Hot water is one of those things nobody thinks about—until it's gone. Whether your Waukesha home has an aging tank heater on its last legs or you're ready to upgrade to a high-efficiency tankless system, Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has master plumbers ready to help. Waukesha's municipal water system is known for high mineral content, making it one of the most scale-prone environments for conventional storage water heaters in the region. We've served Waukesha County homeowners for more than 60 years, and water heater installation is one of our most common—and most straightforward—services.
## Tank vs. Tankless: Which Is Right for Your Waukesha Home?
**Storage tank water heaters** remain the most common choice for Waukesha homeowners. A 40- or 50-gallon natural gas or electric tank stores pre-heated water so it's ready on demand. Modern high-efficiency tanks with Energy Star ratings dramatically reduce operating costs compared to units installed 10–15 years ago. If your current heater is aging or you've noticed a drop in hot-water output, a same-day replacement is often possible.
**Tankless (on-demand) water heaters** heat water as it flows through the unit, eliminating standby heat loss and delivering virtually unlimited hot water. A condensing gas tankless unit can achieve efficiency ratings above 96% UEF, cutting water-heating costs significantly. Waukesha homeowners frequently pair a new tankless water heater with a whole-home water softener for maximum efficiency and appliance longevity. Burkhardt's master plumbers properly size your tankless unit based on peak flow rate, incoming water temperature, and the number of simultaneous fixtures in your home.
## Hard Water Is a Real Threat to Water Heaters in Waukesha
Waukesha's water hardness is a significant factor in water heater longevity. Scale buildup inside a tank reduces effective capacity, forces the burner to work harder, and can cut heater life by years. Our plumbers assess your water hardness, recommend softener or filtration solutions when appropriate, and select heater models with features designed for high-mineral-content water.
## What to Expect from a Burkhardt Installation
Our licensed, bonded master plumbers handle the full installation: removing the old unit, proper disposal, new connections, pressure relief valve installation, and final testing. All work is permitted and code-compliant. Most installations are complete in two to four hours. GreenSky financing is available through GreenSky for qualified customers.
Call Burkhardt at **414-206-3049** to schedule your Waukesha water heater installation or same-day replacement.
We service all major water heater brands: Rheem, AO Smith, Bradford White, Navien, Rinnai, State, Noritz, and Takagi.
No Hot Water?
Common causes: failed pilot light, tripped reset button, faulty thermocouple, sediment buildup, or broken dip tube. Hard water accelerates sediment buildup — especially in Waukesha County. Our technicians carry common parts on every truck for same-visit repairs.
Water Softener Services in Waukesha, WI
In addition to water heater installation, Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric provides water softener installation and service throughout Waukesha, WI. Waukesha County water — whether from municipal supply or private wells — is notoriously hard, and quality water softeners in Waukesha, WI protect your water heater, plumbing fixtures, and appliances from scale buildup. Water softener Waukesha, WI homeowners need should be properly sized for your household's actual usage — and our plumbers test your water before recommending any system. We install, service, and maintain all major water softener brands. Call 414-206-3049 to schedule a free water test in Waukesha.
How long does water heater installation take in Waukesha?
A standard tank water heater replacement in Waukesha typically takes two to three hours from start to finish. Tankless installations may take three to four hours depending on venting and gas line requirements. Burkhardt aims to complete same-day service whenever possible.
Should I choose a tank or tankless water heater for my home?
Tank water heaters cost less upfront and are simpler to install; tankless units cost more initially but offer greater long-term efficiency and endless hot water. The right choice depends on your household size, peak hot-water demand, and budget. Burkhardt's master plumbers will walk you through both options and give an honest recommendation.
Related Services
Learn more about our plumbing services across southeastern Wisconsin.
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Call Us At: (414) 206-3049
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