On-demand hot water, installed and serviced
A tankless heater warms water only when a tap opens, so there is no tank to store, no standby heat and no tank to rupture. It also has a more complex control board, a heat exchanger and sensors that a basic tank does not. That makes correct sizing and clean installation matter more.
We install new units, repair existing ones and flush scale from heat exchangers. If you are replacing a failed tank, our water heater replacement page covers the emergency route.
Tankless pros and cons, honestly
Tankless suits some homes very well and others poorly. This is the tradeoff list we walk through on the phone.
| Point | Upside | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water supply. | Continuous as long as flow stays within the unit's limit. | Too many fixtures at once can overwhelm it. |
| Space. | Compact wall unit, frees floor area. | Needs a suitable wall and clearances. |
| Standby loss. | No stored hot water to keep warm. | Savings depend on your use. |
| Installation. | Can be placed in more spots. | Often needs larger gas line, new circuit or new vent. |
| Maintenance. | Flushing restores performance. | Scale buildup needs regular attention. |
| Permits. | Standard process. | Plan check required in Greenacres. |
| Repairs. | Long-lived heat exchanger when kept clean. | Parts and board repairs can cost more than a tank part. |
Gas or electric: picking the fuel
Gas tankless units move a lot of heat and need a properly sized gas line plus a vent to the outdoors. Electric tankless units need no vent but demand a large electrical load, which may need a panel upgrade. Neither is a plug-and-play swap for a tank.
Whole-house electric units can pull enough power that the panel and wiring become the main project. We look at your service size before we recommend a model.
Gas considerations
The gas line must supply enough volume for the burner, and the vent must handle the exhaust. If you ever notice a gas odor, leave the building and call the gas utility or 911.
Electric considerations
Look at available breaker space, wire size and the distance from the panel to the unit.
How to size a tankless unit
Size by flow, not by tank gallons. Add up the fixtures likely to run at the same time and compare that to the unit's flow capability at your temperature rise.
Count simultaneous fixtures
A shower and a dishwasher together, or two showers and a washer, set the peak demand.
Estimate flow per fixture
Showers, kitchen faucets and washers each draw a different flow, and low-flow heads change the total.
Consider temperature rise
Florida inlet water runs warm, which can reduce the rise a tankless unit must deliver.
Plan for growth
A guest bath, a soaking tub or a pool house changes the peak. Better to size once.
Not sure tankless fits?
Describe your fixtures and fuel, and we will tell you plainly whether on-demand makes sense.
Flushing and descaling a tankless heater
Minerals in water can leave scale inside the heat exchanger, which reduces flow and heating efficiency and can trigger error codes. People ask about flushing and descaling as routine maintenance, and many just want the unit tuned up before a problem appears. A flush circulates a descaling solution through the unit and rinses it clean.
We do not state a hardness figure for Greenacres because the PBCWUD water quality report does not publish one. Test your tap or ask PBCWUD, and if scale is a concern, a softener or filter upstream can protect the unit. See our softener and filtration page for how to read your results.
Plan check is a real step for tankless in Greenacres
Tankless and solar water heaters require plan check through the City, unlike a like-for-like tank changeout, which uses the Palm Beach County Universal Permit Application and a Water Heater Changeout Form. Applications are accepted electronically, and inspections are scheduled by 3:00 pm. A Notice of Commencement is added if the work is $5,000 or more.
Ask the City of Greenacres building department about your address. Planning ahead avoids a delay.
Tankless repair: error codes, no hot water and leaks
Common calls include a beeping unit with an error code, water that never gets hot and a leak at the unit. Codes often point to ignition, flame sensing, flow sensing or exhaust problems, and some callers have found burnt thermocouple wires after opening the cover. We recommend a diagnosis rather than DIY, since gas and high voltage are involved.
Some owners tell us other companies declined to service their unit. We look at it, explain the fault and tell you whether repair or replacement makes sense. If a swap is the answer, see replacement.
What drives tankless cost
Tankless jobs vary more than tank jobs. We give a clear price before work starts.
What insurance may and may not cover
An elective upgrade is generally not an insured event. For a sudden leak or failure, policies differ, so call your insurer and document damage with photos.
Call for your real number once we know the fixtures, fuel and layout.
Tankless units and the plan check
Tankless installations are governed by the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, which Florida builds on the International Plumbing Code (IPC), built on the IPC. The City of Greenacres notes that tankless and solar water heaters require plan review.
That extra step is the main permit difference from a tank swap. Ask the building department how long the plan check takes before you commit to a start date.
Tankless questions
It depends on your water and use. Test your tap or ask PBCWUD, and if scale is a concern, flush more often. We can advise after seeing the unit.
Yes, tankless and solar water heaters require plan check. Ask the City of Greenacres building department.
We do not state a figure because the PBCWUD report does not publish one. Test your tap or ask PBCWUD.
It depends on your gas line, panel capacity and venting. We check both before recommending.
Only if it is sized for that flow. Count simultaneous fixtures to find out.
Yes, we diagnose codes and tell you whether repair or replacement makes sense.