Switching From Tank to Tankless in an Older Portland Home: What’s the Deal?
Did your household suddenly get bigger? Are you running out of hot water more and more frequently? And is that leading to squabbles and late arrivals to work or school?
Switching from a tank to a tankless water heater sounds like the perfect solution. But what does it cost? Is it hard? Is it worth it?
Read on to discover what switching involves, including benefits, challenges, and what you can expect to pay.
Table of Contents
- Why Portland Homeowners Are Making the Switch
- Can I Replace My Tank Water Heater With a Tankless?
- Is It Difficult To Change From Tank to Tankless Water Heater?
- How Much Does It Cost To Switch From a Tank to Tankless Water Heater?
- Benefits of Going Tankless in an Older Portland Home
- Potential Drawbacks To Consider Before Switching From a Tank to a Tankless Water Heater
- How To Decide if Changing From a Tank to a Tankless Water Heater Is Right for Your Home
- All Pro Plumbing: Helping Portland Homeowners Make the Switch From Tank to Tankless With Confidence
Why Portland Homeowners Are Making the Switch
As technology evolves and our world gets more and more high-tech, energy efficiency is getting more important. Many Portland homeowners are seeing the perks of switching from their tank to a new tankless water heater model.
Not only are these new water heating systems likely to save you money on your energy bill, but they also don’t take up nearly as much room in your basement as the tall cylindrical systems do. Many busy Portland households have a constant demand for hot water, and tankless is the way to go. They provide consistent hot water, never running out — unlike the standard tank variety.
Can I Replace My Tank Water Heater With a Tankless?
Yes, most times, however, it depends on your Portland home’s:
- Plumbing
- Gas lines
- Electrical systems
You might need to upgrade some of your existing systems to accommodate your new tankless system, including:
- Increasing your gas supply
- Installing a new venting system
- Upgrading your electrical setup
- Replacing old plumbing
Evaluating Your Home’s Plumbing and Energy Systems
Most older Portland homes will need to replace their venting systems, since a tankless model needs to have sealed PVC or stainless steel venting.
You’ll likely need to replace your home’s old galvanized pipes as well. These can reduce water flow and pressure. Check for scale buildup and restrictions, as these can impact ignition and flow.
Older homes often have undersized gas lines, so you might need to replace them with a larger, newer model, which means replacing your gas meter to meet the new demands. An electric tankless heater will also usually require extensive electrical setup upgrades.
Choosing the Right Tankless Model
To ensure you choose the correct size tankless water heater, you’ll need to find out what the gallons per minute (GPM) are for each of your appliances that use hot water. (For example, your shower, dishwasher, washing machine, and kitchen sink.)
Each of these should list its GPM either on the appliance itself or on the manufacturer’s website. Once you have the numbers, determine how many of those fixtures you’ll likely have going at once. It might be something like a shower, the dishwasher, and a faucet.
Portland’s groundwater temperature is usually between 51° and 55°F, which means the unit will need to work harder to heat the water to the typical 120°F. This means you’ll need a larger unit compared to warmer states to reach the same flow rate.
It’s also important to make sure the unit fits the size of the household — the more people, the higher the GPM unit needed. If you plan on installing additional fixtures or adding renovations to your house, you’ll likely want to size up as well.
Simply put: add your peak GPM + cold inlet water temperature adjustment to choose a unit rated to handle that flow.
Is It Difficult To Change From Tank to Tankless Water Heater?
Unfortunately, it can be. It often requires upgrades to your gas, venting, and electrical systems. Switching from a tank to tankless water heater is more like a mini-remodel than an appliance swap.
Common Challenges in Older Portland Homes
Many older Portland homes have gas lines designed for small tank systems. A tankless system requires much more fuel, so pipes and meters might need to be replaced with modern, wider pipes.
Tank heaters often vent into old chimneys or B-vent pipes. A tankless installation will require new sealed PVC or steel venting and a drain for condensation.
You may need an entire electrical panel upgrade if you decide on an electric tankless water heater. A gas model requires a standard 120V outlet nearby, so you may need to have a new outlet installed close to the unit. An electric unit requires a 200A electrical panel, which most older homes don’t have. That necessitates a complete panel replacement and upgrade to meet the electricity input needs.
If your home has galvanized pipes, they will need to be replaced, as they are smaller and can restrict water flow. Tankless water systems need steady water pressure and a consistent flow of water. Any corroded pipes should be replaced as well.
Tankless units are more compact than a standard tank unit, however, they have their own space requirements. Some older houses may not have the correct wall space in their basements or tight utility closets. You’ll also need room for the vent paths, condensation drains, and any Portland winter freeze protection if your unit is outside.
How All Pro Plumbing Simplifies the Process
Going from a tank to tankless water heater requires several permits, specific code compliance, and at least one inspection.
A plumbing permit is required for the water heater replacement itself. You’ll need a mechanical permit if you upgrade the gas line or meter. And if you need to upgrade anything electrical, an electrical permit is required.
As for code compliance, your new tankless unit will need to meet the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code. Gas pipes must be sized correctly, and the vent materials and terminations need to be accurate and up to code. The dedicated electric circuit and service upgrades must meet National Electric Code (NEC) standards.
A city inspector will come to your home and verify that all the work was done correctly and meets all the required codes. Once cleared, you’ll receive a signed-off permit record.
All Pro Plumbing will take care of the entire process so you don’t have to. We’ll do all the paperwork, and you’ll get all the benefits — like endless hot water, cheaper energy bills, and fewer family arguments.
How Much Does It Cost To Switch From a Tank to Tankless Water Heater?
Changing from a tank to a tankless water heater, on average, costs between $1,500-$5,500, depending on the upgrades needed and the type of fuel. However, a complete renovation plus all the bells and whistles can jump the average cost to $7,000 or more.
Factors That Affect Installation Costs
Several factors will determine the cost of switching to a tankless unit, including:
- Gas vs electric unit
- Condensing vs non-condensing
- Unit size
- Brand name
- Home modification upgrades (gas/electric/plumbing)
- Venting requirements
- Complexity of installation
- Amount of labor needed
- Permits and inspections required
- Removal of the old unit
Rebates and Incentives in Portland
Your unit may qualify for $300–$400 savings from Energy Trust of Oregon and up to 30% off your total cost with federal tax credits. The state of Oregon is also developing two new rebate programs for low/mid-income households that should be released in late 2025 or early 2026.
Benefits of Going Tankless in an Older Portland Home
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Tankless systems heat water “on-demand” instead of continually heating 40–50 gallons of water all day long. This could significantly lower your energy bills. Many Portland homeowners use solar thermal energy to power theirs. They also last longer than the standard tank system.
Better Performance for Large Families or High Demand
If your tankless water heater is sized correctly, it will provide you with an endless stream of hot water that large families can use all at once. They are perfect for households that use multiple appliances and faucets simultaneously.
You may even be able to run two showers and a dishwasher at once, saving the household time — no need to wait for the water to reheat.
The professionals at All Pro Plumbing will help you determine which tankless unit size will be perfect for your home and your family’s needs. Leave the headaches to us; we’ll take care of the entire project from start to finish.
Potential Drawbacks To Consider Before Switching From a Tank to a Tankless Water Heater
Possible downsides to making the change from a tank to a tankless water heater include::
- Higher upfront costs
- Upgrades needed for older homes
- Flow limitations if not correctly sized
- Regular maintenance
- Permit and inspection process
How To Decide if Changing From a Tank to a Tankless Water Heater Is Right for Your Home
When you’re considering switching from a tank to a tankless water heater ask yourself these questions before making your final decision:
Budget
- Can you afford the upfront costs and regular yearly maintenance?
Hot water usage
- How many fixtures do you typically run at the same time?
- Do you constantly run out of hot water with your current tank system?
- Do you have a large household?
Home age and systems
- Is your current gas line large enough?
- Does your electrical panel have enough space, or do you need to upgrade?
- Do you have old galvanized pipes?
- Do you have room for a new venting system and condensation drain?
Space and layout
- Do you need to free up space in your basement or utility closet?
- Do you have a suitable spot with enough wall space and room for the venting and drain?
Maintenance and lifestyle
- Are you alright with yearly flushing/descaling?
- Do you plan on staying in the house long-term?
- Do you qualify for rebates and incentives?
All Pro Plumbing: Helping Portland Homeowners Make the Switch From Tank to Tankless With Confidence
At All Pro Plumbing, we take the guesswork out of replacing your old tank water system with a modern, energy-efficient tankless system. We’ll handle the installation process and paperwork, and you’ll enjoy back-to-back showers.
For residential and commercial plumbing problems and all things water heaters, we’re the ones Portland calls, and we hope you will too. Ready to talk to one of our plumbing pros? Contact us online or give us a call at (503) 579-5555.
