A 50-gallon water heater should be replaced with a tankless system with a 10 GPM flow rate just to be safe. Selecting the right flow rate ensures you won't experience cold showers or excessive energy costs. Proper sizing optimizes performance, providing hot water on demand without unnecessary waste.
Replacing a 50-gallon storage tank: If you're replacing a 50-gallon storage tank, you'll want to make sure your new tankless water heater can handle the same demand. For most homes, a tankless water heater with a flow rate of 10 GPM should be sufficient.
Before you commit to buying a tankless water heater, the primary drawbacks to know include: Higher upfront costs. Tankless water heaters are, on average, quite a bit more expensive to buy and install than tank water heaters. Access to fuel.
Tankless units are more expensive. An electric tankless unit will cost about $500 to $700, roughly the same as a traditional tank model, while the cost of a gas tankless heater runs about $1,000 to $1,200. Beyond the initial cost, the national average for the installation of a tankless unit is slightly over $1,700.
No, of course not. You could however usually replace one with a tankless water heater if you really wanted to. You would likely have to increase the gas line size and possibly replace the vent system.
A 50-gallon water heater should be replaced with a tankless system with a 10 GPM flow rate just to be safe. Selecting the right flow rate ensures you won't experience cold showers or excessive energy costs. Proper sizing optimizes performance, providing hot water on demand without unnecessary waste.
Even for homes with high water usage, up to 85 gallons per day, tankless water heaters can offer up to 14% energy efficiency savings. However, while they offer energy savings, the higher upfront costs and installation expenses can result in a long payback period, ranging from 12 to 27 years.
Tankless water heater replacement is a complex process that involves the skills of a highly trained technician. Unless you are experienced and comfortable enough to solder pipe, make gas connections and follow local codes, hire a licensed professional.
In general, plumbers cost $45 to $200 per hour, while electricians cost $50 to $100 per hour. Expect the following average price ranges for labor alone: Replacing a tank-style water heater: $150–$450. Replacing a tankless water heater: $600–$1,850.
How Much Electricity Does a Tankless Water Heater Use? Many people wonder if tankless water heaters increase electric bills. The answer is no — tankless water heaters can save money on your monthly electric bill because they're 8%-34% more efficient than storage water heaters.
Additional Installation Costs
Tankless water heaters are much more complex than traditional hot water tanks. As a result, they require professional installation. If you're switching from a hot water tank to a tankless unit, you will likely need your gas lines rerouted, as well as a larger gas supply line.
The federal tax credit for tankless water heaters can lead to significant savings for homeowners. Eligible tankless gas water heaters must have an ENERGY STAR certification and a UEF of greater than 0.95. Homeowners can claim up to $3,200 in tax credits for eligible home improvements in a single year.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
They're less expensive than gas-powered ones but aren't efficient if you run multiple hot water devices. They may struggle to keep up with multiple appliances at the same time.
One clear sign of an oversized tankless water heater is inconsistent water temperature. When the unit is too large, it struggles to modulate the heat output effectively, leading to erratic temperature fluctuation during usage. The oversized unit will heat water quickly and may overshoot the target.
The Home Depot partners with local, licensed and insured professionals to help homeowners choose the right water heater for their home. If you live within 30 miles of a Home Depot store and call us before noon at 1-800-HOME-DEPOT, our team offers same-day installation.
The price depends on whether you want an electric or gas water heater. The basic installation fee at Lowe's is around $320. But, before the contractor can set up the heater, they'll need to come to your home to check the conditions and determine the best location for it. This inspection will cost you an additional $34.
If there are no issues or complications, a licensed plumber should be able to complete the process in 2-3 hours.
So if you don't feel fully prepared with your plumbing and electrical skills, it's best to hire a licensed professional — in some locations, this is required. And make sure to follow local electrical and plumbing codes for installing and sourcing parts.
Switching from a traditional tank water heater to a tankless heater has its benefits, like energy efficiency, space savings, and a consistent supply of hot water. However, the transition comes with a higher upfront cost and potential challenges.
More expensive installation and maintenance.
Tankless systems require special venting, rerouted gas lines, possibly multiple units for a larger household, and sometimes maintenance like installing a softener.
As a general guideline, for households in northern regions with colder groundwater temperatures, a tankless water heater with a flow rate of around 10 gallons per minute (GPM) is recommended. This higher flow rate ensures an ample supply of hot water for multiple appliances running simultaneously.
Absolutely! In fact, tankless water heaters are becoming the standard for new home construction because of the energy efficiency.
Keep your water heater away from outside elements
If your tankless heater is exposed to extremes weather conditions, it will run a greater risk of premature failure. So, make sure your appliance is away from doors and windows, and never installed in the garage or basement.