Metro Vancouver Plumbing Supplies

As your one-stop shop for all things plumbing, we carry a variety of brands for all your bathtub, faucet, shower, sink, and toilet needs.We offer many styles and fixtures brands to fit the unique needs of your home and budget.

Some of the popular brands that we offer include:

• American Standard
• Delta
• Kohler
• Mansfield
• Maxx
• Grohe
• Hansgrohe
• Hytec
• Toto
• And more!

Bathtub & Shower brands: We offer prefabricated and custom bathtubs brands.

Faucets: We have many styles of faucets and fixture brands to fit any style of home. Let our plumbers help you choose from our most popular faucet brands.

Sinks: Whether for your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or wet bar, you can choose a unique sink brand for your unique space.

Toilets: Our plumbers carry different brands of traditional and low-flow toilets for your home.

Water Heaters & Hot Water Tanks

Basic Information

Your home hot water tank will be powered by either gas, electricity or propane. 80% of water heaters in Metro Vancouver are powered by gas.

Hot Water Tank Sizes

Commercial water tank sizes can vary greatly from 40 to over 80 US gallons.

Common residential water heater sizes are:

• 40 US gallons
• 50 US gallons
• 60 US gallons
• 75-80 US gallons

Most residential water heaters in Metro Vancouver are 40 or 50 gallons.

Larger tanks emit more carbon monoxide and require a larger vent to emit this harmful gas away from your home, so upgrading your water heater size may require a venting upgrade.

Small hot water tanks can be installed to supplement your regular system or to use for specific purposes, such as providing hot water to a single sink or small commercial washroom. These small water tanks are generally only available in electric power.

Compare these features when choosing a water heater:

You are required to have a permit to install a gas water heater. We will help with the permit application by processing the paperwork and arranging any necessary inspections with you. Learn more about water heater permits here.

Energy Star Natural Gas Water Heaters

Compared to electric water heaters, natural gas hot water tanks can provide more efficient water use and have a higher recovery rate.

Benefits of Natural Gas

• Heats water twice as fast as electric
• Lower operating costs
• Environmentally friendly – the cleanest burning fossil fuel
• Low maintenance
• One of the world’s safest sources of energy

When comparing gas hot water heaters, look for the following features:

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

• More energy efficient
• Take less physical space (the size of a carry-on suitcase)
• Endless hot water
• Higher quality, longer life
• Can increase home value
• Great for large families

Optional Add-ons:

• Recirculation pump for instant hot water
• Backup battery for power outages

Which model is right for your home?

• Tankless water heaters are compared by power and flow rate, whereas hot water tanks are compared by capacity, recovery rate, and first-hour rating. Assuming you will never use more hot water than your water heater flow rate, you will never run out of hot water! This means that you have an unlimited capacity, zero recovery rate, and unlimited first-hour rating.
• The flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM) based on the given heat rise (50-80 degrees). Tankless water heaters range from 4 to 9 GPM. For example:
  • 4 GPM = 1 shower + 1 other hot water source
  • 9 GPM = 2 showers + 1 other large hot water source

Tankless Efficiency

Tankless water heaters are typically 82% to 98% efficient. Tankless water heaters also maintain their efficiency over time, unlike hot water tanks which are subject to sediment accumulation. The lifetime of a tankless water heater – 15-20 years- twice as long as a hot water tank.

Cost to Install a Tankless Water Heater

The average cost is $3,500 to 4,100 for a new installation. Some factors affecting price include:

• Cost to run a dedicated gas like to the tankless water heater
• Installation of category 3 stainless steel venting or System 636 flue gas venting
• Installation of category 3 stainless steel venting or System 636 flue gas venting
• Installation of additional piping to relocate tankless water heater
• Installation of dedicated power to the tankless water heater
• Installation in under-construction home
• Retrofit from an existing tankless water heater

Tankless Water Heater Brands

We service all brands of gas and propane tankless water heaters. We install the following brands:

• Navien
• Rinnai

Tankless Combi Boiler

Do you have a water heater and a boiler in your home? Imagine one unit that could provide both heat and hot water! Tankless combi boilers are the latest in domestic heat and hot water technology. They can seamlessly replace your hot water boiler and hot water tank.

Navien’s Combi Boiler product line includes:

• NCB-180: 95% AFUE | 3.4 GPM | Space Heating 14,000-80,000 BTU | Best for small-sized families (1-3 people) and homes with low water use
• NCB-210: 95% AFUE | 4.0 GPM | Space Heating 17,000-100,000 BTU | Best for medium-sized families (3-4 people) and homes with high water use
• NCB-240: 95% AFUE | 4.5 GPM | Space Heating 18,000-120,000 BTU | Best for larger-sized families (4-5 people) and families with high water use – Recommended storage tank add-on for families over 4 | Maximum heating space approximately 2,500 sq ft

Benefits of Tankless Combi Boilers

• Compact unit to save space! Replaces your hot water tank and floor standing boiler
• Extremely energy efficient
• Can increase home value
• Heats water as you need it
• Cleaner water (no storage required)

How Combi Boilers Work

Control valves inside of the boiler allow water to flow either to the central heating system or towards a hot water tap (shower head, faucet, etc.). Combi boilers work on a priority system giving priority to domestic hot water, and so they won’t produce heat and hot water at the same time. If you are trying to fill a bathtub and heat a room, the heat will resume once you have turned off the hot water. Most people find this isn’t an issue as radiant floors and baseboards retain heat well.

How is the water heated?

Cold water passes over a highly efficient heat exchanger which heats up when gas is burned. Over 90% of this heat is transferred to the hot water, and then it goes right to where ever you need it.

Why are Combi Boilers so efficient?

Since combi boilers do not store any hot water there is no heat loss associated with a tank of standing hot water. Water is heated as you need it, so the boiler only fires up when there is a need to produce hot water.

Can I replace my furnace with a Combi Boiler?

If you are looking to replace your forced air furnace with a hot water system, contact us to inquire about a furnace heat coil and water heater system. A combi boiler is intended to be used for radiant floor heat (via hot water) and domestic hot water and thus is not compatible with a forced air furnace. However, a tankless water heater can be used to heat your forced air furnace indirectly and provide your home with domestic hot water for bathing, drinking, and washing!

We are a gas rebate contractor!

Below are some of the best natural gas rebates currently offered by FortisBC.

2017 Gas Rebates

• Storage Tank – 0.67-0.70 EF – $200 Rebate
• Non-condensing Tankless – 0.82-0.89 EF – $400 Rebate
• Condensing Tankless – 0.90-0.99 EF – $500 Rebate

Storage Hot Water Tank

Energy Star storage tank water heaters are between 0.67 and 0.70 EF. Only a few of the qualifying models are available for sale in BC, so we can help you find a qualifying model for your home.

Pros

• Most efficient non-condensing gas storage tank water heater
• Can handle multiple simultaneous demand for hot water
• Quick recovery means that there is a lower chance of running out of hot water

Cons

• Only a limited number are available in BC; ask your contractor to find one right for your home
• An electrical plug is required for atmospheric vented tanks
• An electrical connection is required for power vented tanks

Installed cost: $1200 to $1400
Life expectancy: 10 – 13 Years
Recommended maintenance: Once per year

Non-condensing Tankless

Non-condensing tankless water heaters are also called instantaneous or on-demand, and they do not actually store water. Tankless systems may not be the best choice for large households as they can’t provide enough hot water for multiple simultaneous tasks. However, they free up square footage because of their compact size and are highly environmentally friendly.

Pros

• Energy Star models help reduce energy costs and your eco-footprint
• Space saving in design
• Lower price point compared to condensing models
• Wall-mounted
• Does not create condensation so a household drain isn’t required

Cons

• Most units will not work in the event of a power outage
• There is an approximate 10-second delay for hot water after turning on the tap because water is heated only when it’s needed

Installed cost: $3,000 to $4,000
Life expectancy: Approximately 20 years
Recommended maintenance: At least once a year

Condensing Tankless

Condensing tankless water heaters, also called instantaneous or on-demand, do not actually store water like a tank. You can read more about tankless water heaters here. Tankless systems may not be the best choice for large households as they can’t provide enough hot water for multiple simultaneous tasks. However, they free up square footage because of their compact size and are highly environmentally friendly.

Condensing tankless water heaters are the most efficient kind of tankless water heater, and drain is required for condensation.

Pros

• The most energy efficient, which helps reduce energy cost and your eco-footprint
• Space saving design
• Wall-mounted

Cons

• A drain must be available for condensation
• Most units do not work in a power outage
• There is an approximate 10-second delay for hot water after turning on the tap because water is heated only when it’s needed

Installed cost: $3,500 to $5,000
Life expectancy: approximately 20 years
Recommended maintenance: At least once a year

Pricing

Best Price Guarantee

Your business is very important to us. If you find a competing service company that will do the same work for less, we will match their price!*

* Price for a base model and installation before taxes. May require additional fees (gas permit, etc.).

Water Heater Warranty

The average lifespan of a tank is 8-10 years. Do you know how old your water heater is? Read this guide to find out.
Our hot water tanks come with a 6 to 10-year tank warranty with extended warranty options available. Please contact our office for details.

Water Heater Brands

We offer the best products from Bradford White, John Wood and Rheem for your home. We also carry a variety of water heater brands for commercial use such as AO Smith. All of our water heaters are purchased locally and distributed for use in Canada.

Prices include water heater and installation package. Tanks not sold separately.

Additional Sizes & Models

2 Gallon to 80 Gallon and up

Also available: Power vent water heaters, EnergyStar certified rebate water heaters

In accordance with municipal bylaws, permits are required for gas water heaters to ensure the safe installation and inspection of your new water heater.

Plumbing Rates

Plumbing services have a call out and minimum labour fee. This is applied directly to the cost of repairs and all of our flat rate services, designed to provide you with the best value for your dollar.

Plumbing Services:

• Drain Clean
• Camera Inspection
• High-Pressure Water Jet
• Root Removal
• Toilet Repair and Toilet Install
• Tankless Gas Water Heater Repair