Tankless Water Heater in Savage, MN

A tankless unit heats water as it flows, so you do not run out in the middle of a shower. In Savage it works best when it is sized to the home and maintained against hard-water scale. We install, flush and repair tankless units, and we say plainly when a tank is the better fit.

Is tankless right for this house?

Tankless saves floor space and can last longer than a tank when it is flushed on schedule. It also needs a bigger gas line, a proper vent and, for electric models, a heavy electrical supply. Many older homes need more work to make that happen.

These are general patterns. The right answer depends on your home, your gas supply and how you use hot water.

Hard water and tankless units.

Savage buys most of its water from Burnsville, and Burnsville reports hardness of 25 to 26 grains per gallon. Scale forms fastest inside the narrow passages of a tankless heat exchanger. A unit in hard water that never gets flushed can lose output, throw error codes or fail long before its time.

We service this with a descaling flush using a pump and a descaling solution, then check the inlet filter and water flow. In homes with hard supply, a water softener before the heater is the more lasting answer.

What an install involves.

1. 1

   Calculate flow.

   We add up the fixtures that run together and the temperature rise your incoming water needs.

   .
2. 2

   Check the supply.

   Gas line size, regulator, venting, power for the fan and condensate drain are all checked.

   .
3. 3

   Install.

   The unit mounts on the wall, with isolation valves so it can be flushed later.

   .
4. 4

   Commission and teach.

   We test flow and temperature, show you the settings and mark the flush valves.

   .

Repairs and flush service.

Error codes, a unit that cuts out between showers, weak hot flow and a cold sandwich effect (hot, cold, hot) all have causes we can trace. Often it is scale, a clogged inlet screen or a venting problem. We read the code, test the flow and explain what we found.

If your unit is a few years old and has never been flushed, call sooner than later. Heavy scale can need a longer cleaning and sometimes a part.

Gas line and venting: the part most quotes gloss over.

A gas tankless unit burns far more gas per minute than a tank burner, even though it runs for less time. If the existing gas pipe is sized for a tank, the unit may starve at peak flow and shut itself off. We measure the run from the meter and check the regulator before we promise anything.

Venting is the other surprise. Condensing units produce acidic condensate that needs a drain and approved vent material. Older chimney venting rarely works. We walk the vent route with you during the site check so the quote includes it.

Cost factors.

Tankless projects have more variables than tank swaps. You get a full quote after we see the site.

A tankless upgrade is a planned improvement, not covered by home insurance. A flush is a small recurring cost that protects the large one.

For a failed unit we can discuss water heater repair or a swap. If space is tight, a conventional tank through water heater installation is still a good choice. Our work covers Savage and surrounding towns including Burnsville.

Code and sources.

According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, plumbing work in the state follows Minnesota Rules chapter 4714, which incorporates the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with Minnesota amendments. Rules for permits and inspections vary by city, so ask your city's building department what your project needs.

Common questions.

Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock. Call (952) 866-9120