Once I heard some people assume that installing a tankless water heater is no different then installing a standard tank water heater. These people are so wrong and will run into many problems down the road. But if you recognize the difference between them, problems will not exist.

    Here are some details about the installation.

    1.    Being prepared:

     Do not count on the tankless water heater to come with installation instructions. Most of the time there are never instructions with these units. Following the instructions and understanding as much as possible before you start will make installation a breeze.

    2.    Space:

    Making sure you have the necessary room for the tankless water heater is the first important step. I know this sound like a “duh” moment but I am sure that we have all seen it happen at least once in our lives. They do take up a less amount of room than a regular tank water heater; there is still an issue of clearance that needs to be taken in account.

    3.    Safety:

    The unit can not be touching any of the walls. The outside of the tankless water heaters can and will become very hot causing serious problems if it were to be touching any flammable surface.

    4.    Parts:

    Having the proper fittings and the right venting for the unit will save you a lot of time and aggravation. It is very important that you have the right parts before you start. Nothing is more aggravating then finding out you have the wrong parts or fittings and then the stores are all closed. Proper parts are easily obtained at the same place that you made your purchase for the unit.

    Overall the installation of a tankless water heater could be a great learning experience for you, and I hope that the above skills could do you a favor. But if you don’t have some experience in this area it might be best to turn it over to a professional.