- HEP Plumbing
- Precious Square Footage

Precious Square Footage
Precious Square Footage | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Tellico Plains
Imagine reclaiming closet space, enjoying endless hot water, and trimming your utility bills—all with one smart upgrade. HEP’s plumbing specialists in Tellico Plains make it happen through a seamless tankless water heater install, engineered to fit tight cabins, historic homes, and modern builds alike. By mounting the compact unit on a wall, we free up precious square footage while delivering hot water on demand, so no one has to time their showers or worry about a bulky storage tank.
From the first site inspection to the final system check, our licensed technicians handle every detail with the neighbor-focused care East Tennesseans know us for. We size the heater to your family’s unique needs, manage venting and gas line modifications, and back the work with solid warranties and round-the-clock support. Choose HEP in Tellico Plains and discover how convenient, efficient, and space-saving hot water can be.
FAQs
Why should I choose a tankless water heater for my Tellico Plains home instead of a traditional storage tank?
Tankless units heat water on demand, which eliminates the need for a bulky 40- or 50-gallon tank that can monopolize precious square footage in closets, crawl spaces, or garages. Beyond the space savings, modern tankless models are 24-34% more energy efficient for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, translating into lower utility bills and a greener footprint—important considerations for many Tellico Plains residents who rely on well water or have higher electric rates.
How does our mountainous Tellico Plains climate affect tankless water heater performance?
The key factor is groundwater temperature. In Tellico Plains, incoming water averages 55-60 °F. Quality tankless units are sized to raise that temperature to a comfortable 120 °F even in winter. During your in-home assessment we calculate the necessary flow rate and temperature rise to ensure the model we install never “cold-water sandwiches” you, even when multiple fixtures run simultaneously.
What utilities and clearances are needed for installation?
Gas models require a ¾-inch gas line (often larger than what a tank uses), category III or IV venting through an exterior wall or roof, and 12-24 inches of clearance for service access. Electric models need a dedicated 240-volt circuit—usually two to three 40-50 amp breakers—and 6-12 inches of side clearance for airflow. Because homes around Tellico Plains vary from log cabins to new builds, our technicians verify framing, vent paths, and panel capacity during the free estimate, so there are no surprises on install day.
Will a tankless unit really lower my utility bills enough to justify the higher upfront cost?
In most Tellico Plains households the payback is 5–7 years. You eliminate standby heat loss (the constant reheating of 50 gallons sitting in a tank), and ENERGY STAR® tankless units run at 0.93–0.99 efficiency. If you currently heat water with propane, savings can exceed $150 per year; electric tank owners typically save $70–$120. Factor in the 15-20-year life expectancy—nearly double that of a tank—and the long-term return becomes even more compelling.
How often does a tankless system need maintenance, and can hard Appalachian water cause problems?
All water heaters benefit from annual check-ups, but tankless units require just a simple descaling flush once a year if your hardness exceeds 8 grains per gallon (common in Monroe County). We install an isolation valve kit and, if needed, a sediment filter or water softener to keep mineral buildup from triggering error codes or reducing efficiency. Regular maintenance keeps your warranty valid and extends service life well past the 10-year heat exchanger guarantee we provide.
What warranties and local support do you offer after installation?
Our Tellico Plains team is factory-trained on Rinnai, Navien, and Stiebel Eltron systems. We register your unit on-site to secure the manufacturer’s full parts and heat-exchanger warranties (5 and 10–15 years respectively) and back our labor with a 2-year workmanship guarantee. Should you need help, we stock common repair parts in our Madisonville warehouse and offer 24/7 emergency service, so you’re never left without hot water—even on a chilly Cherokee National Forest weekend.