Question 1

Water heater thermostat setting for a Calgary family, how hot?

Accepted Answer

We do not publish a tank setting of our own: the water heater's manual gives the manufacturer's setting, and a plumber can set it for your household. The one Calgary figure we can give you is at the tap: at the final inspection for bathroom work, the City of Calgary checks that tub and shower water does not exceed 49°C.

Why the tap temperature matters

Hot water at the tap can scald, especially children and older adults. Where the tank has to run hotter than you want at the tap, a plumber can

Question 2

What is an anode rod and should Calgary homeowners replace it?

Accepted Answer

An anode rod is a metal rod, usually magnesium or aluminium, that sits inside a tank water heater and corrodes slowly so the steel tank does not. It is often called a sacrificial rod because that is exactly what it does: it gives itself up to the minerals and oxygen in the water so the tank lining stays intact. When the rod is gone, the tank starts rusting from the inside, and that is usually what ends a water heater's life.

Why Calgary's water makes this matter more

Calgary's water is hard,

Question 3

Does my Airdrie home need a permit for a new water heater?

Accepted Answer

In Airdrie, yes, replacing a water heater requires a permit. The City of Airdrie lists plumbing and hot water tanks, and gas work, as work that needs a permit.

What the permit covers and who pulls it

Depending on the job, that can mean a plumbing permit, a gas permit or both, so ask the City of Airdrie which applies to your swap. A certified gasfitter handles any gas work; that is not optional in Alberta, where Gasfitter is a compulsory certification trade under the Skilled Trades and Apprent

Question 4

Tank or tankless for a Calgary basement suite, which fits better?

Accepted Answer

A standard 50-gallon gas tank water heater supplied and installed runs roughly $1,500 to $3,500 in Calgary; a tankless gas unit costs $2,200 to $5,000 installed, plus $400 to $1,500 more if the gas line needs upgrading. For a basement suite, that gap matters, but so do several practical factors that often tip the decision.

Tank vs. Tankless for a Suite

A tank heater is simpler and cheaper upfront. It works well when the suite has its own dedicated unit, the basement has enough space for the t

Water Heaters

Water heater thermostat setting for a Calgary family, how hot?

What is an anode rod and should Calgary homeowners replace it?

Does my Airdrie home need a permit for a new water heater?

Tank or tankless for a Calgary basement suite, which fits better?