A tankless water heater is an investment for your home that gives you endless hot water. When correctly installed, tankless water heaters can work for 20+ years. But how do you install a tankless water heater?
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, we’ve worked all over the greater LA area, and we’ve seen some crazy tankless water heater installations for both gas and electric models. So we have created this article so that you fully understand how a tankless water heater should be installed for both gas and electric tankless water heaters.
In this blog post, we will discuss:
- What is a tankless water heater
- Identify what gas and electric tankless water heaters are
- Dissect how gas and electric tankless water heaters are installed
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater is a water heater that heats your water without the bulkiness of a tank. Unlike a conventional water heater that is storing the water inside of a tank, a tankless water heater has nowhere to store water and heats the water almost instantly as it moves through the heat exchanger, ultimately providing you an endless supply of hot water.
If you’re still debating on if a tankless water heater is right for you, check out this article here to learn more about the differences between a conventional and tankless water heater.
But back to tankless water heaters! There are two types of tankless water heaters: gas and electric.
What is a Gas Tankless Water Heater?
A gas tankless water heater is a tankless water heater that is powered by gas. There are two types of gas heaters: natural gas and propane. They are both similar, with their only real difference being the type of gas that is used.
Anyone can get a gas tankless water heater as they are the most common type of water heater. They can provide much more hot water, which is key for bigger households. You can easily knock out loads of dishes and laundry using only a small amount of water with a gas tankless water heater. To prolong the life of your gas tankless water heater, you will need to schedule yearly maintenance.
What is an Electric Tankless Water Heater?
An electric tankless water heater is a tankless water heater that is powered by electricity rather than gas.
Electric tankless water heaters will also need schedule yearly maintenance to prolong their lifespan. Read this article here to learn more about the two types of tankless water heater maintenance so that you are more than prepared for the different ways you can preserve your investment.
Both electric and gas tankless water heaters are a great investment. They both possess similarities and differences outside of what helps them operate. One key difference that electric and gas tankless water heaters share is how they are installed. Check out this article here as we dive deeper into the differences between gas and electric tankless water heaters.
How To Install 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, it’s important that you check with a certified technician to ensure that your gas mainline is properly sized. Additionally, it is important that someone is hired to properly dispose of the old tank.
When you are ready to install your new tankless water heater, it’s key to note that each install 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 if your home policy covers the damages caused by faults done in the installation process as not all tankless brands do so. 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, hot water tank explosions, loss of warranty.
After all, many warranties are voided in online or store-bought purchases and it could hurt property value.
Closing Out Tankless Installations
Installing a tankless water heater tank is considered an easy task if you know what you are doing. We recommend that you call a certified technician to install your tankless to avoid running into any problems such as a lack of hot water, carbon monoxide poisoning or a devalue in your home.
Want to know what kinds of tankless installations we offer here at Monkey Wrench and the ways to tell that your tankless has not been installed correctly? Check out the articles below as we dive into the two kinds of tankless installations offered at Monkey Wrench, along with the top ways a tankless water heater is installed incorrectly.
Basic vs Premium Tankless Installations with Monkey Wrench Plumbing
Top 8 Ways Tankless Water Heaters are Installed Incorrectly
When it comes to tankless water heaters, Monkey Wrench Plumbing wants to set you and your home up for success. If you live in the Los Angeles area and would like to have your tankless installed, click the “Book” button below. Or if you have any other questions regarding tankless water heaters you can call us at 310-853-8690, and one of our call center representatives would be happy to help you.
