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 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

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......

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.

Send me his contact. Just got a quote for the exact water heater , removing two existing 20 year-old Rinnai tankless as well.. replacing with a single 240 Navien. Hook ups are all there although we only need one vent and to tie into existing drain. Also add water pans ($400). Pulling permits etc .

$6700 all in for the S2, no recirc.
$7500 for the A2.
For customer supplied unit, they take off $2200 which is what they're going for online for sale at supply stop
In Frisco.

After removing parts, it seems a labor runs about $3000

Sorry for the misspellings been talking into my phone

Josh at DR Plumbing. (972) 829-5137

Seems awfully high. I'd shop it around.
Unit price should be in the $2500 range.

The internal circulated pump is nice, but believe you have to install a recirc valve at the far end of your plumbing to do it (under kitchen sink) or something. Didn't do that on ours, we just wait the 20 seconds to get hot water in the kitchen as the unit is right above the bathroom and its hot in just over line volume.

Gut feeling should be in the $5-7k range?

$12k was my entire new build plumbing including the water line from the road, and I bought the heater separate for $2500 ish.

If you're getting new water heaters, have you thought about a recirculating system? Man, I want that in my house - instant hot water.

Yep, that's the A2, $800 delta.

Comeby! said:

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Yep, that's the A2, $800 delta.

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Do it. You won't regret it.

I'm thinking the same. Timed the hot water to my master sink….. 7 mins.

Comeby! said:

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I'm thinking the same. Timed the hot water to my master sink….. 7 mins.

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7 minutes!?! Damn. Keep us posted on how you like the recirculating system.

Tankless is great. I've replaced dual tanks with a single tankless in 2 different houses now. Navien and Rannai are both great. My understanding was the Navien was better if you had hard water so maybe check on the heat exchanger construction (SS vs copper).

$10k seems high. I had mine done by an independent contractor last time for about $5k all in. You pay more if they work for a big company.

The recirculation is probably great if your house plumbing is set up for it. I've got pex manifolds so there isn't a big return loop. I've got about 2 dozen mini-loops so I'm not set up for recirc.

If you do go tankless, learn how to 'clean' them and get the supplies beforehand.

I had one at an old house and bought a HF pump and a set of washer supply lines.

Using a 5-gallon bucket, the pump and the lines, I could descale the unit in about an hour or so and helped with the life of the unit.


Another suggestion is installing an in-line HW filter. If you have hard water, you no longer have a 'storage' tank for the particles; they'll travel the line to the users. I was CONSTANTLY unclogging the filter on our kitchen sink, master bath sinks and shower head (largest users) until I installed a HW filter. I would 'rinse' the filter out and reuse it, since the particles it caught were 'big'.

I bought something similar to this: High Temp Filter Housing

And these filters: High Temp Filters

~egon

I've been wanting to replace my short hot water heater with a gas tankless. My heater is in the attack for my condo. Right now, I'm out of hot water after about a 20-minute hot shower. My tub can't even fill up without running out of hot water.

I'm also looking at getting setup for hurricane season with my backup generator and would like to remove the electric hot water heater from my total power calculation.

Anyone know of a good company in the greater houston area I should be looking at, for a fair price? I think the last time I was testing the waters, I was seeing between $5,500-$6,000.