty for you.
Do you offer a warranty on a new water heater install?
Yes. Every new unit is covered by the manufacturer’s parts and tank warranty, which we register on your behalf, plus a written workmanship warranty on the installation itself. If something we installed fails, we come back.
Can you install a tankless water heater in my existing home?
In most cases, yes. Gas tankless usually needs gas line resizing and a dedicated vent, and electric tankless needs significant electrical capacity that may call for a panel upgrade. We confirm what your home can support during the free estimate and give you a straight answer before you commit.
Areas We Service
New water heater installation across Miami-Dade, Broward, and South Palm Beach County. Click any city page to learn more about our services within the area.
Miami-Dade County
- Aventura
- Bal Harbour
- Coral Gables
- Cutler Bay
- Doral
- Hialeah
- Homestead
- Kendall
- Miami
- Miami Beach
- Miami Gardens
- Miami Lakes
- North Miami
- North Miami Beach
- Pinecrest
- Sunny Isles Beach
- Surfside
Broward County
- Coconut Creek
- Cooper City
- Coral Springs
- Davie
- Deerfield Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hallandale Beach
- Hollywood
- Margate
- Miramar
- Pembroke Pines
- Plantation
- Pompano Beach
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
- Weston
South Palm Beach County
Ready to price out a new water heater?
Free in-home estimate, honest sizing, and financing for qualified buyers. No pressure.