Tankless Water Heater Installation Sand Springs

Our Tankless Water Heater Installation Process

Installing a tankless water heater is more complex than replacing a traditional tank water heater. It requires specialized knowledge, proper sizing calculations, and often infrastructure upgrades. Here’s our comprehensive installation process:

Step 1: In-Home Assessment

We start with a thorough assessment of your home and hot water needs. We’ll calculate your peak hot water demand by identifying how many fixtures might run simultaneously, determine the required flow rate (gallons per minute), calculate the temperature rise needed, and evaluate your home’s current gas line or electrical capacity.

We’ll also examine where the tankless unit will be installed, assess your existing venting system (for gas units), check your water pressure and quality, and identify any necessary upgrades.

Step 2: Right-Sizing Your System

Proper sizing is critical for tankless water heater performance. Too small, and you won’t get enough hot water. Too large, and you’re spending more than necessary. We calculate the exact size needed based on your household’s specific usage patterns—not generic estimates.

For gas tankless systems, sizing involves determining the BTU input needed to achieve your required flow rate at the necessary temperature rise. For Oklahoma’s groundwater temperatures (typically 55-60°F), we calculate how much heating capacity is needed to raise water to your desired temperature (usually 120°F).

Step 3: System Selection and Pricing

Based on our assessment, we’ll recommend specific tankless systems that meet your needs. We’ll explain the differences between models, discuss warranty coverage, review efficiency ratings, and provide upfront pricing for the complete installation including all necessary upgrades.

Step 4: Infrastructure Upgrades

Many homes need upgrades to support tankless water heater installation:

For Gas Tankless Systems:
– Gas line upgrades: Tankless units require higher gas flow rates than tank water heaters. Most homes need gas line upgrades from 1/2″ to 3/4″ or larger.
– Venting: Modern tankless systems require specific venting materials and configurations. We may need to install new venting or upgrade existing venting.
– Electrical: Even gas tankless systems need electrical connections for controls and ignition.

For Electric Tankless Systems:
– Electrical service upgrades: Whole-house electric tankless systems draw 80-150 amps, which often exceeds the capacity of existing circuits. Many homes need electrical panel upgrades.
– Dedicated circuits: Multiple high-amperage circuits must be run to the tankless unit.

We handle all these upgrades as part of your installation, coordinating any necessary permits and inspections.

Step 5: Professional Installation

On installation day, our licensed plumbers will safely remove your old water heater (if applicable), prepare and secure the mounting location, install the new tankless unit at the proper height, connect water lines with appropriate materials, complete all gas or electrical connections, install proper venting (gas units), set up condensate drainage (condensing units), and install any required expansion tanks or water treatment systems.

We follow all manufacturer specifications and local building codes to ensure your installation is done right.

Step 6: System Testing and Programming

After installation, we thoroughly test your new tankless system. We verify proper ignition and flame sensing, check for any gas or water leaks, test water flow at multiple fixtures, confirm proper venting and exhaust, program temperature settings, and test all safety features.

We’ll also walk you through how to operate your new system and answer all your questions.

Step 7: Annual Maintenance Planning

Tankless water heaters require annual maintenance, especially in areas with hard water like Sand Springs. We’ll explain what maintenance is needed and can set you up on a regular maintenance schedule to keep your system running efficiently.