As a homeowner on a budget, you sometimes need to fix a problem in your house yourself. Not every leak, creak, crack, or loose screw requires hiring a professional service technician or handyman.

Obviously, certain major home improvement projects do require trained and experienced professionals, Unless you’re an HVAC technician, you would not consider installing a central air conditioning system in your home. Too many risks. Similarly, installing a tankless water heater is not a DIY project. Work with trained tankless water heater installers to ensure your project is a success.

Aspects to Consider for Tankless System Installation

Even though tankless water heaters are rather compact units, a system installation has many steps and considerations, which require a variety of skills, tools, and equipment. In case you have any doubts, here is a link to the 69-page Installation Manual for Navien’s NPE Condensing Water Heaters (large PDF opens in new window)

The first thing to consider is which tankless unit(s) to install. The proper system will need to accommodate the volume of hot water your family uses, the size of your house, and the number of faucets connected to it.

This is where it really helps to receive input from professional tankless water heater installers. Other factors need to be calculated into the equation of which tankless system will best fit your needs:

• How will your local climate affect the temperature of hot water?
• How many faucets and appliances will simultaneously require hot water?
• What water temperatures and flow rate will those outlets require?
• Will an electric or gas system be best?

Another important aspect of the project is to determine whether or not your infrastructure can handle a tankless water heating system. Your home’s current venting, electrical and/or piping systems may need adjustments or upgrades to handle the tankless system you’re considering. Before you buy a new tankless water heater, be sure your home’s infrastructure is capable of meeting the unit’s operational specifications.

An experienced tankless water heater installer will be able to calculate the proper system and installation schematic for your home. In addition, he’ll already have the tools, fittings and pipes needed for the job.

Out With The Old, In With The New

Before your tankless system can be connected, the water in your home will need to be shut off. For a gas system, your technician will also need to turn off the gas and disconnect it from the water tank, without letting any gas leak out.

The old water storage tank will need to be drained and removed. Properly disposing of the old tank is another consideration your installer can take care of.

Your tankless system may require a different vent connection, gas line, water line, or electric power supply than you currently have. If any of these accommodations are needed, your tankless water heater installer will be able to make the necessary arrangements with qualified HVAC technicians and electricians, or with your current service providers. Your professional installer should also be able to acquire any required building permits and meet any building code requirements.

Tankless Water Heater Installers at Your Service

We understand we’re biased on this subject. But as you can see, a tankless water heater installation project has many interconnected elements and risks. It is a significant home infrastructure improvement project. You are definitely better off hiring trained, experienced, and insured tankless water heater installers rather than undertaking this home improvement project by yourself.

If you would like to discuss any other details about installing or maintaining a tankless hot water system, contact us.