Cost to Install a Tankless Water Heater

Find the average cost to install a tankless water heater yourself compared with hiring a plumber. Use your ZIP Code to adjust the cost to where you live so you can decide to do it yourself or hire a pro to do the job. Learn what to consider and the steps involved.

Hmmm. What's a tankless water heater you're wondering? Simply, it is a hot water heater that heats water as you use it, giving you an endless supply of hot water, instead of heating and storing water like a traditional tank unit does. While the tankless units have been popular in Europe and Asia for years, they're only recently making their way into U.S. homes. Compared with a traditional gas hot water heater, a tankless unit is considered safer and more economical to operate because there is no pilot light and the unit only runs when the system is used so you can expect a lower gas bill. For a small home, there's an added bonus - no bulky tank.

Installing a tankless water heater is similar to installing a regular gas water heater; you'll connect to a gas line, water line and vent, but the tankless system also has an electrical connection to power the computer and venting system. If you put the new tankless unit in the same space as an old gas tank water heater, you don't have to redo any plumbing lines. A plumber will charge $1,000 to replace a traditional gas water heater with a new tankless unit like the Takagi T-KJr, which can produce 180 gallons of hot water per hour. In home centers, you'll find other units designed for do-it-yourselfers. We, however, suggest leaving this job to the professionals.

National Average Cost
to
Install a Tankless Water Heater

Hours

  • Pro
  • DIY
  • 2.5
  • 4

Money

  • Pro
  • DIY
  • $1000
  • $800
Adjust Cost to
Your ZIP Code.

Would You Do This Project?

Poll Results

  • DIY    31%
  • PRO  69%