Tankless Water Heater
Tankless Water Heater | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Elizabethton
Imagine stepping into a shower that never runs cold and watching your energy bills shrink month after month—that’s the freedom a professional tankless water heater install from HEP brings to Elizabethton homes. Our certified plumbers replace bulky, outdated tanks with sleek, on-demand systems that heat water only when you need it, delivering endless hot water while cutting standby energy loss. From choosing the right capacity to securing permits, we handle every detail so you can enjoy reliable comfort without the hassle.
HEP’s technicians arrive on time, protect your home with drop cloths, and complete most installations in a single visit. We back our workmanship with solid warranties and 24/7 support, so if a question or concern ever arises, you’re never left in the cold. Ready to reclaim space, trim utility costs, and elevate daily comfort? Call HEP today and feel the difference the very first time you turn on the tap.
FAQs
What are the main advantages of switching to a tankless water heater for my Elizabethton home?
Tankless units heat water on demand, so you never run out of hot water during back-to-back showers. Because there’s no storage tank that must be kept at temperature all day, most households see energy-use reductions of 25–40 %. You also gain space—wall-mounted units free up floor area in basements and utility closets. Finally, tankless heaters typically last 18–20 years, almost double the life span of a standard tank, giving you a higher long-term return on investment.
How does a tankless water heater actually work compared to a traditional tank model?
When you open a hot-water tap, cold water flows through a heat exchanger inside the tankless unit. Either a gas burner or electric elements fire up instantly and raise the water temperature to the set point within seconds. The system shuts off when the tap closes, so it only runs when needed. Conversely, storage tanks repeatedly heat 40–50 gallons throughout the day, cycling even when no one is home, which wastes energy. The on-demand design is the key to the savings and endless hot water tankless technology provides.
What size (flow rate) tankless water heater do I need?
Proper sizing is based on two factors: 1) the maximum number of fixtures that may run simultaneously, and 2) the required temperature rise from Elizabethton’s typical 55 °F incoming cold-water temperature to your desired 120 °F set point. For example, if you want to operate two showers and a dishwasher at once, you’ll need roughly 6–8 gallons per minute (GPM) at a 65 °F rise. Our licensed technicians perform a free in-home assessment to measure flow rates, discuss usage patterns, and recommend the correctly sized unit so you never experience pressure loss or lukewarm water.
Will a tankless water heater really lower my utility bills in Carter County?
Yes. Because tankless systems don’t suffer standby heat loss, the U.S. Department of Energy reports savings of 8–34 % for homes using less than 41 gallons of hot water per day and 8–14 % for heavier-use households. In Elizabethton, where electricity rates average 11–12¢/kWh and natural gas rates hover around $1.40/therm, most customers save $80–$120 per year on utilities. Pairing a tankless heater with low-flow fixtures and insulated pipes can further reduce consumption.
What is involved in the installation and how long does the process take?
A standard retrofit from a tank to a tankless unit typically takes 4–6 hours. We start by turning off water, gas, and power, then disconnect and haul away the old tank. Next, we mount the new unit on an exterior wall or closet, upsize the gas line if required, install Category-III or PVC venting per Tennessee Mechanical Code, and integrate isolation valves for easy future servicing. Finally, we flush the lines, check for leaks, and set the digital controller. You’ll have hot water the same day, and we always secure required permits with Elizabethton’s building department.
What maintenance does a tankless water heater require, and do you offer service plans?
Annual maintenance is crucial—especially in our region where moderately hard water (around 7–9 grains per gallon) can cause scale buildup. We recommend a yearly 45-minute descaling using a food-grade vinegar solution, cleaning the inlet filter, and verifying burner operation. Our company offers an affordable Tankless Care Plan that includes the yearly flush, a full safety inspection, priority scheduling, and a 15 % discount on any parts. Routine upkeep keeps your warranty valid and ensures the unit operates at peak efficiency for decades.