Lower Utility Bills
Lower Utility Bills | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Erwin
Feel the freedom of endless, perfectly heated water—while watching your monthly utility costs drop. A professional tankless water heater install replaces bulky, standby-losing tanks with on-demand efficiency, heating water only when you need it. That means faster comfort, more space in your Erwin home, and energy savings that can trim up to 40% off your hot-water expenses.
HEP’s licensed plumbers make upgrading effortless. We size the right unit for your family, handle every connection to code, and back our workmanship with rock-solid warranties. From the first friendly call to the final test run, you’ll see why Erwin neighbors trust us for reliable, lower-utility-bill plumbing solutions that keep showers steamy and budgets happy—today and for years to come.
FAQs
How does a tankless water heater help lower my utility bills in Erwin?
Conventional tanks keep 40–80 gallons of water hot 24/7, wasting energy through standby heat loss. A tankless unit heats water only when you open a tap, so no energy is spent maintaining a stored supply. For most Erwin households this on-demand design cuts water-heating costs 25–40 %, and because natural-gas and electric rates fluctuate seasonally, the savings continue year-round. In addition, higher efficiency ratings (up to 98 % for condensing models) mean more of the fuel you pay for actually becomes hot water instead of exhaust heat.
What size tankless unit do I need for my Erwin home?
Sizing is based on two numbers: total flow rate (gallons per minute, GPM) for the fixtures you may run at the same time, and the required temperature rise (difference between incoming cold-water temperature and your desired hot-water setting). In Erwin, winter ground-water temperatures average about 50 °F. If you want 120 °F water, you need a 70 °F rise. A family that might run a shower (2.5 GPM) and a dishwasher (1.5 GPM) simultaneously would need about 4 GPM at a 70 °F rise, pointing to a 160–180 k BTU gas unit or an 18–24 kW electric model. During your free estimate our technicians calculate these figures precisely and recommend the right heater, so you get reliable hot water without over-spending on an oversized system.
Can a tankless system be retrofitted into my current plumbing without major remodeling?
Yes. Most installations in existing Erwin homes require only minor modifications. We mount the compact heater on a wall—often where the old tank stood—tie into your current hot- and cold-water lines, and reroute the gas or electrical service if additional capacity is needed. High-efficiency gas units also need a condensate drain and PVC vent that exits through an exterior wall or roof. Because tankless heaters are small and vent with lightweight pipe instead of heavy metal flues, we can usually complete the retrofit without opening finished walls or ceilings.
How long does a professional tankless water heater installation take, and will I be without hot water?
A straightforward replacement of a gas storage tank with a gas tankless unit typically takes 6–8 hours. Electric conversions run 4–6 hours if your panel already has sufficient amperage. During that window the old heater is isolated, so you’ll be without hot water, but we keep at least one cold-water line live for washing hands and flushing toilets. We schedule installations at times convenient for you, arrive with all materials on hand, and test every fixture before leaving so you have hot water the same day.
What maintenance does a tankless water heater require to stay efficient?
Unlike tanks that corrode from the inside, tankless heat exchangers stay clean if flushed once a year with a vinegar solution to dissolve mineral scale. In Erwin our moderately hard water (≈6–7 grains per gallon) makes annual flushing ideal; we offer a low-cost service plan that includes the descaling, cleaning the inlet filter, and verifying gas-pressure or electrical connections. With routine care, most units last 20+ years—roughly double the life of a conventional heater—keeping your energy savings intact for decades.
Are there any rebates or tax incentives in Erwin or Tennessee for installing an energy-efficient tankless water heater?
Yes. Qualifying ENERGY STAR® gas tankless heaters with ≥0.95 Uniform Energy Factor are eligible for a 30 % federal tax credit up to $600 under the Inflation Reduction Act. Local utilities such as BrightRidge and TVA periodically offer $100–$250 bill credits for high-efficiency water-heating upgrades; we’ll handle the paperwork to maximize your rebate. Tennessee’s sales-tax holiday on energy-efficient appliances, usually held in late July, can also reduce upfront cost if your installation is scheduled during that window.