Tankless water heater install cost

They have to charge that much because it’s a tankless job.





I’m sorry, i’ll see myself out.

Do you run out of hot water with your current system? How long do you plan to live in the house? It would probably take about 10 years before you recover the higher install cost to see any savings in your utility bill by switching to tankless.

Another option is an electric hybrid heat pump water heater tank in the attic. They are energy efficient and you can get some rebate/tax credit money.

We replaced our electric tank units with a Navien gas tankless (inside the attic) about 4 years ago. Unit + installation was 6500. I don't remember which model, but it was sized to replace 2 50-gal tanks.

The Navien unit itself will be around $1500, for reference.

I had my 50 gallon electric tank in the attic replaced with an exterior State 10GPM / 199,000 BTU, non condensing gas tankless unit. I was concerned about exterior as well, but it doesn't make a difference. The unit has freeze protection.

That said, my unit is 10GPM when it's 100 degrees outside. I'm in South Louisiana, and in the winter when the water temp drops, the max I could get was 4.8GPM. Getting a condensing unit will increase that by about 1 gpm.

That said, location is critical. There's a reason you see new houses being built with a tankless on each side of the house.

Tankless is great for long uses
Tankless is not great for when you need short bursts of hot water, such as the sink, bathroom lavatory, etc..

Our tankless was installed on the "quarters" side exterior wall, so it's closest to the bedrooms / bathrooms. It is across the house from the kitchen and laundry room. Washing machine has no problem flowing enough water to get hot water in a timely manner, however the kitchen sink will never see a drop of hot water under normal use, unless you let it run for a few MINUTES. I installed a recirculating pump under my sink that uses the cold water line as the return, but that crapped out on my a few weeks ago.

If I could do it all over again, I'd keep the tankless just for the bathrooms, and install a 20-30 gallon tank for the kitchen / laundry room.

Yeah I don’t know what to do. 3k for just another tank seemed like robbery so I was thinking I might as well go all out if I have to spend that…. But I’m going to get some more estimates

We don’t usually run out of hot water. One tank does laundry, spare bath, kitchen. Other unit covers main bathrooms.

I don’t plan on being in this house 5-10 years. Going from electric to gas seems like it would save on electric bill but it seems like a big hassle and no good place to mount it

$3,000 to replace two tanks honestly doesn't seem that bad. The two tanks will cost around $1,600 or so, but considering all that's involved is hauling the tanks in the attic, and plugging into existing plumbing and wiring, it's a simple job.

One thing to consider is that the tankless unit will generally add curb appeal if you sell the house.

If running gas, then that 's a job, even to replace the tanks, since you talking about running the lines, popping holes in the roof for vents, etc.. Also depends on how much gas line needs to be run.

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$3,000 to replace two tanks honestly doesn't seem that bad.

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That was for one tank (replaced the other DIY with father in law about 3 years ago)but it will be hell getting it up the attic and getting to the back… I’ll give them that. The quote was 1900$ for a 50gallon rheem, rest was labor pretty much. I only need 40 gallon for 2 bathrooms

Thanks for input

I tried to tell him I can get a 500$ one at Home Depot that would be fine for us and he started with the big box stores don’t get the high end rheem models, etc. I don’t need all that crap, just need hot water

I think I will go tank at this point and just find someone cheaper to put one in. I’m not staying at this place long, would already be gone if it weren’t for Biden and the housing market