I received a quote for $10k to remove 2 tank water heaters from my attic, and replace with a single Navien 240A2 unit. How crazy is the price since the tankless water heater itself is about $2k? The existing gas line is sufficient, the only thing I would need is an electrician to install a conventional 120v plug for the tankless water heater.

The company said the Navien 240A2 is sufficient to cover 3 full bathrooms, and comes with an internal recirculation pump.

I was thinking the price would be closer to $5K, but I'm curious what others are seeing. I'm located in Round Rock if that makes that big of a difference.

I've replaced 2 40gal water heaters in the attic in the past 2 years - definitely on the list of worst DIY things I've done. I stuck my foot through the kitchen ceiling both times, as if getting the stupid things up and down wasnt bad enough. The bid probably includes a loss reserve for that sort of thing - it's easy to slip off the decking when you're carrying a 200lb barrel.

Otherwise - do you have to remove the existing? Can you just drain them and leave them in place? I had to remove mine because the new ones had to go in the same spot, but since you're changing to a tankless that might not be a concern.

I need to remove the existing because that's where the tankless has to go. Also, where the tanked water heaters are, the attic is decked, and the tanks are at the top of the staircase landing, so it should be a simple removal and install. It just seems crazy that you'd have approx $8k in labor for what should be a simple job for a plumber. I'd figure 2 guys and maybe a full days labor.

Did you get a couple of estimates for this project ?


Tankless retrofit can be fun especially in attics.



Are they removing the existing heaters from the attic ?


Inside the city limits with plumbing and electrical permit being pulled ?

Is electrician tying into existing circuit in the attic or is having to run a new circuit from the breaker box ?



Where are they going to tie the condensation drain in at ?

Did you get a couple of estimates for this project ?
I had the plumber out to look at a water softener issue, so I asked for a tankless water heater replacement out of curiosity. My existing tanks are probably between 5 and 8 yrs old, so I don't need an immediate replacement, but I don't want to get caught too off guard. This is the first estimate I have received. Wasn't planning on getting any others since I'm not going to replace the tanked heaters because they are fine.

Tankless retrofit can be fun especially in attics.
The guy that gave me an estimate said it was a simple install. Easy to get to, plenty of room and access. Just need a 120v plug near the existing water heaters for the tankless unit.


Are they removing the existing heaters from the attic ?
Removing. They take up a lot of space in the attic and I just assume they would be gone.

Inside the city limits with plumbing and electrical permit being pulled ?

Inside the city limits, so I assume they would pull a permit. I'd be on the hook for electric.

Is electrician tying into existing circuit in the attic or is having to run a new circuit from the breaker box ?

Electric isn't part of the quote since it's a different trade.

Where are they going to tie the condensation drain in at ?

There are two drain pans and lines for the two water heaters, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I agree with Tango.Mike so drain & leave tanks in place or roll them out of the way.
Order from a plumber this new tankless install and instruct him to add new pipes to a new location for it - if needed.
This scenario suggests under $4-5k, as per advice here:
https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_install_tankless_gas_water_heater.html

Of course, getting a

• more detailed estimate to be amended to suit budget
• a 2nd detailed bid

are prudent & wise

$4-5K seems way more reasonable. Again, I'm not in need of a replacement, I was more of less kicking tires since I already had them out to look at a water softener issue. Seems when I'm ready to make a move, I'll need a few more estimates.

The water softener on the other had was also. Crazy bid, $3500 for a water softener! No thank you.

Have not priced a retrofit system in a long time but my guess is worst case


Heater and parts $3000
Plumber labor and permit $3000
Electrical labor and permit $1000

dsvogel05 said:

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I received a quote for $10k to remove 2 tank water heaters from my attic, and replace with a single Navien 240A2 unit. How crazy is the price since the tankless water heater itself is about $2k? The existing gas line is sufficient, the only thing I would need is an electrician to install a conventional 120v plug for the tankless water heater.

The company said the Navien 240A2 is sufficient to cover 3 full bathrooms, and comes with an internal recirculation pump.

I was thinking the price would be closer to $5K, but I'm curious what others are seeing. I'm located in Round Rock if that makes that big of a difference.

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I had this exact thing done in September. Remove two water tanks from attic and replaced with a Navien 240A2. Total was $5300. I'm in a Dallas suburb.

Have the contractor quote replacing with a bitcoin heater

https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/superheat-bitcoin-water-heater-ces-2026/

Bear with this poor dumb country hick for a minute but why on earth would a home builder put hot water tanks in the attic? Makes no sense at all ........a disaster just waiting to happen. Ask my brother......

Rattler12 said:

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Bear with this poor dumb country hick for a minute but why on earth would a home builder put hot water tanks in the attic? Makes no sense at all ........a disaster just waiting to happen. Ask my brother......

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It's egregious. One of the dumber construction features I've experienced. Why anyone would want 400lbs of water in the attic is beyond me. One guy tried to convince me it was great because the 300 degree attic would preheat the water. Even relighting the pilot if the gas is off is an adventure on the surface of the sun. Ours is especially stupid because one of the tanks is in the back corner - over the living room tray ceiling, past the HVAC and dehumidifier, around the ducts, squeezed into a slope 0.7" higher than the height of the tank

I've never seen it in the five other states we've lived in, but it's a cultural custom here in Louisiana

I did something similar last year. Removed two 40gal that were on opposite sides of the attic with a Rinnai tankless. It was around 8k. I didn't shop around that hard as one of our units was failing badly (leaking heavily into secondary drain) so we had to move quick to avoid a real catastrophe.