Tankless Water Heater in Clinton, MD

When a tankless heater makes sense

• Your tank is aging and you want something that lasts longer and takes less room
• A large household runs out of hot water before everyone has showered
• You'd like hot water on demand for a big soaking tub or a finished basement suite
• Your existing tankless unit cycles on and off, shows error codes or delivers lukewarm water
• Gas bills for standby heating on an old tank seem high for what you use

Clinton conditions that shape the job

The median home in Clinton was built around 1987, newer than places like Temple Hills or Suitland closer to the District. That usually means a basement or garage utility area, a gas line in reasonable shape and wall space for a mounted unit. It doesn't mean the existing pipe is sized for tankless. A whole-house gas model can need several times the gas flow of a tank, so expect the plumber to check the run from the meter.

Water comes from WSSC Water, drawn from the Potomac River and from the Patuxent River's Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett reservoirs. WSSC disinfects with chlorine and adds a corrosion inhibitor that coats pipes, including those on your side of the meter. Its annual report doesn't list a hardness figure for any single neighborhood, so test at the tap before choosing a softener. Inside the house, everything from the property line in is the owner's pipe under WSSC's service line rules.

What affects the cost

• Fuel. Gas units cost more to install; electric units may need more electrical capacity.
• Gas line work. Upsizing pipe from the meter adds labor and materials.
• Vent route. Sidewall venting is usually simpler than a long run to the roof.
• Permit and inspection. WSSC Water permits water heater replacements and inspects gasfitting.
• Extras. Isolation valves, a condensate drain and a recirculation option add to the total.

What happens when you call

We connect you with an independent plumber who covers Clinton. Have the age, size and fuel of your current heater handy, plus the number of bathrooms. If you notice a gas smell, leave the house first, then call 911 and the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1, from a safe place.