Yes — water heater replacement is one of Done’s core services, and we handle it for tank units (gas and electric), tankless on-demand systems (gas and electric), and heat pump water heaters. Our licensed plumbers assess your existing setup, recommend the right size and type for your household, handle disposal of the old unit, and complete the installation to code — including any required permits and inspections. Most standard tank replacements are completed in a single visit.

How to Know It’s Time to Replace (Not Repair)

The clearest signal is a leaking tank body — water seeping from the tank itself (not from fittings or connections) means the steel has corroded through, and there’s no reliable repair for that. Other strong indicators include:

  • The unit is 12 or more years old (Colorado’s hard water shortens average lifespan below the national benchmark)
  • Rusty or discolored hot water even after flushing
  • Persistent rumbling or popping that doesn’t improve after a flush (heavy sediment that has hardened on the tank floor)
  • Repeated repairs within a short period — spending on parts for a failing unit rarely pays off
  • Significantly higher gas or electric bills without a clear explanation (a sediment-laden or corroded tank works much harder to heat the same amount of water)

Choosing the Right Replacement Unit

Sizing matters more than most homeowners realize. A tank that’s too small runs out of hot water during peak morning demand; one that’s significantly oversized heats water you never use, wasting energy continuously. The right size depends on household size, bathing patterns, and whether you have high-demand appliances like a soaking tub or a steam shower. Done’s plumbers size the replacement based on your actual usage, not just the capacity of what’s being removed.

Tankless systems are worth serious consideration at replacement time. A gas tankless unit provides endless hot water on demand and eliminates standby heat loss — the energy consumed to keep a tank warm around the clock. At Denver’s altitude, gas tankless units require altitude-specific configuration; Done handles this correctly from installation rather than leaving a unit running at incorrect combustion settings. Heat pump water heaters are another strong option for homes with electric service, delivering two to three times the efficiency of a conventional electric tank by pulling heat from the surrounding air.

What Replacement Day Looks Like

Done’s plumber arrives with the new unit (pre-confirmed size and type based on your pre-visit conversation or initial assessment), drains and disconnects the old heater, removes it from the premises, positions and connects the new unit, installs or verifies the pressure relief valve and discharge line, lights the pilot or powers up the unit, and confirms hot water is reaching fixtures before leaving. For gas units, we also check the flue and draft hood — critical in Colorado homes where negative pressure from exhaust fans can cause backdrafting.

Tankless replacements take longer — typically a half-day to full day — because venting often needs to be reconfigured and the gas supply line may need to be upsized to meet the higher BTU demand of a tankless burner.

Permits, Efficiency Rebates, and Hard Water

Water heater replacement in Colorado requires a permit in most Front Range jurisdictions, and the installation must meet current energy efficiency standards. Done pulls the permit and schedules the inspection — you’re not responsible for managing that process. Xcel Energy and some local utilities offer rebates on qualifying high-efficiency and heat pump water heaters; ask Done’s team about current rebate programs when you’re selecting a unit, as these can meaningfully offset the purchase price.

If you’re replacing a water heater that never had a water softener upstream and you’ve been on Denver’s hard water, consider adding a softener at the same time. Scale buildup is the primary cause of shortened tank life on the Front Range, and protecting a new heater from day one extends its service life significantly.

Schedule Your Replacement

If your water heater has failed or is near the end of its life, don’t wait for a flood. Visit our water heater replacement page to get started, or explore options including tankless water heaters if you’re ready to upgrade. Financing options are available to help manage the cost of a new system.