Ethan BrownLiving without hot water is tough, right? Cold showers that feel like a dare—I’ve been there, shivering under the icy cascade and wondering how something as simple as hot water could feel like such a luxury.
Turns out, the absence of a water heater can wreak havoc on daily life quicker than you think. That’s why I decided it was time to fix the problem and figure out who’s really the best at water heater installation and repair in Ottawa.
Whether your water heater just needs a little TLC or you’re ready for a new one entirely, our team rounded up the top pros who can keep your home warm and your showers blissfully steamy! Check below for our trusted ones.
How much does water heater installation and repair cost in Ottawa?
Water heater installation in Ottawa typically costs between $1,500 and $7,500, while repairs range from $150 to $600. Installation costs vary based on the model (tank or tankless) and complexity, while repair costs depend on the nature of the issue and potential plumbing upgrades.
1. Reliance Holmes Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
Address: 1000 Logistics Private Unit 3
Phone: +1 866 634 5382
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Having served homes for over 60 years, Reliance Holmes brings seasoned expertise to their services, which include tankless, gas, and electric water heaters.
What makes them unique is their flexibility—you can choose to purchase your system outright or rent it, which is ideal if you’re after manageable monthly payments.
Additionally, we noted how they’re all about efficiency. They offer energy-saving products to reduce both your carbon footprint and your utility costs.
Their team of licensed and insured technicians is another big plus. Not only do they provide professional service, but they’ve also built a reputation for being friendly and knowledgeable.
And if you’re into rebates, Reliance has your back—they’ll guide you through the steps to claim those savings. However, it’s not all perfect.
While their website makes booking free in-home consultations an absolute breeze, some customers mentioned occasional hiccups with after-work care.
Efficient and thorough service
“Nick was absolutely great .. I had him take a look at our hot water tank also as it appeared it might have a leak and he arranged to have a new hot water tank delivered the next day and installed.
He was a very friendly guy and did a thorough job of checking our furnace and air conditioner !”
Patty Greer, Google Review
Knowledgeable and attentive professionals
“Max and Ahmad replaced our hot water tank today, October 14/25. They were very polite and knowledgeable, and answered my many questions I had ( written down) and few others along the way. I stated I was concerned about the draining and that our home is 60 years old. They closely monitored everything from start to finish. Everything went very smoothly and we are very happy with their service and professionalism. 11 out of 10 !!
Thanks!”
Deborah Jones, Google Review
2. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa
Address: 3900 Russell Rd.
Phone: +1 613 746 0000
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Even though plumbing is Mr. Rooter’s bread and butter, they’re pretty skilled with electric water heater repairs, installations, and replacements, too—great if you’re dealing with both issues at once.
Moreover, their technicians are polite, thorough, and committed to resolving any issues while making sure everything’s running smoothly before they pack up.
One thing we love is their Neighbourly Done Right Promise®—a safety net that ensures the work meets high standards, or they’ll make it right. For example, they offer 30 days of coverage for drain cleaning and up to 1 year for replacement workmanship.
Safety matters, so we’re glad that they’re also up-to-date with regulations and building codes. And if you’re thinking about upgrading your water heater to something more energy-efficient, they can guide you through options like tankless models.
On the downside, they’re often in high demand, so you might have to be patient for non-emergency services.
Professional and efficient service
“Lucas, who works for Mr.Rooter provided us with the most professional and efficient service we have had regarding plumbing emergencies. Lucas was calm and very transparent when answering our questions. He detailed the costs very clearly and provided pros and cons about the solutions. We highly recommend Lucas and Mr.Rooter for all plumbing needs.”
Rita Beltempo, Google Review
Patient and thorough professionalism
“I was very pleased with my service today from Mr. Rooter Plumbing. My technician Greg was exceptional. He was patient, answered all my questions and spent the time necessary to ensure that I understood all my options. Greg was personable, polite and professional and I really did feel like he was offering solutions that were the best fit for me. The company also followed up with me after the visit to ensure that I was happy with the service which I really appreciated. I would definitely use Mr. Rooter again.”
Michael D’Costa, Google Review
3. John The Plumber
Address: 1541 Riverside Dr.
Phone: +1 613 227 7465
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
John The Plumber has really earned its place as one of Ottawa’s go-to spots for HVAC services. We were impressed by the range they cover—everything from air conditioners and furnaces to tankless water heaters, gas fireplaces, and cooling systems.
It’s rare to find a company that tackles all of these with the same level of care, and the bonus of offering same-day service just makes them stand out even more.
Whether you’ve got an emergency or just need a quick fix, they’re ready to jump in. We heard really great things from their customers, especially when it comes to water heaters.
One client described how their hot water tank was replaced in a few hours, with zero mess left behind. Additionally, the team walked them through how to use the new system before leaving.
Friendly, fast, and clean is how they roll, and we couldn’t agree more. However, we did notice that they’re very slow to respond on their communication channels.
Skilled customization and efficiency
“The technician who was sent from John the Plumber, Mukaley was competent, efficient, knowledgeable, and was very good at problem solving. He took out our old hot water tank and replaced it with a new one. He had to slightly customize the configuration of the intake piping, which worked very well. We were very pleased with his service!”
Sheryl McKendry, Google Review
Consistent reliability and expertise
“I recently experienced an issue with my hot water tank, and John The Plumber delivered exceptional service once again. Chris, the technician, was professional, highly knowledgeable, and friendly. He quickly identified the problem, clearly explained the issue, and resolved it efficiently. This was my second time using John The Plumber, and their consistent quality and reliability make them my top recommendation for plumbing services.”
Dan MacDonald, Google Review
4. Anchor Home Comfort
Address: 1181 Parisien St.
Phone: +1 613 704 4180
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Anchor Home Comfort truly knows its stuff, and it shows in their nearly 40 years of industry experience. We get it—entrusting your home’s comfort to a company can feel daunting, but these pros make it easier.
They don’t just install water heaters (both tank and tankless); they help you figure out what works best for your home, handling everything from setup to ensuring all work meets code.
Plus, they work with top-tier brands, including Energy Star-certified units, so you know quality is a top priority.
What stands out, though, is their 24/7 availability! Their maintenance plans also deserve recognition; between priority service in under a day, annual checkups, and repair discounts, it feels like they’re investing in your comfort long-term.
And let’s not forget, everything they do comes with satisfaction guarantees and parts-and-labour warranties, which is a nice little security blanket.
That said, we’ve heard some chatter about hiccups with warranty-related repairs—nothing major, but it seems follow-ups aren’t always as smooth as they could be.
Prompt service and effectiveness
“Miguel was great. Our hot water tank quit working and he came out the next morning. The sensor was cleaned and we had hot water again. We likely will be replacing our hot water tank with Anchor in the near future.”
Luke de Freitas, Google Review
Professional and efficient installation
“My hot water tank decided after 15 years to stop working. I contacted Anchor Home Comfort and was very impressed on how fast they came to change my tank. Jordan and Zach were amazing and did a great job installing our new hot water tank and removing the old one. Excellent work, friendly and professional! We made a good decision by going with Anchor Home Comfort. Thank you and best regards to all.”
Jocelyn Deslauriers, Google Review
5. Ottawa Home Services
Address: 1559 Laperriere Ave.
Phone: +1 613 604 4777
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
We’ve been hearing great things about Ottawa Home Services for ages, so we finally decided to check them out—and honestly, we get the hype. They’ve been around since 2003, which already gives us some confidence.
They handle everything from tankless water heaters to traditional tanks, and we love how they approach quotes and consultations. No hard sell, no rushing—you get a solid 30 days to mull it over.
Their team is super professional too, taking care to explain the costs and the pros and cons clearly, without drowning us in technical jargon.
Another thing that earned serious points: their 24/7 emergency service. Plus, their work is backed by a satisfaction guarantee, so there’s peace of mind baked into every job.
We also noticed how thoughtful they are about keeping the workplace clean—they use drop clothes and follow through with tidy-ups after every installation.
As for financing, they make it really easy with flexible payment plans and rental options! That said, they’re quite popular, so getting a quote or appointment takes a little patience.
Thorough and courteous service
“Tech arrived early for his appointment. He was polite, his clothes were neat, he put on a pair of slippers over his boots upon entering my house, he inspected and cleaned my furnace and tankless systems, changed the furnace filter with one that I provided, took a series of readings who were as they should be, filled out invoice on his tablet and sent me an email at my address and departed.”
Gilles Bergeron, Google Review
Quick and reliable emergency support
“I’ve been with OHS for 14 years now, and I’ve not had any negative experiences. Recently, my water heater stopped working. This was during the Easter long weekend. OHS has an emergency after-hours contact number where I was able to connect to a technician right away. They quickly addressed the situation and replaced the aging tankless unit with a new one. When it comes to hot water, expediency matters. Thanks for not wasting any time and getting it done for us.”
Charles Dugas, Google Review
