Will Tankless Water Heater Installation in Atlanta Tear Up My House?

Here’s an inside look at tankless water heater installation in Atlanta.

If your old, tank water heater has finally given up the ghost, it may be time to consider a tankless water heater installation in Atlanta. Your water heater will affect not only your comfort in the shower and bath, but also your monthly utility bill, and even the cleanliness of your clothes!

A tankless hot water heater can address all of these problems. By heating water only when it’s needed, you aren’t always burning fuel or electricity to keep water stoked to near-boiling temperatures. The on-demand aspect means you will save money on your monthly utility bills and conserve precious natural resources in the process. Plus, you’ll never run out of hot water. Any water passing through will be heated as it goes; no need to wait for a reservoir to refill and heat up.

But wait a moment…doesn’t this all sound too good to be true? Aren’t you going to have to tear into walls and ceilings to replace your old tank system?

Absolutely not!

Here’s what you can expect when swapping out your old water heater for one of the new tankless varieties:

• You’ll have to shut off the water supply to the tank. Before pulling the old tank out, you’ll need to prevent it from refilling with water.
• Drain the old tank. It’s impossible to take out the old water heater while there are several gallons of water adding hundreds of pounds to the unit’s total weight. Removing the water should make it light enough to take out with a little bit of assistance.
• Check your fuel source. Gas or electric? And what’s the total output capacity in the area near your water heater? Both gas and electric tankless water heaters require a higher draw than other appliances, so you may need to modify what’s currently installed.
• Check the plumbing. Most people recommend the installation of a particular union connector set for the water supply. These connectors are particularly useful during routine maintenance and the de-liming processes; two pieces essential to ensuring your new tankless heater has a nice, long life.
• Remove the old water heater. After everything is disconnected, the old water heater must be thrown away. But before you toss it, make sure you know what your state regulations are with regards to appliance and water heater disposal. There may even be an option for recycling it.
• Determine where you want the new unit to go. The location isn’t only for aesthetics but also to ensure you’re complying with all the required clearance and accessibility regulations.
• Install it. Installation actually requires a variety of steps, although they can vary somewhat based on the design and manufacturer. At a minimum you will need to hook it up to the water and fuel supplies, as well as drill mounting brackets and install the required support structures to hold the unit in place on the wall. Various pipe cutting and fitting adjustments may also be necessary, depending on the location of your installation.
• Flush the system. Once it’s been installed, now is the time to turn the water back on. You’ll want to run water through the unit before the next, and final, step.
• Power it up. Once your unit is on, you should be good to go. You can test it by turning on a hot water faucet anywhere in the house and waiting to see if it arrives. It is worth pointing out here that unless you installed a continuous circulation tank (in addition to the tankless water heater), it may take a moment for the hot water to arrive at its destination. If you’re interested in having constant and immediate hot water at all times, it may be worth asking your plumber about additional options.

See? No wall wrecking or floor ripping. Just some retrofitting to bring your system into the modern age!
(Note: This is not meant to be a DIY tutorial! There are several aspects of installing a tankless water heater which require the work of a trained professional. This list is simply to illustrate the steps required, so you have a better idea of what it takes.)

Ready to Get Started Replacing Your Water Heater with a Tankless Model?

If you’re in need of tankless water heater replacement in Atlanta, don’t wait; call us today at 404-873-1881, and let our team of experts at Morningside get to work for you.