How Long Does it Take to Install a Tankless Water Heater?

So, you’re almost ready to go all in on endless hot water with a tankless water heater, but how long will your home be without hot water during the installation? Luckily, tankless water heater installations aren’t always an all-day affair.

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’ve installed tankless water heaters from top brands for over 15 years. In that time, we’ve worked with industry leaders like Navien and Noritz to ensure we install our customers’ tankless water heaters the right way the first time. We understand that large overhauls like installing a tankless water heater can take up valuable time in your day, so we strive to be considerate of your time while being mindful of the work we’re doing in your home.

In this article, we’ll let you know how long you can expect a tankless water heater installation to take and what factors affect installation time. This information will give you a better idea of what to expect should you pursue a tankless water heater.

How Long Does It Take to Install a Tankless Water Heater?

The most common scenario for a tankless water heater installation is a customer switching from a traditional tank-style water heater to a tankless one. In this case, you can expect an average installation time of about four to six hours.

There is a chance that your technician will be able to get the tankless water heater installation done ahead of schedule. When tankless installs wrap up on the early side, they typically take around three to six hours. Your technician isn’t a magician, but they’ll do their best to be mindful of your time, considering what your installation requires.

It’s important to remember that these are averages. Every home is different, and there are plenty of issues a technician can run into during the installation that can add or subtract time from the total. Let’s check out what those might be so you can avoid being caught off guard.

Factors That Affect Tankless Water Heater Installation Time

Installing a tankless water heater is a big job with very specific needs, which is why you need a certified technician to install them. Having the right people for the job ensures you get expert service, regardless of the installation’s requirements.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

One aspect of an install that can add time is if the tankless water heater is being installed indoors instead of outdoors. Indoor tankless water heaters require specific venting that outdoor-mounted tankless water heaters do not. There is also usually less space for technicians to move around during indoor installs, which can add time. Because of this additional work, you can expect your tankless water heater install to be on the longer side.

On the flip side, if you’re going the outdoor route, your technician may be able to wrap the install a little early. This is purely based on the lack of venting and the increased freedom of movement from being outside.

Water and Gas Line Location

Another aspect of tankless water heater installation that can add or subtract time from the job is your water and gas lines. Your technician may need to extend these lines to install the tankless water heater safely. If this is the case, the farther away your tankless is from the lines, the longer it will likely take to complete the install.

However, if your gas and water lines are located closer, your technician will make short work of these connections.

Tankless to Tankless vs. Tank-Style to Tankless

Not every water heater transition is the same. Some customers need an old traditional tank-style water heater swapped for a tankless one, while others may just upgrade to a new tankless water heater from their old one.

Your tankless water heater installation time will vary depending on your situation. Because swapping from one tankless water heater to another may not require new lines to be run or new venting, this can decrease the time it takes to complete the installation.

On the other hand, moving from a tank-style water heater to a tankless water heater is a bit more of an undertaking since new venting will be a must, and new connections for your gas and water lines may have to be made.

Proper Whole-House Water Shut-off

To properly install a tankless water heater, your certified technician needs access to your whole-house water shut-off. If you do not have a proper whole-house shut-off, the installation will be slowed by one of two things happening.

One scenario is that your technician will have to install a whole-house water shut-off on-site. This additional install can take a significant amount of time but can come in handy for future jobs.

On the other hand, your technician may have to get in touch with the city directly to have them shut off the water to your home. Contacting the city can also take some time and doesn’t afford you any future benefits.

Up to Speed on Tankless Water Heater Installation Time

We’ve touched on how long it takes to install a tankless water heater when done by a certified technician and how the install time can be affected for better or worse. With this information, you’ll be able to avoid surprises and build a healthy expectation of your installation time. You’ll also better understand the work your technician is doing.

If you’re ready to take the plunge on a tankless water heater and live in Los Angeles County or one of its surrounding cities, visit our Tankless Water Heater Service Page or connect with us using one of the buttons below.

We know adopting a tankless water heater is a big decision, so we’ve put together an Ultimate Guide to Tankless Water Heaters to help jump-start your research. You can also check out reviews for some of the top brands we carry, like Noritz, Navien, and Takagi, so you can get a better sense of what is on the market.