Home > FAQs > Rental Water Heaters

Renting your water heater is a no-hassle, worry-free choice. But, of course, you may still have questions. Click a particular question below to view its answer or scroll through to read them all.

General Questions

Who do I call if I have questions about my rental water heater or its bill?

What about my rental water heater if I sell my home?

How much does renting a water heater cost?

What size of water heater do I need?

Rate Change Effective January 1st, 2009 Questions 

When is my RWH rate changing?
How much is my rate increasing by?
Why is my rate increasing?
Why haven't you increased rates since 2001?
Why is the increase such a large percentage?
Will my rental rate increase next year too?
How do your rental rates compare to other providers?
Does the City make a profit on renting water heaters?
I just had my RWH replaced and the rental rate went up then for technology - it is going up again?

Anti-Scald Mixing Valve Questions

What changes have been made to the Building Code regarding water heaters?

What is an anti-scald mixing valve?

What are thermostatic valves?

How do I comply with the Building Code anti-scald regulations?

I am a current Kitchener Utilities rental water heater customer. Can I get an anti-scald mixing valve installed?

Why can’t I just lower the temperature of my tank?

Will the mixing valve decrease my hot water capacity?

Where can I find more information regarding this Building Code Change?

 
Flammable Vapour Tank Questions

What is a flammable vapour tank?

If this is a change initiated in the U.S., why does it affect me?

Why have water heater tanks become more efficient?

1. Who do I contact if I have questions about my rental water heater or its bill?

Please contact Kitchener Utilities for all your rental natural gas water heater questions or concerns:

• To rent a natural gas water heater, call 519-741-2626 or complete this online form.
• To arrange for repairs or service, call 519-741-2529.
• For questions about your rental water heater bill, call 519-741-2450.

2. What about my rental water heater if I sell my home?

Rental natural gas water heater services and rental charges can be transferred to the new owner. This transfer must be indicated on the offer to purchase and sale documents. You must call Kitchener Utilities at 519-741-2450 and advise them of the closing date and your lawyer’s name.

3. How much does renting a water heater cost?

Water heater rental rates vary depending on the size and type of water heater you require. For many people, renting a water heater is the preferred, worry-free option. Click here for some information about deciding to rent versus buy a new water heater.

4. What size of water heater do I need?

The size and capacity of water heater your family requires depends on the number of people in your home as well as what you will be using it for (e.g., soaker or whirlpool tubs require more hot water than conventional tubs). Click here for more information about tank size.

5. When is my RWH rate changing?
Kitchener Utilities natural gas rental water heater rates are changing effective January 1st, 2009.  You will see the increase on your February utility bill, which is when you will be billed for January’s rental.

6. How much is my rate increasing by?
Refer to rate chart to communicate the applicable rate increase.

7. Why is my rate increasing?
Rental rates are increasing due to a number of contributing factors; customer service costs have increased, recent technological improvements, regulatory changes, the rising cost of steel, and our operating costs have increased.  The rate increases are necessary to maintain the high level of service our customers have come to expect.

8. Why haven't you increased rates since 2001?
Although, many of our costs have increased over the years, we have been able to find efficiencies in other areas of the program.  Unfortunately, these efficiencies are now fully exhausted.

9. Why is the increase such a large percentage?
When we surveyed our customers on how they would like a rate change implemented, the majority told us they would prefer less frequent, larger rate increases to more frequent, smaller rate increases.  As a result, Kitchener Utilities will implement the rate change in one increase, as opposed to a phased approach.

10. Will my rental rate increase next year too?
Customers have told us they prefer less frequent and larger rate increases.  We will do our best to maintain our 2009 rates into 2010.  Although, due to the many external cost pressures that affect our program’s operating costs we can not commit to a rate freeze.

11. How do your rental rates compare to other providers?
Our current rental rates range from 23 to 48 percent lower than other local providers.  Thus, even with our 2009 rate increases our rates will be lower than other local rental providers.

12. Does the City make a profit on renting water heaters?
Any profits generated on the rental water heater program go back to the City to offset other City program and operating costs.

13. I just had my RWH replaced and the rental rate went up then for technology - it is going up again?
All rental rates are increasing largely due to increasing customer service and operating costs.  The rate increase is necessary to maintain the high level of service our customers have come to expect.

14. What changes have been made to the Building Code regarding water heaters?

In February of 2004, the Building Code (Building Code, O.Reg.23/04) was amended to specify that the maximum hot water temperature supplied to fixtures in residential homes should not exceed 49 degrees Celsius. Dishwashers and washing machines are exempt. This change is intended to reduce the danger of scalding. This code change applies both to new homes and when there are alterations made to the plumbing system of an existing homes, including the replacement or new installation of a water heater. To learn more about this legislative change, visit the 2006 Ontario Building Code, Subsection 7.6.5. of Division B.

15. What is an anti-scald mixing valve?

Installed directly on your water heater, the valve mixes hot water with cold water to ensure that water from your faucets does not exceed 49 degrees Celcius.

16. What are thermostatic valves?

Thermostatic valves are located at the points of use (e.g., shower head or faucet). They mix hot water with cold water to ensure that the water coming out does not exceed 49 degrees Celcius.

17. How do I comply with the Building Code anti-scald regulations?

You have a couple options for compliance:

• You can have Kitchener Utilities install an anti-scald mixing valve during installation of your new rental hot water heater for an additional charge of $1 per month for the term of your rental. This charge covers the cost of the valve, the installation, and maintenance of the anti-scald valve over time.
• You can hire a plumber to install anti-scald thermostatic mixing valves at each of your hot water faucets and showerheads. This option will likely cost you more because you will have to purchase multiple valves. The thermostatic mixing valves must be installed prior to your rental water heater installation to qualify to rent from Kitchener Utilities.

Please note: Tankless water heaters do not require an anti-scald valve as they internally regulate the temperature of hot water released.

18. I already have an anti-scald valve or thermostatic mixing valves?
Our rental water heater installer will verify when they are out installing your rental tank if you currently have an anti-scald valve or thermostatic mixing valves. If they confirm you have already have them, you will not be required to rent one from us.

19. Why can’t I just lower the temperature of my tank?

According to Health Canada, decreasing the water temperature in your tank may increase the risk of dangerous bacteria, including legionella, developing. That’s why it’s not a good idea to lower the temperature of your tank as a means of complying with the Building Code and lessening the risk of burns.

20. Will the mixing valve decrease my hot water capacity?

No. The water in your tank will remain at the same temperature as it has always been, so your hot water capacity will remain the same.

21. Where can I find more information regarding this Building Code change?

Contact the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at 416-585-6666, by email at codeinfo@mah.gov.on.ca, or online at the 2006 Ontario Building Code, Subsection 7.6.5. of Division B.

22. What is a flammable vapour tank?

A flammable vapour tank is a water heater that is safer to use around combustible (flammable) vapours. It is designed to reduce the risk of explosion or fire from the combustion of a spill of solvents or other products that give off vapours near the tank. This problem is much more prevalent in the U.S., where the water heater is often installed in the garage.

23. If this is a change initiated in the U.S., why does it affect me?

The safety authority in Canada is the Canadian Standards Association. They have chosen to adopt the U.S. standard as a further precaution for water heaters sold in Canada.

24. Why have water heater tanks become more efficient?

The National Research Council increased the minimum required efficiency for natural gas water heaters to work towards emission goals for the Kyoto protocol. To boost their efficiency these tanks have more insulation, resulting in a bigger tank – part of the reason for higher manufacturing costs.