Business ProfileforKent Building Supplies - Halifax

On or about November 1 we purchased a ***. ***** Hybrid Hot water tank from KENT Building Supplies in Dartmouth Crossing. We received an ********** **** ****** grant of $500 as this water heater is operated as a heat pump and as a result it provides residental hot water at a fraction of the cost of a regular electric hot water heater. The cost of the unit was $ 2,794.99 plus tax less $500. The unit was delivered by KENT on or about November 2. The unit was installed and operational on November 3, 2023. Our old hot water heater was producing an odor and as it was at least 15 years old we decided to replace it with an efficient modern hot water heater. While we were discussing the purchase of the unit with KENT staff there was no discussion of where our water came from or he possibility that the normally installed anode would be appropriate for our conditioned well water. The new hot water functioned well especially during our vacation with the unit set on vacation mode which met it was not making hot water while we were away and wasting energy. There was however on our return an odor in the hot water. We changed the water filter with 5 micron chlorine, taste & odor filter thinking that would solve the odor problem. It did not. We contacted our local water treatment contractor who routinely services our water treatment equipment thinking it might be the problem. The water treatment equipment is operational and not responsible for the odor as it was pointed out that the odor only occurs in the hot water. We contacted KENT who after some discussion offered an aluminum anode rod to replace the one currently installed the hot water tank. Apparently well water is better treated with an Aluminum anode. Since the Hybrid Hot water tank has a heat pump installed on top of the water tank where the anode rod in located I was concerned that the removal and installation of a new anode rod might put the heat pump and our 10 year warranty in jeopardy so I asked if KENT would install the new rod. I was advised that they would not. KENT contacted ***. ***** who considered replacing the anode but also refused to replace the anode but they would provide the alternate anode free of charge. After learning that ***. *****, the manufacturer of the hybrid Hot water tank, offers 2 different anodes depending on the source of the water. I now understand that the Aluminum anode is optional and not the standard anode installed but reserved for special condition like well water. It seemed to me that that question should have been posed during the purchase phase of the transaction. It was not. KENT delivered the hot water tank to an area not serviced by municipal water but rather well water. Surely, a competent and knowledgeable seller should have made that determination and advised the buyer of the potential problem and offered a solution. Our hot water tank would have had to be a special order but the delay would not have changed our decision to buy that particular unit. We are no confronted with an odor in the water and an anode that will correct the problem but will have to hire at our cost a professional to install the alternate anode rod. We will undertake the hiring of a professional but feel that KENT should reimburse us for the total cost of labour.