Frequently Asked Questions

A point-of-use (POU) tankless water heater is a compact, electric unit installed right where you need hot water — under a sink, in a bathroom cabinet, or near an appliance. Unlike a whole-home system in the basement, a POU heater heats water instantly on demand, only when the tap is open.

Because there's no tank to keep hot 24/7, you eliminate standby heat loss entirely. For kitchens, laundry sinks, and secondary bathrooms that get light use, a POU unit can cut water heating costs at that fixture by up to 50%. TapHeat carries 3 kW, 6 kW, and 8 kW models to match your flow requirements.

Pricing in Canada ranges widely by type and capacity:

• Mini point-of-use electric (3–8 kW): $60–$200 at wholesale — ideal for single sinks or secondary bathrooms
• Whole-home electric (18–36 kW): $300–$900
• Whole-home gas/propane: $700–$1,500+

Installation adds $200–$600 depending on electrical panel work (240V circuits) or gas line upgrades required. TapHeat sells tankless water heaters at 30–60% below retail, so you're getting the unit at wholesale and saving on the biggest cost driver. Read our full Canada buyer's guide for detailed price comparisons.

Mini electric point-of-use heaters (3–8 kW on 120V or 240V) are DIY-friendly if you're comfortable with basic electrical work. The unit connects to a dedicated circuit with two wires, a ground, and a water inlet/outlet. No soldering, no gas lines.

Whole-home units and anything requiring a 240V panel upgrade should be handled by a licensed electrician or plumber. In Canada, electrical work typically requires permits for anything beyond plug-in or simple fixture replacements. Our step-by-step installation guide walks through the full process for POU units.

Electricity use depends on the wattage and how long the tap runs. A 3 kW unit drawing power for 10 minutes uses 0.5 kWh — about $0.07 at average Canadian hydro rates (~$0.14/kWh).

• 3 kW: Low-flow sinks, warm rinse water — uses ~0.5 kWh for 10 min of use
• 6 kW: Standard kitchen/bathroom sink — uses ~1 kWh per 10 min
• 8 kW: Higher-flow showers or multiple points — uses ~1.3 kWh per 10 min

Because the heater only runs when water flows, daily actual consumption is a fraction of these figures. Compare that to a 40-gallon tank heater running 3–5 hours daily just to maintain temperature.

Size is determined by two factors: your incoming cold water temperature and your desired flow rate (litres per minute). In Canada, cold water enters at 5–15°C depending on the season and province.

• Kitchen sink (warm rinse/handwashing): 3 kW is sufficient at low flow (1–2 LPM)
• Bathroom sink (regular handwashing): 3–6 kW depending on how hot you want it
• Bathroom shower (single head): 8–11 kW for comfortable temperature in Canadian winters
• Multiple simultaneous fixtures: 18–36 kW for whole-home coverage

When in doubt, size up — an undersized unit delivers lukewarm water at full flow. Email us with your province and use case and we'll recommend the right unit.

Yes, particularly for homes with high hot water demand or properties with multiple bathrooms. The case is strongest when you're replacing an aging tank that's already due for replacement — you avoid the ongoing standby heat loss (which accounts for 15–25% of water heating costs on a tank system) and get unlimited hot water.

Point-of-use units pay for themselves fastest: a $100 POU unit at a kitchen sink used 2–3 times daily will offset its cost in 1–2 years through energy savings vs. running hot water from a distant central heater. Read our full analysis: Best Point-of-Use Tankless Water Heaters in Canada.

The core difference is storage vs. on-demand heating:

• Tank heater: Stores 40–60 gallons of pre-heated water 24/7. You'll never "wait" for heat, but you pay to keep that water hot all day even when nobody's home. Runs out if demand exceeds tank capacity.
• Tankless (on-demand): Heats water only when the tap is open. No tank, no standby heat loss, no running out of hot water. Requires higher electrical capacity at point of use (3–8 kW for POU, up to 36 kW for whole-home).

Tankless units last 15–20+ years vs. 8–12 for tank heaters. For Canadian homes, the combination of long winters (higher demand), expensive electricity in some provinces, and the cost of flooding risk from failed tanks makes tankless a strong long-term choice.

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a flexible plastic pipe used for hot and cold water supply lines. It's become the dominant material in new Canadian residential construction for three reasons: cost, flexibility, and freeze resistance.

• Cost: PEX is 25–50% cheaper than copper per linear foot
• Installation speed: Flexible coils bend around joists without elbows; fewer fittings = faster installs and fewer leak points
• Freeze resistance: PEX expands when frozen and typically returns to shape, unlike copper which splits
• Corrosion-free: No pitting, no pinhole leaks from acidic water chemistry

TapHeat carries PEX fittings and accessories for both expansion (PEX-A) and crimp/clamp (PEX-B) systems.

Yes. PEX is fully rated for both hot and cold water supply lines. Standard PEX-B is rated to 82°C (180°F) at 100 psi, which exceeds any residential hot water temperature. PEX-A (Uponor/Rehau) carries similar ratings.

The only restriction: PEX cannot be directly connected to a water heater's hot outlet — you need 18 inches of copper or CPVC between the heater and the PEX start point to protect against the extreme heat near the heating element. Beyond that transition, PEX runs the full length of your hot water lines without issue.

Tool requirements depend on which PEX system you're using:

• PEX-B crimp fittings: Crimp tool + go/no-go gauge (most common DIY setup, $40–$80 for the tool)
• PEX-B clamp/cinch fittings: Cinch clamp tool (~$25) — easier single-hand operation vs. crimp
• PEX-A expansion fittings: Expansion tool (Milwaukee, Uponor) — $200–$400, used professionally for larger jobs
• All PEX: Tubing cutter (clean square cuts prevent leaks), pipe reamer, and deburring tool

For a whole-house supply system, a crimp or cinch tool pays for itself on the first project vs. copper soldering equipment. Browse our PEX fittings and accessories.

Both are PEX, but manufactured with different cross-linking processes that affect flexibility and connection method:

• PEX-A (Engel method): More flexible, has "shape memory" — kinked pipe recovers with a heat gun. Uses expansion ring fittings that create the strongest, most leak-resistant connection. More expensive. Brands: Uponor, Rehau, Watts.
• PEX-B (silane method): Slightly stiffer, less flexible in cold temperatures. Uses brass insert fittings with copper crimp rings or stainless cinch clamps. Less expensive and more widely available. Brands: SharkBite PEX, most box-store PEX.

For most DIY supply line work and repairs, PEX-B with crimp or cinch fittings is the practical choice — widely available, affordable tooling, and reliable. PEX-A is worth the premium on full repipes or radiant floor systems where connection count is high.

For most Canadian households: yes, if you're already renovating a bathroom or replacing an aging toilet. The entry price for a quality smart toilet or bidet seat has dropped significantly — TapHeat carries models starting under $400.

The primary value drivers: bidet function (reduces toilet paper use by 75–80%), heated seat (year-round comfort in Canadian winters), and self-cleaning nozzle (reduces cleaning frequency). Secondary features like auto-flush, deodorizer, and night light add convenience without changing the economics.

Read our full analysis: Smart Toilets in Canada: Are They Worth It? — including a price table comparing entry-level bidet seats, mid-range combo units, and high-end integrated smart toilets.

Most bidet seats and entry-level smart toilet combos need only a standard 3/8" cold water supply connection (the same line your toilet tank already uses) and a nearby 120V GFCI outlet. No new plumbing, no hot water line required for most models — the seat's internal heater warms the water.

Higher-end units with warm water from a dedicated supply need a hot water connection, which may require a small plumber visit. But for 80% of smart toilet and bidet seat installs, if you have a functioning toilet and an outlet within reach, you're set. Full replacement smart toilet units (one-piece designs) require only the same rough-in dimensions as your existing toilet — typically 12".

Features vary by tier, but common options include:

• Bidet function: Adjustable water pressure, temperature, and nozzle position for front and rear wash
• Heated seat: Adjustable temperature, typically 3–5 settings
• Warm air dryer: Reduces or eliminates toilet paper use
• Auto-open/close lid: Proximity sensor raises/lowers lid automatically
• Auto-flush: Flush triggered when you stand
• Deodorizer: Carbon filter neutralizes odors
• Night light: Ambient lighting for nighttime use without overhead lights
• Self-cleaning nozzle: Pre/post-wash nozzle rinse
• Remote or app control: Adjust all settings from a remote or smartphone

Browse TapHeat smart toilets — all models include Canadian electrical standards compliance.

Yes. TapHeat ships to all Canadian provinces and territories — from British Columbia to Newfoundland, and north to Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Free shipping applies to orders over $200 CAD (most orders).

All orders ship from our Canadian warehouse. Remote northern communities may have extended delivery windows and courier limitations — contact us before ordering if you're in a remote location so we can confirm the best shipping option.

We accept returns on unused, uninstalled items in original packaging within 30 days of delivery. Items must be in resalable condition with all original accessories and documentation included.

To start a return, email tapheat@polsia.app with your order number and reason for return. We'll provide a return shipping label. Refunds are processed within 5 business days of receiving the returned item. Note: special-order or custom items are non-refundable, and installed plumbing fixtures cannot be returned for health and safety reasons.

Yes — wholesale pricing is available for contractors, property managers, builders, and commercial buyers. Our wholesale program includes volume discounts, priority processing, and dedicated account support.

All TapHeat pricing is already 30–60% below retail MSRP. Wholesale customers unlock additional tiers based on volume. Minimum order quantities apply for the deepest discounts. Apply for wholesale access or email tapheat@polsia.app with your business details.

Standard shipping timelines from our Canadian warehouse:

• Ontario, Quebec, BC: 2–4 business days
• Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan: 3–5 business days
• Atlantic provinces (NB, NS, PEI, NL): 4–6 business days
• Northern territories (YT, NT, NU): 7–14 business days (carrier-dependent)

Orders placed before 2 PM ET on business days typically ship same day. You'll receive a tracking number via email when your order ships. Expedited shipping is available at checkout for time-sensitive orders.