Local Water Quality
Local Water Quality | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Loudon
Imagine stepping into your Loudon home and never worrying about running out of hot water again. HEP’s local water-quality pros make that happen with precision craftsmanship, top-tier equipment, and a passion for doing every job right the first time. From sizing the unit for your family’s exact needs to hauling away the old tank, our licensed technicians handle every detail with the courtesy and transparency Loudon residents have trusted for decades.
A tankless water heater install from HEP means on-demand comfort, lower energy bills, and valuable space reclaimed in your utility room. We back our work with iron-clad warranties, straightforward pricing, and 24/7 support—so you can enjoy endless hot showers and cleaner, better-tasting water without a second thought. Ready to elevate your home’s efficiency? Give HEP a call today, and let’s bring limitless hot water to your doorstep.
FAQs
What advantages does a tankless water heater offer Loudon homeowners over a traditional storage-tank unit?
Tankless (on-demand) heaters warm water only when a hot-water tap is opened, eliminating the standby losses of a 40- or 50-gallon tank. In Loudon, where energy costs have been rising about 3–5 % annually, this typically translates into 20–40 % lower gas or electric consumption for water heating. You also gain unlimited hot water (the unit keeps producing as long as it gets fuel), a space-saving wall-mounted design, longer service life (20+ years vs. 8–12 for tanks) and no risk of a catastrophic tank rupture. Because local building codes now require pan drains and seismic strapping for tanks, many homeowners find a tankless upgrade both safer and easier to install in tight utility closets.
Is Loudon’s municipal water quality compatible with a tankless system, or will I need extra filtration or softening?
Loudon’s water is classified as moderately hard, averaging 6–9 grains per gallon (≈ 120–155 ppm). Hardness minerals can form scale on a tankless unit’s heat exchanger, reducing efficiency and possibly voiding the manufacturer’s warranty. We strongly recommend installing an in-line scale-inhibiting filter or a small cartridge-based water softener upstream of the heater. If you already have a whole-house water treatment system, we will verify it meets the heater maker’s requirements. During your free on-site estimate we’ll test hardness and chlorine levels so we can size the proper pre-treatment and include it in one seamless installation quote.
How long does a typical Loudon tankless water heater installation take, and will I be without water all day?
A straightforward replacement of a gas or electric tank with a new tankless unit usually takes 5–7 hours. Our crew arrives with all permits pulled from Loudon County Building & Codes, isolates water and gas/electric feeds, removes the old tank, hangs the new unit, routes venting, makes gas/electrical upgrades if needed, then tests and flushes the system. Your home will be without hot water for most of that window, but cold water is normally restored within the first hour, so toilets and sinks remain usable. For complex jobs requiring a longer gas line or 2" PVC vent through masonry, we may schedule a second half-day; you’ll know this before any work begins.
What size (flow-rate) tankless heater does my Loudon home require?
Sizing depends on simultaneous demand, expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). A typical Loudon three-bedroom, two-bath house with one kitchen and laundry needs 7–8 GPM to run two showers and a dishwasher at once. Larger homes with spa tubs or multiple body-spray showers may need 10–11 GPM. During our site visit we’ll count fixtures, measure incoming water temperature (usually 55–60 °F in winter here) and calculate the ΔT to ensure the unit can reach 120 °F at your desired flow. We’ll then recommend a properly sized gas (199 k BTU) or electric (24–36 kW) model so you never experience a cold-water “sandwich.”
How much can I expect to save on utility bills by switching to tankless in Loudon?
Actual savings vary with family size and fuel type, but ENERGY STAR® studies show Loudon households that use around 60 gallons of hot water per day save $95–$120 per year on natural gas and $140–$170 per year on electricity after switching from a code-minimum tank. Larger families with high use see proportionally higher savings. Because tankless models last roughly twice as long and often qualify for federal tax credits (currently up to 30 % of equipment cost, max $600) and LUB rebates, the payback period is typically 4–6 years.
What ongoing maintenance does a tankless water heater need in Loudon?
Plan on an annual service visit that includes descaling the heat exchanger with food-grade vinegar, cleaning the inlet screen, checking venting and combustion, and updating firmware on newer smart units. If your hardness exceeds 10 grains per gallon and you do not have softening, we may recommend twice-a-year flushes. You can perform these flushes yourself using a bucket, submersible pump and hoses, but most clients prefer our fixed-price maintenance plan for peace of mind. Regular upkeep preserves efficiency, keeps the warranty valid and can extend the unit’s life well past 20 years.