Energy-hungry Tanks
Energy-hungry Tanks | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Clairfield
Imagine opening the tap in your Clairfield home and feeling a rush of perfectly heated water—without worrying about a clunky, energy-hungry tank draining your wallet. HEP’s specialists swap out bulky heaters for sleek, on-demand technology that only fires up when you need it, giving you endless comfort and lower utility bills. From the first friendly phone call to the final inspection, our team handles every detail of your tankless water heater install with the care and craftsmanship East Tennesseans have trusted for decades.
Ready to reclaim closet space, cut monthly costs, and enjoy hot water that never quits? Schedule your tankless upgrade today and discover why your neighbors count on HEP to keep their homes running efficiently—one smart service call at a time.
FAQs
How does a tankless water heater differ from the traditional storage-tank units many Clairfield homes still use?
Traditional heaters keep 40-80 gallons of water hot 24/7, so you constantly pay to overcome stand-by heat loss. A tankless system contains no storage tank; powerful gas burners or electric elements fire up only when a hot-water tap opens. The water is heated on demand, delivering an endless supply while eliminating stand-by losses. As a result, ENERGY STAR®-rated tankless models typically cut water-heating energy use by 25–40 % compared with a conventional tank in similar conditions.
Is my Clairfield home a good candidate for a tankless water heater?
Almost any single-family or multi-family residence can be retrofitted, but a technician will verify several factors during an in-home assessment: (1) gas line size or electric service capacity, (2) venting route for combustion exhaust, (3) water quality—our local hardness averages 6–8 gpg, so a scale-inhibiting filter may be recommended, and (4) fixture flow rates. Homes with crawl spaces or unfinished basements usually have straightforward installation paths, while slab-on-grade structures may require a bit more planning for vent and condensate routing.
How much could I actually save on my utility bills after switching?
Savings depend on usage patterns, fuel type, and the efficiency of your current tank. In customer monitoring across Campbell County, households that used 50–70 gallons of hot water per day saw annual gas savings of $90–$150 after upgrading to a 0.95 UEF condensing tankless unit. Electric tank replacements switching to gas tankless often report $250+ yearly savings because they move from one of TVA’s higher-cost electric rates to natural gas at roughly one-third the BTU price.
What size (flow-rate) unit do I need for my family?
We size units based on simultaneous fixture demand and incoming winter ground-water temperature (about 50 °F in Clairfield). A typical three-bath home needing two showers and a dishwasher to run together requires roughly 7.5 GPM at a 70 °F temperature rise. That translates to a 180-k BTU condensing gas model. Smaller households with one bath can use 140-k BTU (6 GPM) units. Our estimator will tally your specific fixtures and recommend an appropriately sized model so you never experience pressure or temperature drops.
What does the installation process look like and how long will it take?
After the free consultation and permit filing, our crew arrives at 8 AM, drains and removes the old tank, upgrades the gas line or electrical circuit if needed, mounts the compact tankless unit to an exterior or interior wall, installs Category III/IV venting, and sets up the condensate neutralizer. We then flush the heat exchanger, program the controller, and teach you how to operate it. Most single replacements wrap up the same day (6–8 hours); more complex jobs with long vent runs or manifold piping can stretch to a second day.
What maintenance is required to keep my new tankless heater running efficiently?
Because mineral scale is the main enemy of heat-exchanger efficiency, plan to have the unit flushed with a food-grade vinegar solution every 12–18 months—more often if your water hardness exceeds 10 gpg. We include the first flush gratis one year after install. In addition, clean the air intake filter quarterly, check the condensate drain for blockage, and have a licensed plumber perform a full diagnostic once a year. With proper care, modern stainless-steel heat exchangers routinely last 20+ years in our region.