FAQ

Water heater

General

What’s the difference between a 40-gallon water heater and a 60-gallon water heater?

For a water heater that meets your needs, you can choose between two options. Forty-gallon water heaters are perfect for homes with one or two people or those living in smaller spaces.

On the other hand, 60-gallon water heaters are suited for larger families (of three or more) or if you have a large tub or hot tub. Rest assured that HydroSolution’s team will help you find the water heater that meets your needs.

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What is an ECOPEAK® water heater?

Water heaters with ECOPEAK® technology offered by HydroSolution are designed and manufactured right here in Quebec. Thanks to their technology, these water heaters consume less energy at peak hours: between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It also includes three heating elements, one more than standard models. For more information, you can consult the detailed product sheet.

Even though this is a reliable, eco-responsible choice for dwellings with 3 people or fewer, it can also be a good option for families of 4 or 5. We recommend you make sure this product is sufficient for your family’s needs before you rent or purchase it. To do so, simply consult the ECOPEAK® purchase guide to see if you need to change your water consumption habits or not. You can also fill out our interactive questionnaire to get a recommendation based on your lifestyle habits.

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How old is my water heater?

Want to find out how old your water heater is? Simply look at the label on the tank.

It includes important information such as when your water heater was manufactured, the wattage of the elements and the serial number.

Keep in mind that insurance companies will require the installation date of your water heater, not the date it was manufactured. These two dates might differ by a few months. If you’re a HydroSolution customer and having trouble reading the information on your label, simply get in touch with our customer service and we’ll be happy to help.

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What are the benefits of renting?

There are numerous advantages to renting a water heater! First and foremost, you don’t need to provide a deposit or pay for maintenance or repairs. In fact, we’ll take care of delivery, installation, and removing your old water heater. Moreover, if your water heater ever needs to be repaired or replaced, we’ll do so at no extra cost, in line with HydroSolution’s policies.

By renting your water heater, you’ll also benefit from a monthly flat rate which will avoid any unpleasant surprises at the end of the month. Moreover, did you know that rental is more advantageous than purchasing a water heater over a 10-year period? That’s because if you own your water heater, you might have to spend an average of $300 every time you need the water heater to be serviced. Do the math! Renting a water heater can be much more cost-efficient than purchasing one.

If your water comes from a well, if you live in a condo building, or if your insurance company requires it, we’ll recommend our Rental PLUS option which comes with preventive replacement after your water heater’s 10-year lifespan. Water from a well is harder and contains minerals which could shorten the lifespan of your water heater.

Choosing rental means an affordable monthly fee and complete peace of mind!

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When will I receive my bill?

You should receive your bill 2 to 4 weeks after the water heater is installed.

If you rent your water heater, you will receive bills every other month. If you want to access your bills at any time, you need to create an account in the Customer Centre section on our website. Please note that if you choose to receive a paper bill, a $1 fee will be charged every month and you will have to change your preferences on our Customer Centre page or contact us by phone.

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How do I terminate my rental agreement?

Want to end your rental agreement with HydroSolution? Did you know you can purchase the water heater at its residual value, in line with HydroSolution’s criteria? To do so, contact our customer service team and we’ll be happy to guide you through the process.

If you still want to put an end to your contract, you can do so at any time except if you benefit from a promotional rate.

If you want to put an end to your contract, call us at 1-877-353-0077 or write to us at least 30 days before the termination date of your agreement. The mailing address is listed in the “Contact Us” section of our website.

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Technical problems

Are you experiencing problems with your water heater?
First and foremost, don’t panic!  Many issues can quickly be solved.

Quick diagnosis
How long have you had a problem with your water heater?

Did someone adjust the thermostat? An electrical problem could also be the cause. Check that the fuses or circuit breakers are intact. These can sometimes burn out and impact your water heater. Then check that the switch powering your water heater hasn’t been switched off. Plumbing problems are also common. Make sure that the cold water valve is operational.

Have your water consumption habits changed?

Events that may seem innocuous can have an impact on your water heater. Have you recently returned from vacation to a water heater that hasn’t been used in a while? Give it a bit of time before concluding that it’s not functioning properly. Moreover, having guests over for a few days may lead to a high demand for hot water. In other words, your water heater might be too small to meet this increased demand. Finally, roadwork or excavation work near you may cause problems and lead to residue in the pipes.

Could extreme cold be the cause of the problem?

We tend to forget that we live in a northern country! Pipes are at risk of freezing in the winter. Make sure to adequately heat the room where the water heater is located to ensure the pipes remain at a safe temperature.

Water quality
There’s no hot water

Is the water warm or cold? If your water is cold and an electrical problem has been ruled out, your water heater might be empty or you might need to call a plumber.

If you are not familiar with plumbing, keep in mind that our expert technicians are always available to assist you.

I don’t have enough hot water

Make sure the hot and cold water lines are connected properly (and not in reverse). Check that there aren’t any water leaks in the plumbing system, that the thermostat’s temperature is set to 60 °C (140 °F), and that there was no higher demand for hot water.

If all these possible causes have been ruled out, maybe your water heater no longer meets your water heating needs. If you are not familiar with plumbing and electricity, keep in mind that our expert installation technicians are always available to assist you.

My water is boiling hot

Have you recently changed your water heater? A new water heater can be much more powerful than an older model. If you’ve adjusted the thermostat recently, set it back to 60 °C. You can also adjust the cold water faucet if your model has one.

The heating element may have also been corroded by carbon dioxide. You may either have to replace the thermostat or the heating element. Our CMMTQ certified technicians are able to perform these modifications for you.

There are traces of rust in my hot water

Does your cold water also contain traces of rust? If both your cold and hot water contain rust, it’s probably due to excavation work going on in your neighbourhood. If you are sure no roadwork or excavation work is taking place near your home, the internal tank may be corroded.

The anode may also be completely dissolved. If that is the case, it will have to be replaced. Our expert technicians can quickly take care of that.

The hot water smells bad

In some cases, water in aqueducts may intermittently contain sulfur. Rest assured that even though you may find the odour unpleasant, it is not hazardous to your health. Get in touch with your municipality for more information. If your water comes from a well, you may want to look into water filtration systems.

You should also keep in mind that water contains a high sulphate and mineral content. A chemical reaction may occur when the water heater’s magnesium anode reacts to particles in the water. In that case, you’ll need to replace the magnesium anode with an aluminium anode and use chlorine bleach to clean the inside of the tank.

Leaks
The drain valve is leaking

If the problem does not concern your plumbing, the tank might be punctured, the safety valve may have a leak, or the plumbing connections may not be watertight.

The faucet may also be open or defective. You can turn off the drain valve yourself, but if it needs to be replaced, we can do that for you.

If there’s water damage, call us immediately. While you wait for emergency repairs, shut off the cold water valve, cut the power supply, and then make sure the space is clear enough. Remove as much water as possible with a mop and towels.

 

The pressure relief valve is leaking

Many issues could cause the pressure relief valve to leak. First and foremost, make sure there’s no problem with the thermostat. The relief valve may be improperly seated or defective. The water pressure in the tank might be excessive, which causes an issue with the valve, or thermal expansion has occurred in the water system.

If the leak occurred after an installation or intervention from technicians, call the installation team.

 

There is water on the floor or in the drain pan

The pressure relief valve, element, or water heater itself may be at fault. Shut off the cold water valve, mop up the water before it causes damage, and try to find the cause by eliminating every possibility. If you haven’t been able to fix the problem, call us to request an emergency repair.

The insulation is wet

The plumbing connections or the pressure relief valve may be leaking. There may also be a leak around the element.

The tank is bulging

Make sure a pressure relief valve has been installed. If not, you’ll have to install a proper relief valve or install a suitable expansion tank on the cold water line. HydroSolution can help.

Electrical or mechanical problems
My water heater runs constantly

There may be a variety of reasons for this. Either the water heater is too small for your needs, the thermostat is defective or not connected to the water heater, or the auxiliary switch is defective.

One or several elements are defective

The wiring connections may be inadequate or loose, or the voltage may be too high. Something may also have short circuited.

The fuse blows frequently

Among the possible causes, oxidized or loose connections or a low supply voltage are the most probable.

My water heater makes an unusual noise

Noises from water heaters may be worrisome. Identify the type of noise. Is it a buzz, a clanking sound, or a drip? In the winter, thawing can cause noise.

It’s also possible that the noise is due to a build-up of limescale on the element, that the thermostat is not properly connected to the water heater, or that the wiring connections are loose. If this is the case, one of our certified plumbers will be able to assist you.

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