We have a tankless water heater. When we bought our house, the hot water heater was located in the center of the kitchen (!), so it had to be moved and replaced anyway. The cost of going with tankless instead of repurchasing and relocating a normal one wasn't that much more, and we LOVE it. I wasn't thrilled with the local construction company that installed it (pipes froze the first winter due to lack of proper insulation), so I won't recommend them. Endless hot water is great, and the space savings in my tiny house was really meaningful.

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for opinions on good tankless water heaters and recommendations on companies that can install it. How much are people paying for a system that can support two bathrooms? Thanks!

If you actually live in DC, this would not be a good idea. Tankless heaters need a reliable and sufficient gas supply, and our neighborhoods old pipes are neither. You could make it work but then you'd need to install an expensive regulator

We had a tankless system installed by Argent Heating and Cooling: http://argent-heating-cooling.com

Previously, we had them install central AC for us. I wouldn't say they are the cheapest in town, but they are also not the most expensive. They do very good work.

Did you find the prices for plumbtastic to be reasonable?

We recently had Plumbtastic Plumbing install a big Rennai. We love it. We will do yearly maintenance.

How much was the upgrade to the gas line?

I was going to mention that we looked into it and the upgrade to our gas line that it would have required made it too expensive.

I got several estimates for a tankless water heater, and the big expenses were always a new gas line and exhaust vent.

I'm not allowed to mention my (small) company's name on social media but we have installed a few of these. Most of the area's housing stock is designed for conventional storage water heaters and going tankless can cost several thousand more than just getting a top quality, high efficiency storage water heater. Gas supply, exhaust and the layout of the plumbing are often not set up for a successful tankless install.

New construction is the best time to make the decision to go tankless. Endless hot water and lower bills are nice.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP. Now I understand why a lot of people decide not to make the switch to tankless. By any chance do you know if companies like Michael and sons or Magnolia for example install tankless water heaters?

I don't know. Look at the brands and then see if there are licensed installer are in the DC area. All I know in DC area are Bosch, Rennai, and Triangle Tube. Get a master plumber who is trained in the product being installed. The website will direct you to installers.

The installers will also help you to size the one you need, you will only need a small one. They might even suggest that you get a "combo unit".

They're always the most expensive.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP. Now I understand why a lot of people decide not to make the switch to tankless. By any chance do you know if companies like Michael and sons or Magnolia for example install tankless water heaters?

DO NOT USE those companies they will rip u off

Thanks PP. Now I understand why a lot of people decide not to make the switch to tankless. By any chance do you know if companies like Michael and sons or Magnolia for example install tankless water heaters?

We have a Bosch tanks installed less than a year ago. Installed poorly but we got it fixed. So far no problems, three bathrooms plus kitchen and laundry. We got a large one to manage peak demand, but the price difference is not large between sizes. The main cost is in the install.

Buy the tankless through the licensed and trained installer! Rennai for example has installers that will come and quote you for the job. This could cost you 3- 4K. Tankless also need intake and exhaust vents to be run, and some other requirements that may add to the costs if your mechanical room is not already set up for a tankless.

I'm looking for opinions on good tankless water heaters and recommendations on companies that can install it. How much are people paying for a system that can support two bathrooms? Thanks!