Virginia Beach Tankless Water Heater Installation and Replacement

Sizing for Winter Water Temperatures and Flow

In Virginia Beach, incoming water can approach 45°F during January. To deliver water at 120°F, a tankless heater must raise that temperature by about 75 degrees. If two showers need hot water at the same time, a unit sized based on mild summer conditions may fall short in winter. 

A higher-output model or two properly configured units may be appropriate, depending on the expected gallons per minute (GPM), fixture flow rates, and desired temperature.

Understanding What's Involved in a Gas Conversion

Replacing an electric tank with a gas tankless heater can involve more than mounting new equipment. In older Virginia Beach neighborhoods such as Kempsville and Princess Anne Plaza, a conversion may involve a gas service and line-capacity assessment, appropriately sized gas piping, new venting, and electrical connections. Some installations call for larger gas lines than the existing 1/2-inch supply, along with manufacturer-approved side-wall venting. 

The exact needs depend on the unit, the existing infrastructure, and applicable safety codes. We review these details with you to help clarify the installation scope before work begins.

Making Better Use of Limited Space

Tankless units mount on a wall and can free up floor space in garages, utility closets, and other tight mechanical areas. That can be useful in slab-built homes or coastal properties with compact utility spaces and elevated living areas. Removing a storage tank also eliminates the risk of that tank itself rupturing and releasing its stored water, although tankless systems and their plumbing can still leak. 

Available wall space, vent routing, service access, and freeze protection all need to be considered when selecting the installation location.