A repairable part or a failed tank?
Many "dead" heaters have a failed component — an igniter, element, thermostat or gas control — on an otherwise sound tank. A leaking tank body is different and usually ends the repair conversation. The repair or replace questions help you compare both paths in the same detail before committing.
Capacity and first-hour rating
Common residential tanks are 40, 50 and 75 gallons, but gallons alone don't tell you how a heater performs. The first-hour rating — how much hot water it can deliver in an hour — matters more for a household that runs out. There is no universal right size: it depends on how your household actually uses hot water, which is worth describing when you call.
Gas and electric differences
Gas tanks use a burner, gas control and venting; electric resistance tanks use heating elements and thermostats and do not use combustion venting at all. How quickly a tank recovers hot water depends on the model, its burner input or element wattage and its capacity — not on fuel type alone. Switching fuel types changes the work substantially — gas supply, electrical capacity and venting all come into play — so it is a decision to make with the contractor, not an assumption.
Venting is not interchangeable
Atmospheric-draft gas tanks vent into a chimney or B-vent; power-vent models use a fan and can vent through a sidewall. One cannot simply be swapped for the other. Older masonry chimneys may need liner evaluation, and combustion air and electrical needs differ by installation. A qualified contractor evaluates the actual flue, liner and air supply at your home rather than assuming.
Dimensions, stairs and removal
Measure the path, not just the heater. Basement stairs, door widths and tight turns decide what can physically be installed, and the old tank has to come out the same way. Note the heater's location, the stair and door situation, and anything stored around it. If your home has narrow basement stairs or a tight turn, mention it when you call — your home's actual layout is what counts.
Permits and inspection
The City of Berwyn's published permit guidance lists water heater installation and replacement as permit work. Confirm the current requirements, fees and inspection steps for your specific scope with the City of Berwyn Building Department. Illinois plumbing code addresses thermal expansion control on closed hot-water systems, with exceptions for some existing buildings — whether it applies to your home is a question for the contractor and the municipality, not a blanket rule.
Related: repair or replace, tankless repair and flushing, and the call checklist. Back to water heater repair in Berwyn.