A&B Plumbing installs new tankless water heaters in Hickory, Conover, Newton, and across Catawba County. Whether you are replacing an old tank with a tankless for the first time or installing tankless in new construction, we handle the gas-line sizing, the venting, the condensate drain, the permit, and the inspection. You get one bill and one point of contact.
We are a Navien Service Specialist. Brandon is factory-trained on the NPE, NPN, and NCB lines. We also install Rinnai, Rheem, and Noritz units. The brand and model recommendation comes after we look at your gas service, your hot-water demand, and your install location.
The four reasons Hickory homeowners switch to tankless:
If you want a side-by-side cost and lifespan comparison, see the table on our tankless water heater service page.
The most common type in Hickory installs. Gas tankless units use a sealed combustion burner and a heat exchanger. Most condensing models (Navien NPE, Rinnai Sensei) vent in PVC and produce a small amount of condensate that drains to a floor drain or pump. Non-condensing models use stainless venting and run a bit lower in efficiency.
Lower install complexity but high electrical demand - a whole-house electric tankless typically draws 100 to 150 amps. Most Hickory homes need a service-panel upgrade before electric tankless makes sense. We size and recommend honestly: if your panel cannot support it, we say so.
A combi unit handles both domestic hot water and hydronic space heat. They are common in newer townhomes and as a replacement when the existing boiler reaches end of life. We install and service the Navien NCB line.
Tankless capacity is measured in gallons per minute (GPM) at a given temperature rise. We size based on three things: how many hot-water fixtures you would run at once during peak demand (typically a shower plus a kitchen sink, plus possibly a dishwasher or washing machine), the incoming groundwater temperature in winter (which is colder and reduces effective output), and the temperature rise needed to reach your target.
For a typical 2-to-3-bathroom Hickory home, that usually lands at a 180,000 to 199,000 BTU unit - a Navien NPE-180 or NPE-210, a Rinnai RX180, or a Rheem RTGH-95. Larger homes or homes with two simultaneous showers running may need a 240,000 BTU unit or a two-unit cascade. We size honestly; an undersized tankless will run out of hot water under heavy demand.
NC requires a plumbing permit for water heater replacement in nearly every situation. A&B Plumbing pulls the permit, performs the install to North Carolina State Plumbing Code, and schedules the city or county inspector. The permit fee is included in the quote.
Venting for tankless follows manufacturer specifications and NC mechanical code. Common requirements:
We handle all of this as part of the install. Unlicensed handyman installs frequently fail inspection on venting and gas-line sizing - we see them.
The old tank is part of the install scope. We drain it, disconnect gas and water, haul it out, and dispose of it properly through our scrap-metal recycler. You do not need to do anything with the old unit. Floor under where the tank sat often has a small water stain or some sediment debris - we clean that up too.
A standard tank-to-tankless conversion is a one-day install for our crew. We arrive in the morning, pull and dispose of the old tank, run gas-line and venting changes, mount and connect the tankless, start it up, and commission it - usually with hot water restored by mid-to-late afternoon. The inspection is typically scheduled within a few business days after the install; you do not need to be there for it, we meet the inspector.
Complex installs (new construction, basement-to-attic vent runs, panel upgrades for electric tankless, gas-meter upgrades) can stretch to two days. We tell you on the quote so there are no surprises.
Brand and model recommendation depends on your hot-water demand, gas service, and budget. We size honestly - an undersized tankless is a waste of money.
Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM. Permit, inspection, and disposal of the old tank included. Financing available.
Call (980) 276-0199For service and maintenance on an existing tankless unit, see tankless water heater service. For tankless repair (error codes, descaling, ignition), see tankless water heater repair. For tank water heater service and repair-vs-replace guidance, see water heater repair Hickory NC and tank water heater service.
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