A stalled power vent blower is one of the most common reasons a New Westminster gas water heater won't light, and it's usually a straightforward repair.
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Quick answer
Replacing a power vent blower on a gas water heater in New Westminster typically runs $150-$650 in parts and labour, on top of a $90-$150 diagnostic call (often credited toward the repair) and $95-$165 an hour if labour is billed separately. That's a 2026 ballpark drawn from public Metro Vancouver market data, not a fixed quote — CANRO's certified gas technicians confirm the exact number once they've tested the blower and the pressure switch it feeds.
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A power-vent gas water heater uses a small electric blower mounted on top of the tank to push exhaust sideways through PVC or ABS pipe to an outside wall, instead of relying on a straight vertical chimney the way an old atmospheric tank does. That's the design most New Westminster homes end up with when the water heater sits in a basement corner with no clear run to a chimney flue. The blower has to spin up and prove airflow to a pressure switch before the gas valve is allowed to open, so when it fails, the tank usually won't ignite at all rather than running poorly.
Typical warning signs are a burner that clicks and tries to light but shuts down on lockout, a blower that rattles or hums without spinning freely, or a burnt-motor smell near the top of the tank. Some homeowners also notice the vent pipe termination outside stops showing the faint heat shimmer it normally does when the tank is running.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Power vent blower replacement (part + labour) | $150-$650 |
| Diagnostic/service call | $90-$150 (credited toward the repair) |
| Technician labour, if billed hourly | $95-$165 per hour |
The lower end covers a blower that's a direct bolt-on swap with the wiring harness already matching. The upper end shows up when the pressure switch, wiring, or the vent pipe gasket also need attention, or when the blower assembly has to be ordered rather than pulled from stock.
A blower failure on its own, on a tank that's otherwise been reliable, is almost always worth repairing rather than replacing the whole unit — it's an electrical accessory, not a sign the tank itself is failing. The judgement changes if the technician finds the tank is also rusting at the base, the anode rod has never been serviced, or this is the second or third component failure in a couple of years on an older unit; at that point a full replacement quote is worth asking for in the same visit so you're comparing real numbers, not guessing.
New Westminster's older character homes around Queen's Park and the Brow of the Hill often still run water heaters installed with a straight chimney vent, which don't have a power vent blower at all — this repair mainly applies to newer power-vent replacements installed in basements without direct chimney access, which is common in the flatter Queensborough lots as well.
Safety note
If you ever smell gas, hear hissing at a gas fitting, or a carbon-monoxide alarm sounds, leave the home immediately and call FortisBC's emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 from outside before doing anything else. Any work on the gas line, gas valve, or venting on this appliance must be done by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter; CANRO holds gas licence LGA0043870 and boiler licence LBP0046450.
That clicking is usually the igniter trying to fire while the gas valve stays closed because the pressure switch never confirmed the blower is moving air. It's one of the most common power-vent complaints and it points at the blower or the switch, not the burner itself.
You can safely vacuum visible dust off the housing exterior with the power disconnected, but the bearings and motor windings aren't a homeowner-serviceable item, and opening the sealed combustion chamber yourself risks a bad reseal on a gas appliance.
Not usually — a failing blower tends to stop the tank from lighting at all rather than causing weak heat. Inconsistent hot water more often points to sediment buildup, a burner problem, or an undersized tank for the household.
A like-for-like blower swap is typically a minor repair, but if any gas piping or venting is altered, check with the City of New Westminster's permit desk — your licensed gas fitter can confirm what applies to your specific job.
Most swaps are completed in under two hours once the technician has diagnosed the failure, assuming the part is on the truck or can be sourced quickly from a local supplier.
Possibly — manufacturer warranty terms vary and change over time, so verify your unit's certificate or registration rather than assuming coverage either way.
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