Free Estimates on Replacements
Water Heater Replacement & Installation in Roswell, GA
Tank, tankless and heat pump water heaters sized to your household and installed to Roswell's permit and inspection requirements. You get options and a clear price before install day.
- Free estimates
- City permit and inspection
- Old tank removal quoted up front
Replacement Checklist
Ask for the Certificate of Completion before final payment.
Water Heater Installation
Replacing a Water Heater the Right Way in Roswell
Swapping out a water heater means pulling the old unit and choosing a new one sized to how your household uses hot water. The new unit is then connected to the gas, electrical, water and venting systems to code. In Roswell, it also means a City permit and inspection. The City's Community Development department states plainly that water heaters fall under the plumbing and gas codes and require permits and inspections, and that state licensing applies when a tradesperson does the job.
That rule protects you. The inspection checks the venting, the relief valve discharge, the gas connection and the pan and drain where required. When the job passes, the City issues a Certificate of Completion, and the City itself suggests homeowners ask for that document before making final payment.
Roswell 24/7 Plumbing replaces water heaters across Roswell in 30075 and 30076 and in nearby Johns Creek, with free estimates because replacement is planned work.
Options
Four Kinds of Water Heater, Four Different Fits
Gas tank
The most common swap in Roswell homes with gas service. Quick recovery, familiar venting, lower upfront cost.
Electric tank
Simple to install where there is no gas. Slower recovery, and sizing matters more for busy households.
Tankless
Heats on demand and never runs out, but often needs a larger gas line and new venting. Covered on our tankless page.
Heat pump
Uses far less electricity than a standard electric tank. Needs airflow, a condensate drain and a bit more room.
Changing from one type to another is where most of the cost difference lives. A like-for-like tank swap is the simplest job. Switching fuel or going tankless adds gas, electrical or venting work.
Sizing
A Starting Point for Tank Size
Treat this as a first pass. The first-hour rating on the label, and your household's busiest hour, decide the final choice.
| Household | Typical tank size | Look for a first-hour rating around | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 30 to 40 gallons | 45 to 55 gallons | Small homes and condos |
| 3 people | 40 to 50 gallons | 55 to 65 gallons | Most common Roswell swap |
| 4 people | 50 gallons | 65 to 75 gallons | Back-to-back showers need the higher end |
| 5 or more | 50 to 75 gallons or tankless | 75 gallons and up | Big tubs change the math |
Oversizing wastes energy keeping water hot that nobody uses. Undersizing means cold showers. If you are unsure, tell the plumber how many showers run in the morning and whether you have a soaking tub.
Old Tank Leaking Already?
A replacement can often be installed the same day once the tank is shut down safely.
Code Details That Matter on Install Day
Georgia's state minimum plumbing code is adapted from the IPC. A few of its water heater provisions come up on almost every Roswell replacement.
- Relief valve discharge. The T&P relief valve on top of the tank needs a full-size discharge pipe that ends where hot water can do no harm, never capped or threaded shut.
- Drain pans. A tank installed where a leak would damage the building, such as an attic or an upstairs closet, needs a pan with a drain line to a safe spot.
- Thermal expansion. If a regulator or backflow device keeps heated water from expanding back toward the street, the code calls for thermal expansion control, usually a small expansion tank on the cold line.
- Venting and gas. Gas units need correctly sized, sloped and sealed venting and a gas connection with a sediment trap and shutoff.
An older installation that skipped any of these will be brought up to date as part of the replacement, and the inspection confirms it.
Install Day
How a Replacement Visit Runs
- 1
Shut down and drain
Gas or power off, water off, old tank drained.
- 2
Remove and set
Old unit out, new unit set on stand or pan.
- 3
Connect
Water, gas or power, venting and relief discharge.
- 4
Test and inspect
Fill, light or power up, leak check, then City inspection.
You will have hot water again the same day for a like-for-like swap in most cases. The City inspection may happen that day or be scheduled after, depending on the inspector's calendar. If your current tank turns out to need only a part, repairing the existing heater may be the better call.
Cost
What Goes Into a Water Heater Replacement Price
The unit is only part of it. These factors explain most of the spread between quotes.
Utility rebates for high-efficiency or heat pump water heaters change from year to year, so check with your gas or electric provider before you buy. Estimates for replacements are free.
Want a replacement estimate? Call (770) 214-4545.
Questions
Replacement Questions From Roswell Homeowners
Yes. The City of Roswell states that water heaters fall under the plumbing and gas codes and require permits and inspections, and that state licensing is required when a tradesperson does the work. The city issues a Certificate of Completion once the job passes final inspection.
A like-for-like tank swap in an accessible garage or basement is usually a few hours. Moving the location, changing fuel type or converting to tankless takes longer because of new gas, venting or electrical work.
Size by the busiest hour of the day, not the number of bathrooms alone. The first-hour rating on the label tells you how much hot water a tank can deliver in an hour starting full. A household that runs two showers and a dishwasher back to back needs a higher rating than one with staggered use. The sizing table on this page is a starting point.
It can be. Heat pump models pull heat from the surrounding air and use much less electricity than a standard electric tank. They work best in a garage or basement with room to breathe and a place to drain condensate. They cool the space they sit in, which is welcome in a Georgia summer garage.
When a regulator or backflow device on your water line stops heated water from expanding back into the street, the pressure has nowhere to go. An expansion tank gives it room. Without one, the relief valve can drip and fittings wear faster. Georgia's plumbing code, based on the IPC, calls for thermal expansion control in that situation.
Ask for it to be included in the quote. Removal and disposal of the old heater is a normal part of a replacement, and you should see it on the estimate before the work is booked.
Sources for This Page
Permit, inspection and Certificate of Completion details come from the City of Roswell Community Development building FAQ. Relief discharge, pan and thermal expansion requirements reference the IPC as adapted in Georgia's state minimum plumbing code. Sizing ranges reflect the first-hour rating method printed on water heater labels.
Written by the Roswell 24/7 Plumbing team and checked against the sources above. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.
Time for a New Water Heater?
Get a free estimate with the permit, code updates and old-tank removal spelled out.
Call (770) 214-4545