Hampton Roads' leader in water heaters.
Gas, electric, or tankless. Installed, repaired, and replaced by licensed master plumbers with 155+ years of combined experience. Most jobs finished in a single visit.
4.81,715+ Google reviews
Licensed · Bonded · Insured · VA Lic. #2701032060
Family-owned since 1968
Free Estimates On Large Jobs
For any job over $1,000, get an upfront quote before we start. Compare with confidence.
Satisfaction Guaranteed Since 1968
If something isn't right, we'll come back and make it right. That has been our promise since 1968.
Financing Available
Big job? Pay over time. Flexible financing for jobs over $1,000 with quick approval.
Gas, Electric, or Tankless
Which Water Heater Is Right for You?
Finding the right water heater depends on energy source, tank size, upfront cost, and how much hot water your household actually uses. Here's what we install and service every day across Hampton Roads.
Gas water heaters
Natural gas or propane units heat water fast with a burner, chimney, and vent shaft. Great recovery for busy households. We handle the licensed gas hookup too.
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Electric water heaters
No gas line, no chimney, no vent shaft. Just an electric heating element inside the tank. Quiet, clean, and simple to service.
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Tankless water heaters
Endless hot water on demand. Water is heated as it flows through the unit. No storage tank, smaller footprint, lower monthly bills.
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Repair & replacement
No hot water, knocking, leaks, or rusty water? We diagnose fast and repair or replace on the same visit whenever possible.
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Gas water heaters
Natural gas or propane units heat water fast with a burner, chimney, and vent shaft. Great recovery for busy households. We handle the licensed gas hookup too.
Request service
Electric water heaters
No gas line, no chimney, no vent shaft. Just an electric heating element inside the tank. Quiet, clean, and simple to service.
Request service
Tankless water heaters
Endless hot water on demand. Water is heated as it flows through the unit. No storage tank, smaller footprint, lower monthly bills.
Request service
Repair & replacement
No hot water, knocking, leaks, or rusty water? We diagnose fast and repair or replace on the same visit whenever possible.
Request serviceSwipe to explore our services
How They Work
Types of Water Heaters and How They Work
Most water heaters are powered by natural gas or electricity. Both types draw cold water into the bottom of the tank, where a heating element warms it. As the water heats, it rises to the top of the tank and stays ready for use.
Tankless water heaters use the same gas or electric heating elements, but they don't store water. Instead, water is heated on demand as it flows through the unit, giving you endless hot water and a smaller footprint.
Knowing which system fits your home, and when a repair is smarter than a full replacement, is what our master plumbers do every day.
Ask a Plumber
Not sure if you should repair or replace? Ask a real plumber.
This is for non-urgent questions — if it's an emergency, call 757.448.3620 instead.
Tell us what's going on: leaking, no hot water, weird noise, or just old? We'll tell you if it's worth repairing.
My 12-year-old gas heater is making a popping sound. Repair or replace?
58+
years Serving Hampton Roads
15
Fully stocked service trucks
24/7
Emergency Dispatch
Fuel Types
Electric & Gas Heated Homes
The right water heater depends on what's already available in your home. Here's how gas and electric systems compare for Hampton Roads households.
Gas heated homes
Homes with a natural gas or propane line can use gas water heaters, which heat water faster and recover more quickly during busy mornings. Gas units require proper venting, so we inspect the chimney and vent shaft before every installation.
- Faster recovery for large households
- Lower operating cost in many areas
- Works during power outages
Electric heated homes
Electric water heaters are simple, quiet, and don't need a gas line or venting. They're ideal for homes without gas service, smaller spaces, or homeowners who want a straightforward install with fewer maintenance requirements.
- No gas line or chimney needed
- Quieter operation
- Lower upfront installation cost
Not sure which fuel type is right for your home? Our master plumbers check your existing hookups, household size, and hot water usage, then recommend the most efficient and cost-effective setup, whether that's gas, electric, or tankless.
Watch: 30 seconds with Atomic
Meet the crew who'll show up at your door.
A quick look at how we work, why families across Hampton Roads keep calling us back, and what to expect when the blue truck pulls up.
Anatomy of a water heater
Different Components of a Water Heater
Brands, sizes, and fuel types vary, but every water heater is built from the same handful of components. When one fails, we know exactly where to look.
Electric Water Heater
Gas Water Heater
Electric & Gas
Dip tube
Carries incoming cold water down to the bottom of the tank so hot water rises to the top for use.
Electric & Gas
Tank
The insulated reservoir that holds heated water and houses nearly every other component.
Gas
Gas burner
Sits under the tank on gas units, ignited by a pilot light, heating water and venting fumes through the chimney.
Gas
Chimney & vent shaft
On gas heaters, safely routes combustion gases out of the tank and away from your home.
Electric & Gas
Heat-out pipe
Delivers heated water from the top of the tank out to your fixtures.
Electric & Gas
Thermostat
Lets you set your desired hot water temperature. Many include a vacation mode for extended time away.
Electric & Gas
T&P relief valve
Temperature & pressure safety valve that releases if the tank ever gets too hot or too pressurized.
Electric & Gas
Drain valve
Bottom-side valve that lets a garden hose flush sediment and drain the tank for service.
Electric & Gas
Anode rod
A magnesium or aluminum rod that sacrificially corrodes so your tank doesn't. Replace roughly every three years.
Electric
Electric heating element
On electric units, replaces the burner and chimney. It heats water directly from inside the tank.
Electric & Gas
Expansion tank
Absorbs the extra volume created when water heats, protecting your tank and plumbing from over-pressure.
Electric & Gas
Insulation
Wraps the tank to keep water hot and the exterior cool, a key driver of energy efficiency.
Water Heater Brands We Install
State
Rinnai
Family owned since 1968
Always A Friendly Face At Your Door.
Family owned and family operated, we're proud to be recognized as the best plumbing company in Virginia Beach.
"Mike C. and Hudson replaced my water heater and went above and beyond. Prompt, friendly, professional and knew exactly what they were doing."
"Sean was professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. He explained what was needed, gave pricing and warranty options, and replaced the water heater the same day."
"Atomic came out within two hours of my call. The plumber was respectful of our home, wore shoe covers, and fixed the gas line perfectly. So relieved."
Recognized across Hampton Roads
Proud member of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Virginia (PHCCVA)
Join 1,715+ neighbors who trust Atomic
Same-day service across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake.
Your neighbors trust us
When you see the blue truck, help has arrived.
Every Atomic truck is a fully stocked workshop on wheels - radio-dispatched, GPS-tracked, and driven by a licensed master plumber. Most repairs finish in a single visit.
58+
Years in Tidewater
24/7
Emergency Dispatch
Commonly Asked Questions
Water heater questions, answered.
How long does a water heater last?
Standard tank water heaters typically last 8–12 years. Tankless units often last 15–20 years with regular maintenance. Hard water and skipped anode-rod service shorten lifespan significantly.
What size water heater do I need?
As a rule of thumb: 1–2 people = 30–40 gal, 3–4 people = 40–50 gal, 5+ people = 50–80 gal or tankless. Peak-hour demand matters more than household size, and we'll size it right during your estimate.
Is a tankless water heater worth it?
For most Hampton Roads homes, yes. You get endless hot water, ~20–30% lower energy bills, and roughly double the lifespan. Upfront cost is higher, but the ROI usually lands in 6–10 years.
How much does water heater installation cost?
Standard 40–50 gal tank replacements typically run $1,600–$2,800 installed. Tankless installs range $3,500–$6,500 depending on gas line and venting. Every quote is flat-rate and upfront. No surprises.
Why is my water heater making a popping sound?
That's almost always sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank boiling under the burner. A flush may buy you time, but a popping heater older than 10 years is usually near end-of-life. Heavy sediment can also clog your lines, so it's worth pairing a flush with routine drain cleaning.
Do you offer same-day water heater replacement?
Yes. We stock the most common tank sizes on our trucks and can typically remove your old heater and install a new one the same day you call.
Still have a question?
Talk to a real plumber, not a bot. We usually reply within an hour.
All Services
More plumbing
Pipe Cleaning & Repairs
Aging pipes, leaks, corrosion, and repiping. Don't wait for a burst line to find out what's behind the wall.
Garbage Disposal
Installation, repair, and replacement of continuous-feed and batch-feed disposals.
Drain Cleaning & Maintenance
Kitchen, toilet, and shower drains cleared fast, plus preventative maintenance that stops clogs before they start.
Let's get it fixed.
Send a quick request and someone from our office will call you back.
- ✓Clear communicationWe text 30 minutes out - with a photo of your technician.
- ✓Transparent pricingUpfront quotes before any work begins. Never a hidden fee.
- ✓Clean & respectfulShoe covers on, tools tidy, wrapped up before we leave.
Book a friendly visit.
Form is for non-urgent requests. If it's an emergency, skip the form and call 757.448.3620