A homeowner who paid to replace an old water heater with a tankless model turned to the internet after the setup appeared unfinished.
Here's what to know
"It was a Borch Hydropower before. The job is done, but it just doesn't look done professionally. Asking professional plumber for opinion," the original poster wrote.
A commenter argued that the installation was missing essential hardware, writing: "Any professional installation should have an isolation valve kit. You can never flush your unit with this setup."
Another user flagged whether the gas line could deliver enough BTUs. "The manufacturer will not honor a warranty with this installation," they said.
Upgrading to a heat pump water heater offers homeowners an effective way to lower energy bills.
More background
Tankless water heaters can be efficient, space-saving upgrades, but they are not maintenance-free.
A poor installation can shorten the unit's lifespan; make routine service difficult; or lead to added costs if a technician has to redo piping, valves, or gas connections.
This post showed that a low installation price is not always the best route. When important components are left out to save time or money, a system can be costly to deal with over its lifespan.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn't that worth an email or two? |
What can be done?
Homeowners planning for a replacement water heater can ask for a written scope of work that includes parts, requirements such as a sediment trap or dirt leg, confirmation that the setup meets the manufacturer's warranty requirements, and an explanation of how maintenance will be performed.
If you are looking to switch to a heat pump water heater, Cala has options. The company's customizable smart heat pump water heaters lower utility bills by intelligently heating water when it is needed. By predicting household water-usage patterns and using off-peak energy rates, Cala's systems maximize efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Where can I learn more?
The convenience and savings people expect can depend on how a system is installed, and other homeowners have run into similar problems.
• One homeowner found showers went weak when toilets flushed after a tankless upgrade.
• Households weighing long-term savings often ask how much money tankless heaters save.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
