Tankless Water Heater Installation in Marietta, GA
Tankless water heater installation in Marietta, GA is the sizing, venting, connection and setup of an on-demand water heater by a licensed plumber. A tankless unit heats water only when a tap opens, so the home never runs out of stored hot water. Call (770) 230-0611 to book installation with Plumber Marietta GA.
Tankless installation is part of our water heater and plumbing service in Marietta. Our plumbers install gas and electric tankless units and convert homes from tank to tankless.
What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater is a water heater with no storage tank that heats water as it flows through a heat exchanger. The US Department of Energy also calls these units demand-type or instantaneous water heaters.
A tankless unit works in 4 stages:
- A hot water tap opens and cold water enters the unit.
- A flow sensor detects the water movement.
- A gas burner or electric element heats the heat exchanger.
- Heated water leaves the unit and flows to the open tap.
The unit shuts off when the tap closes. No energy goes into keeping a tank of water hot around the clock. The US Department of Energy calls this saved energy “standby heat loss.”
What Are the Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater saves energy, lasts longer than a tank, frees floor space and supplies continuous hot water. These 4 benefits come from published US Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR data:
- Lower energy use: Tankless heaters are 24% to 34% more efficient than storage tanks in homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water per day. Homes that use about 86 gallons per day see 8% to 14% gains.
- Longer life: ENERGY STAR lists a life expectancy of about 20 years for tankless units. Tank water heaters last 10 to 15 years, according to the US Department of Energy.
- Lower operating cost: ENERGY STAR estimates that a typical family saves $100 or more per year with a certified tankless unit.
- Less leak risk: The US Department of Energy notes that tankless units are less prone to leaks than tank heaters because they do not store water under pressure.
Installing a tankless unit at each hot water outlet raises efficiency gains to 27% to 50%, according to the US Department of Energy.
The main trade-off is flow. A tankless heater supplies 2 to 5 gallons per minute. Running 2 showers and a dishwasher at the same time can exceed a single unit’s output, so correct sizing matters.
Gas or Electric Tankless: Which Fits a Marietta Home?
Gas tankless units fit most whole-home installations because they produce higher flow rates than electric units; electric units fit smaller homes and single fixtures. The US Department of Energy confirms that gas-fired tankless heaters produce higher flow rates than electric models.
| Factor | Gas tankless | Electric tankless |
|---|---|---|
| Flow rate | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Whole-home hot water | Small homes, single fixtures |
| Venting | Required | Not required |
| Supply needs | Correctly sized gas line | Large dedicated electrical circuits |
| Common upgrade | Gas line and vent work | Electrical panel capacity |
Homes with an existing gas tank heater often convert to gas tankless. The conversion usually needs a larger gas line and new venting. Our gas line plumber in Marietta handles gas line sizing and installation.
How Do You Size a Tankless Water Heater?
Size a tankless water heater by the total flow rate of the fixtures that run at the same time and by the temperature rise the unit must deliver. Temperature rise is the difference between the incoming cold water temperature and the hot water setting.
The plumber sizes the unit in 3 steps:
- Count simultaneous fixtures. List the showers, faucets and appliances that run together at peak time.
- Add the flow rates. Add the gallons per minute of those fixtures.
- Match the temperature rise. Choose a unit that delivers that flow at the needed rise in winter, when incoming water is coldest.
How Does Tankless Water Heater Installation Work?
A tankless water heater installation works in 6 steps: site check, removal of the old heater, mounting, gas or electric connection, venting, and testing.
- Check the site. The plumber checks gas line size, electrical capacity, vent path and wall space.
- Remove the old heater. The plumber drains, disconnects and hauls away the old tank.
- Mount the unit. The plumber mounts the tankless unit on a wall, indoors or outdoors depending on the model.
- Connect water and fuel. The plumber connects water lines with isolation valves for future descaling, then the gas line or electrical circuit.
- Install venting. Gas units receive a vent system that follows the manufacturer’s instructions and local code.
- Test the unit. The plumber checks for gas and water leaks, fires the unit and sets the temperature.
Isolation valves are a pair of service valves on the water lines that let a plumber flush the heat exchanger without cutting the pipes. Our plumber handles any permit and inspection that Cobb County or the City of Marietta requires.
How Do You Maintain a Tankless Water Heater?
Descale the heat exchanger at least once a year and clean the inlet filter. Navien, a major tankless manufacturer, recommends descaling at least once a year, with more frequent service in hard water.
Descaling is a flush that circulates a descaling solution through the heat exchanger to remove mineral scale. Scale reduces heat transfer and flow. A water softener installation in Marietta reduces scale buildup and extends the time between descaling visits.
These 3 tasks keep a tankless unit efficient:
- Descale the heat exchanger once a year.
- Rinse the cold water inlet filter.
- Inspect the vent and the condensate drain on condensing gas models.
Tankless Guides for Marietta Homeowners
Tankless units cost more upfront than tanks. Our tankless water heater cost guide for Marietta explains the price factors. Homeowners comparing both options can read tank vs tankless water heaters for Marietta homes. Homes that stay with a tank unit can book water heater repair and installation in Marietta.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a tankless water heater last?
A tankless water heater lasts about 20 years, according to ENERGY STAR. Tank water heaters last 10 to 15 years.
Does a tankless water heater run out of hot water?
A tankless water heater does not run out of stored hot water, but it has a maximum flow rate of 2 to 5 gallons per minute. Running more fixtures than the unit can supply lowers the temperature.
Is gas or electric tankless better?
Gas tankless units produce higher flow rates and fit whole-home use. Electric tankless units fit smaller homes and single fixtures.
Do I need a new gas line for a tankless water heater?
Most tank-to-tankless gas conversions need a larger gas line, because tankless burners use more gas while running. The plumber checks the line size during the site visit.
How often does a tankless water heater need descaling?
Manufacturers such as Navien recommend descaling at least once a year, with more frequent service in homes with hard water.
Book Tankless Water Heater Installation in Marietta, GA
Ready for endless hot water? Call (770) 230-0611. Plumber Marietta GA installs gas and electric tankless water heaters across Marietta, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Roswell, Acworth and Vinings.