Is ventilation necessary for water heaters?

• <div><p>Not all <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/types-of-water-heaters.htm">types of water heaters</a> require a venting system. Electric tankless water heaters don’t use natural or propane gas, so no venting is required. Instead, they use electric burners to heat water quickly and efficiently. However, any system that does use gas or propane will require ventilation. </p></div>

Best water heater pros near Madison, SD

Q: What size circuit breaker does a water heater need?

• <div><p>Most standard residential water heaters, which are typically around 40 gallons and use 240 volts and between 3,500 and 5,500 watts, require a 30-amp, two-pole circuit breaker. For smaller, point-of-use water heaters using 120 volts and between 1,500 and 3,000 watts, a 30-amp breaker is also often adequate. However, some models may have different needs; units that use more watts than average may require a 40-amp breaker, while smaller units might only need a 20-amp breaker. Newer, tankless, or more energy-efficient models can also require a higher amperage. Having the correct breaker size is crucial for safe and efficient operation, so it's best to consult a licensed electrician to determine the specific needs of your water heater.</p></div>

Q: How long does it take to replace a hot water heater element?

• <div><p>It takes between one and three hours to replace a hot water heater element, depending on whether you hire a pro or do the work yourself. For example, a professional plumber with all the necessary tools and experience can often finish the job in one to two hours, whereas DIY will take two to three hours because it'll involve more preparation and troubleshooting.</p></div>

Q: What is the proper way to vent a gas water heater?

• <div><p>The right way to vent a gas water heater is to have a pipe directly upward or slopes upward out of the house. Because hot air naturally rises, this type of venting will efficiently ensure that all gas moves out of the house. Your system may rely on fans or blowers as well.</p></div>

Q: Can you vent a gas water heater out the side of the house?

• <div><p>You can and should vent the gas from your hot water heater to the outside of your home. Traditionally, these gases were vented back to other gas appliances, like stoves or furnaces, but many jurisdictions have outlawed this practice due to the risks it provides. </p><p>Most water heaters today use atmospheric venting that exhausts the gas out of the home through a pipe.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Water Heater Service pros in Madison, SD

*The Angi rating for Water Heater Service companies in Madison, SD is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Water Heater Service companies in Madison, SD is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

Last update on July 21, 2026

Reviewed in July 2026
Eric worked as hard as he could to get it to work in our budget, and spent a great deal of time describing the product and company.
DaBella - Sioux Falls (Siding)
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Reviewed in January 2026
Rebuild a storm damaged building
RH General Construction
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Reviewed in December 2025
Chris did an AMAZING job! He is so personable, professional, timely, and knowledgeable. Thank you, CHRIS!!
Triple H Electric LLC
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Reviewed in July 2025
Everything was great, no missed appointments, and the installation was done in a half a day. I can feel and hear a difference right now (July 4th) between the old windows and new windows.
Mad City Windows & Baths
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Reviewed in January 2025
Got the job done right. Very professional, knowledgeable. High attention to detail and keeps the work area clean.
Haiar Craftsman, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2024
Wills Painting was very professional. Had excellent suggestions on colorâ s and very knowledgeable on solving issues that occur with an older home. Job was completed on time and we would definitely recommend this company.
Wills Painting
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Reviewed in February 2024
Nnthing it was great. Thanyou
Merit Heating and Air Conditioning
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Reviewed in January 2023
I had an amazing experience from start to finish with my new custom home build with full landscaping. The house is exactly what was planned for and is beyond our expectations. For the landscape I had a paver patio, gazebo, deck, hot tub, fire pit, stone table, outdoor kitchen, sod with...
SD Alternative Services Corp
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Reviewed in October 2022
They will be coming back to my house next year!! They exceeded my expectations. The window cleaners were so nice they asked questions & made sure everything was done, they were quick & out of here in no time. My windows have NEVER been this clean. They did my windows inside & outside & my...
Window Genie of Sioux Falls
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Reviewed in April 2022
Seth was very easy to work with and was accommodating to our schedule. He did really great work.
Morgan Welding, LLC
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Top-Rated Water heater pros in Madison - Updated Nov 2026

Sioux Falls Plumbing LLC

5.0(

)

Tankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For BusinessTankless Water Heater - Repair+5 more

Serving Madison, SD and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

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Ekern Plumbing Heating and A/C

5.0(

)

Water Heater - Install or Replace

Serving Madison, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 1947

Warranties offered

Credit card accepted

"Ekerns did a great job when we built our house in 2008 with heating, A/C,and plumbing. If we have a problem they will either come out the same day or the next. They also did a great job when we built living quarters in our shed for our daughter this year."

Response time2 days

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,689

)

Solar Water Heater System - InstallTankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For Business+6 more

Serving Madison, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"We pay yearly but we have this is included with our rental property. They are pretty good on most things. We had a hot water heater replaced and they did an excellent job on that. They are very quick on their response. They dont come out here. It is all done on the internet. I just like the idea that one time service charge is so much better than trying to hiring someone to come in. It is more about convenience. It pays for itself."

Recommended by65%of homeowners

Water Heater - Install or ReplaceWater Heater - Repair or Service

Serving Madison, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

We take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumer's needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job. \n

Response time50 mins

Recommended by88%of homeowners

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Emerald River Plumbing & Drain

New to Angi

Tankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - RepairWater Heater - Install or Replace+1 more

Serving Madison, SD and surrounding areas

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Residential Plumbing and Service. \nDrain Clearing, water heater install /repair, home repipes, gas lines, leaking toilets and fixtures. 10 Years Experience

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Water Heaters FAQs, answered by experts

Most standard residential water heaters, which are typically around 40 gallons and use 240 volts and between 3,500 and 5,500 watts, require a 30-amp, two-pole circuit breaker. For smaller, point-of-use water heaters using 120 volts and between 1,500 and 3,000 watts, a 30-amp breaker is also often adequate. However, some models may have different needs; units that use more watts than average may require a 40-amp breaker, while smaller units might only need a 20-amp breaker. Newer, tankless, or more energy-efficient models can also require a higher amperage. Having the correct breaker size is crucial for safe and efficient operation, so it's best to consult a licensed electrician to determine the specific needs of your water heater.

It takes between one and three hours to replace a hot water heater element, depending on whether you hire a pro or do the work yourself. For example, a professional plumber with all the necessary tools and experience can often finish the job in one to two hours, whereas DIY will take two to three hours because it'll involve more preparation and troubleshooting.

The right way to vent a gas water heater is to have a pipe directly upward or slopes upward out of the house. Because hot air naturally rises, this type of venting will efficiently ensure that all gas moves out of the house. Your system may rely on fans or blowers as well.

You can and should vent the gas from your hot water heater to the outside of your home. Traditionally, these gases were vented back to other gas appliances, like stoves or furnaces, but many jurisdictions have outlawed this practice due to the risks it provides.

Most water heaters today use atmospheric venting that exhausts the gas out of the home through a pipe.

Not all types of water heaters require a venting system. Electric tankless water heaters don’t use natural or propane gas, so no venting is required. Instead, they use electric burners to heat water quickly and efficiently. However, any system that does use gas or propane will require ventilation.

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