Have you just bought a tankless water heater and are ready to learn how much it will cost to install? Look no further!
Buying a tankless water heater is just the first step to having endless hot water. The next step is installing the water heater. While you can do it yourself, Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air recommends that you hire a certified technician to install your tankless water heater so that you can get the most out of your investment.
In this article, we will discuss:
- How to Install a Tankless Water Heater
- Costs to Install a Tankless Water Heater
- Factors that affect the cost of installing a tankless
- If you can install a tankless water heater yourself
By the end of this, you will not only better understand the cost of installing a tankless water heater but also know if you can do the job yourself or if you should reach out to a certified technician for help.
Installing a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters come in a variety of sizes and types, including gas and electric, as well as single-room (or point-of-use) and whole-house models. So installing a tankless water heater is not a “one-size fits all” situation.
Because tankless water heaters use more gas than even the largest home furnace, you must check with a certified technician to ensure that your gas mainline is properly sized. When you are ready to install your new tankless water heater, it’s key to note that each installation requires a specific vent for your particular model. Additionally, the new water heater may have to be wired in if there is a good power source near your home. An upgrade to your gas pipes may also be necessary, but you should check out this article here to see if that applies to you.
It is also important to note that some warranties may not cover damages that come from improper tankless water heater installations. With all of this in mind, it is usually a good idea to hire a professional to install a tankless water heater.
While it is possible to install your tankless water heater, it’s not a job for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers. This is because there are many risks involved with installing a tankless yourself, including carbon monoxide leaks and loss of warranty.
Costs To Install a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heater installation costs $300 to $2,500. The overall price of installation depends on several factors, including size, type, labor, upgrades to venting or gas lines, and if the unit is gas or electric. We here at Monkey Wrench offer two different options when it comes to tankless installation: basic and premium.
Check out this article here as we share more about what basic and premium tankless installations are with Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air.
Factors Affecting Tankless Installation Costs
The price to install a tankless water heater varies on many factors. Just like a car, each tankless water heater brand has its base prices, but the price of installing the water heater will go up or down depending on:
- Size
- The size of your tankless water heater is one key factor that determines the overall price of installation. Which size you need depends on the number of people in your household and your hot water needs. Check out this article here as we go into more detail as to how to determine which size tankless is right for you.
- The size of your tankless water heater is one key factor that determines the overall price of installation. Which size you need depends on the number of people in your household and your hot water needs. Check out this article here as we go into more detail as to how to determine which size tankless is right for you.
- Gas or Electric Tankless Water Heaters
- Switching from gas to electric tankless water heaters or vice versa can be costly when it comes to installing a tankless. For example, switching from electric to gas requires new gas lines, which may add an extra $1,500–$2,300 to installation.
- Switching from gas to electric tankless water heaters or vice versa can be costly when it comes to installing a tankless. For example, switching from electric to gas requires new gas lines, which may add an extra $1,500–$2,300 to installation.
- Location
- The location of the tankless water heater in your home will influence the cost of installation. For example, if the water heater has to be placed in the basement or a corner of the attic, these difficult-to-reach areas can drive up the installation cost.
- The location of the tankless water heater in your home will influence the cost of installation. For example, if the water heater has to be placed in the basement or a corner of the attic, these difficult-to-reach areas can drive up the installation cost.
- Venting
- Venting is one common factor that is forgotten when considering a tankless water heater, but it is important since toxic fumes (such as carbon monoxide) could enter your home. For example, if you are switching from a conventional to a tankless water heater, you may need to update the venting in your home. Now, this is not the only circumstance that requires you to switch up the venting in your home.
Read this article here to see if you may need to update your venting for your tankless water heater.
- Venting is one common factor that is forgotten when considering a tankless water heater, but it is important since toxic fumes (such as carbon monoxide) could enter your home. For example, if you are switching from a conventional to a tankless water heater, you may need to update the venting in your home. Now, this is not the only circumstance that requires you to switch up the venting in your home.
- Materials
- Water heater installation requires many different materials, including venting pipes, pressure valves, piping for water and gas, and more. What a certified technician will ultimately use will depend on your household's needs. We recommend that you call an experienced technician to evaluate your home to help you better determine what you need.
- Water heater installation requires many different materials, including venting pipes, pressure valves, piping for water and gas, and more. What a certified technician will ultimately use will depend on your household's needs. We recommend that you call an experienced technician to evaluate your home to help you better determine what you need.
- Add-ons
- Not every tankless water heater comes with all the bells and whistles. A certified technician is the one who installs add-ons such as electrical connections, isolation valves, water filtration, expansion tanks, neutralizers, and more. With the addition of the add-ons comes a higher installation cost.
- Not every tankless water heater comes with all the bells and whistles. A certified technician is the one who installs add-ons such as electrical connections, isolation valves, water filtration, expansion tanks, neutralizers, and more. With the addition of the add-ons comes a higher installation cost.
- Labor
- It almost goes without saying, but there is a lot of work that goes into installing a tankless water heater. Factors such as: removing a previous conventional water heater, relocating your tankless water heater, or converting from gas to electric tankless will cause your tankless water heater installation price to rise. For example, a certified technician may charge more to remove a previous conventional water heater for a new tankless.
Can I Install a Tankless Water Heater Myself?
Knowing the costs involved with installing a tankless water heater, you must be wondering if it is possible to install a tankless yourself. The answer is both yes and no, however, we do not recommend this project for the average DIY (do-it-yourself) homeowner. Many homes must be adapted and meet code requirements to accommodate a tankless water heater safely, which could require new wiring or gas lines, new piping, and fittings.
Hiring a certified technician is the best route to go to ensure that you meet all the code and permit requirements. They can even make sure that you get the right equipment for your home.
Closing Out Tankless Installation Costs
The cost of installing a tankless water heater is not black and white. Several different factors affect the cost of tankless installation, including location, size, add-ons, materials, and labor. While it is certainly possible to do it yourself, you are going to want to contact an experienced plumber to have your water heater properly installed. Improper installation can lead to damage to your pipes, plumbing system, home, and even the water heater itself.
Knowing how much a water heater costs, surely you don’t want to damage such a huge investment.
Continue your tankless installation knowledge by clicking the links below as we go into further detail on how a tankless is installed, along with how Monkey Wrench installs tankless water heaters.
How To Install a Tankless Water Heater
Basic vs Premium Tankless Water Heater Installations with Monkey Wrench
If you live in the Los Angeles area and are ready to have your tankless water heater installed, click the “Book” button below. Or if you have any further questions regarding tankless installations or anything tankless water heater-related, give us a call at 310-853-8690, and one of our call center representatives would be happy to help you.
