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Whether you're replacing a failing unit, upgrading to tankless, or installing a water heater for a new home, the right system — sized correctly and installed to code — makes all the difference in performance, efficiency, and longevity.
Team Built To Serve
Health · Safety · Reliability
Lake Stevens, WA
Field Experience Still Matters
Stars and Stripes Plumbing installs all major brands of tank and tankless water heaters for homeowners across Lake Stevens, Everett, Marysville, Arlington, Snohomish, and surrounding Snohomish County communities. We help you choose the right unit, install it professionally, and back the work with a 1-year workmanship warranty.
Tank water heaters store and heat a fixed volume of water, ready when you need it. They're straightforward, affordable upfront, and work well for households with moderate hot water demand.
Best for: Homes with existing tank infrastructure, budget-conscious replacements, and households where simultaneous hot water use is limited.
Considerations: Tank units have a finite recovery rate — once the stored hot water is depleted, you wait for it to reheat. Standby heat loss also reduces efficiency compared to tankless systems.
Tankless systems heat water on demand, which means endless hot water and no standby energy loss. They last longer than tank units (typically 20+ years vs. 10–12 for tanks) and can lower monthly utility bills.
Best for: Homes with high hot water demand, energy-conscious homeowners, and properties where space is at a premium.
Considerations: Higher upfront cost, potential need for gas line or electrical panel upgrades, and proper sizing is critical — an undersized tankless unit can't keep up with simultaneous fixtures.
We'll walk you through the trade-offs honestly and help you select the system that fits your home, your water usage, and your budget.
Every water heater installation follows our seven-step process:
We install and service all major water heater brands, including Rheem, A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Navien, Rinnai, and Takagi. We're also happy to advise on energy efficiency ratings, available rebates, and warranty-backed units.
we assess your household's hot water demand and recommend appropriately sized systems
you see the equipment options, pricing, and trade-offs before deciding
licensed plumbers, permit coordination, and documented materials
we test temperature, pressure relief valve, and proper venting
workspaces wiped down, debris removed, old unit hauled away
we review the installation, explain maintenance, and provide warranty information
An undersized water heater means cold showers during peak demand. An oversized one means you're paying to heat water you don't use. Proper sizing is the single most important factor in water heater satisfaction.
For tank systems, we calculate based on:
For tankless systems, we calculate based on:
Snohomish County's colder groundwater means tankless systems here need higher GPM ratings than the same home in a warmer climate. We account for this in every recommendation — because an undersized tankless unit in January is a problem you don't want to discover firsthand.
A properly maintained water heater lasts longer, runs more efficiently, and is far less likely to fail unexpectedly. We recommend:
Ask about our Healthy Home Membership for scheduled preventive maintenance, or call us to set up a one-time flush and inspection.
removes sediment buildup that reduces efficiency and damages the tank lining
the sacrificial rod protects your tank from internal corrosion; replacing it every 2–3 years can extend tank life significantly
ensures the safety valve is functioning properly
120°F is the recommended safe and efficient setting
If you're experiencing any of these, call (425) 244-6349 to schedule a consultation. We'll assess your current system and recommend whether replacement or repair makes the most sense.
If your water heater is under 10 years old and the issue is a specific component — heating element, thermostat, gas valve, or anode rod — repair may be the better path. Our water heater repair and replacement page covers diagnostic symptoms, repair-vs-replace decisions, and common fixes. Water heater repair and replacement →
We service single-family homes, townhouses, and multi-unit properties throughout Lake Stevens, Everett, Monroe, Marysville, Arlington, Granite Falls, and surrounding areas. We're always nearby and ready to respond.
Call (425) 244-6349 to schedule a water heater consultation. We'll help you choose the right system, install it to code, and make sure your home has reliable hot water for years to come.
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