Giant 40 gallon electric hot water tank, installed
About 182 litres of hot water in the more compact of our two sizes. Sold and installed by M. Chauffe-Eau GL, the same day, in Montreal, in Laval, on the North Shore and on the South Shore.
- Arrival
- On site in about 4 hours
- Service
- Open 24/7
- Price
- From a photo, in under an hour
The compact one. It fits in anywhere.
Quick quote
A 40 gallon for your home?
We check it's the right size, then get back to you with a price within the hour.
- We count people, not square feet.
- If the 60 suits you better, we'll say so.
- A photo of the rating plate replaces the visit.
Both sizes, to the same scale
This size · 40 galThe other size · 60 gal
The Giant 40 gallon: about 182 litres of hot water.
A 40 gallon: for how many people?
For 1 to 2 people, according to CAA-Québec, which recommends this size for small households (June 2026). It's the tank for the apartment, the couple and the house the kids have left.
The head count doesn't tell the whole story. In the CMMTQ calculation published by La Presse, a family of four taking 5-minute showers gets by on 26 gallons, while the same family taking 10-minute showers needs close to 50. So a 40 can serve more people than you'd think, or run dry before the third shampoo.
To settle it for your household, try the size-by-household picker.
Specifications
The specs of the Giant model we install in 40 gallon.
| Specification | Giant 40 gallon |
|---|---|
| Model | Giant 152 size, in every Giant electric line. The exact model comes with your price. |
| Capacity | 40 imperial gallons, the usual Quebec size |
| Capacity on the rating plate | 49 US gallons and 184 litres (41 imperial gallons), on Giant's sheet |
| Heating elements | Two, upper and lower, 3,000 W on most models, 3,800 W on some. Only one heats at a time. |
| Voltage | 240 V |
| Breaker and wire | 20 A breaker and #12 wire, per Giant's manual |
| Diameter and height | 22 in across (56 cm), 49¼ in tall (125 cm), per Giant's sheet |
| Cold water inlet | ¾ in connections on top. On the Cascade lines, cold water enters near the bottom. |
To estimate the current yourself: watts ÷ 240 volts. A 3,000 W element draws 12.5 A. Breaker details are on our Giant hot water tanks page.
What the installed price includes
The price we give you is the tank in place and running. The installation includes:
Work order
No.
Power and water shut off, old tank drained
Old tank disconnected and carried out
Giant 40 gallon set in place
Cold and hot water connections
Electrical hookup to the existing circuit
Relief valve and discharge pipe
Tank filled and air purged
Powered up and temperature checked
The old tank leaves with us
Need more hot water?
If someone always ends up under lukewarm water, the tank may be too small for the house. The 60 gallon hot water tank holds about 273 litres, half again as much as the 40, and CAA-Québec recommends it for 3 to 4 people.
If the lukewarm water showed up overnight, it's often an element or a thermostat. That can be repaired.
Installed in Montreal, in Laval, on the North Shore and on the South Shore
We install the 40 gallon in all four of our areas: Montreal, Laval, the North Shore and the South Shore. Each area has its own number, shown on its page.
On site in about 4 hours. We pick up 24/7: nights, weekends and holidays too.
40 gallon hot water tank: questions
How much does an installed 40 gallon hot water tank cost?
It depends on the installation at your place: access, the fittings already there, anything that needs adding. Send a photo of the rating plate and the tank. We'll get back to you with your price, installation included, in under an hour.
How long does a 40 gallon hot water tank last?
Generally 10 to 15 years depending on the manufacturer, according to CAA-Québec. Most home insurers still require a replacement after 10 years, again according to CAA-Québec, so check your policy. The year of manufacture is printed on the rating plate. More in our guide to hot water tank lifespan.
How many amps does a 40 gallon hot water tank need?
Divide the element wattage by 240 volts. A 3,000 W element draws 12.5 amps, and Giant's manual then recommends a 20 A breaker with #12 wire. That's the wattage of most Giant 40 gallon tanks. Some have a 3,800 W element: about 15.8 A, still on a 20 A breaker.
What are the dimensions of a 40 gallon hot water tank?
Giant's Standard spec sheet lists this size at 22 inches in diameter (56 cm) and just over 49 inches tall (125 cm). Measure the space, or send us a photo taken from a step or two back.
Do I need an expansion tank?
Sometimes. Giant's manual calls for an expansion tank when the cold water supply line has a water meter, a check valve or a pressure reducing valve. Along with the photo of the plate, send one of the pipes above the tank.
My old tank is a 40. Should I get the same again?
If nobody runs short of hot water, yes. If the house has filled up since, look at the 60 gallon. As La Presse pointed out, replacing like for like isn't automatic, and it's worth a minute's thought.
Sources
- Chauffe-eau : quelle capacité choisir pour votre maison? (in French, updated June 29, 2026), CAA-Québec, consulted September 27, 2026
- Quelle capacité de chauffe-eau choisir? (in French, Carole Thibaudeau, February 23, 2015), La Presse, consulted September 27, 2026
- Residential Electric Water Heater, installation instructions and owner's manual (GI-IM017En), Giant, consulted September 27, 2026
- Residential Electric Water Heaters: Standard, Cascade, Super Cascade, specification sheet (GI-PB019En), Giant, consulted September 27, 2026
A 40 gallon to replace? Send a photo
Your price in under an hour, 24/7, in Montreal, in Laval, on the North Shore and on the South Shore.