Tankless Water Heaters in Atlanta, GA

How tankless differs from a tank

A tank heater keeps a set volume of water hot all day. A tankless unit fires up when a tap opens and heats water as it passes through. That means no standby heat loss and no tank to rust out, but there is a ceiling on flow. If two showers and a dishwasher run together, an undersized unit will struggle. Sizing is based on peak demand, not household headcount alone.

Gas or electric

Gas tankless units need a large gas supply, and the existing line feeding a tank heater is often too small. They also need dedicated venting, which may run through a wall rather than up the old flue. In Atlanta the gas reaches the house through Atlanta Gas Light's system, while the marketer on your bill sells the gas itself. Electric tankless units draw heavy current and may need new circuits or a panel upgrade. A plumber can look at the house and tell you which is more practical.

Questions to settle before you buy

• How many fixtures run at once during your busiest hour?
• Is the gas line or electrical panel big enough, and what would an upgrade involve?
• Where will it vent, and is there wall space near the old heater?
• Does the plan include isolation valves for future flushing?

Upkeep and common service calls

Tankless units need periodic descaling, done by circulating a cleaning solution through the heat exchanger using service valves. Atlanta doesn't publish a single hardness figure for its water, so check DWM's water quality report or test your water to judge how often that is needed. Typical repair calls involve error codes, ignition faults, a clogged inlet screen, flow sensor problems or venting issues. Many units also struggle with very low flow, so a trickle at a faucet may not trigger the burner.

Permits and paperwork

Replacement plumbing in one- and two-family homes in the city is covered by technical permits from the Atlanta Office of Buildings, applied for online. A tankless conversion that adds gas or electrical work may involve more than one trade, so ask the plumber how permits will be handled.

What sets the price

Unit capacity and brand, gas versus electric, the size of any gas line or electrical upgrade, venting length and how much the location changes. Ask for those items to be broken out in the quote.