Tankless water heaters are an option many homeowners explore when building a new home, but the systems are also an option during renovations or if you simply want to replace an old, tank-style heater. Because the installation process is complex and involves several vital factors, including safety issues and building code laws, it’s best to have a trained and qualified contractor for the work. At New River Heating and Air, we are experts at installing tankless water heaters and can have your new system in place and operational within a few hours.

We start by removing your old water heater. We shut off the water and gas valves to the tank, drain the tank and detach it from its fixtures. Next, we install a T-pipe and valve to the old gas line. We connect the new waterlines to the existing copper piping, leaving plenty of space for insulation, to maximize efficiency.

Here in western Virginia we have the option of mounting tankless water heaters on the outside of the house, which allows for easier venting, or inside, which protects it from temperature extremes. We’re happy to discuss the ramifications of each of these options with you.

If you wish to install the unit inside your house, then it’s critical to mount the water heater correctly, as the vent needs to pass through the outside wall while staying clear of the floor joists. Once the water heater is positioned correctly, we attach the gas shutoff valve and supply line and test to confirm that the connection is secure.

Next we install the venting system. We bore a hole through the outside wall over the unit’s vent hole and install a metal thimble over the outside portion of the wall. Then we run the vent piping through the wall from the thimble to the water heater’s vent.

Finally, we connect the tankless water heater to the nearest electrical outlet and thoroughly insulate the water pipes to keep in heat. We turn on the gas lines and start up the water heater to confirm that everything is working correctly.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

New River Heating and Air services the New River Valley area in Virginia. To get started, check out our website or see our current specials.