Tankless Water Heater

When consider replacing your water heater, these days most people are considering both “tank” (conventional) water heaters as well as “tankless” water heaters. Tony LaMartina Plumbing Company has been installing water heaters in St. Louis homes from over 30 years. Most of our clients decide that a conventional water heater is the best fit for their needs. When considering whether a “tankless” water heater is right for you, it’s important to note that​ a tankless water heater can cost up to two-and–a-half times as much as a conventional water heater, but their benefit resides in their small footprint and energy efficiency.

The ideal size of your tankless water heater depends on a number of variables such as the size of your home, number of appliances requiring the use of hot water, the number of people using those appliances, and the temperature of the ground water. Most tankless water heaters have a controller that regulates temperature, allows for diagnostics, and provides their owner with important maintenance alerts. Installation of a tankless water heater should be performed by a licensed plumber. Installation of a tankless water heater by a non-licensed plumbing professional will likely void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Can a tankless water heater utilize an old system’s venting?

The venting system required for a new tankless water heater installation is different than a venting system used by a conventional water heater. Specific venting is required by tankless water heater manufacturers to insure proper performance and protect the warranty of the product. Some manufacturers offer concentric venting. This type of venting requires a single wall penetration for both the intake and exhaust.

To read reviews on tankless water heaters check out this Consumer Reports article.