Tankless Water Heater Installation & Repair Services in Schererville, IN and the Surrounding Areas
Reichelt Plumbing installs and repairs tankless water heaters for homes and businesses throughout Schererville and Northwest Indiana. Fully licensed, bonded, and insured, our team is BBB Accredited A+ and has provided water heater service to Northwest Indiana homeowners since 1986. A properly sized and maintained gas tankless water heater has an expected service life of 18 to 20 years, roughly double that of a traditional tank unit, and eliminates the standby heat loss that accounts for a meaningful share of a tank system’s energy use. We are verified on Google Reviews and HomeAdvisor. Current coupon savings on qualifying installations are available. Tankless water heater not producing hot water, or considering an upgrade in Schererville? Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906 for licensed, same-day service.
He was professional, explained everything very well and did an awesome job.
Why Homeowners Choose Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless units heat water on demand rather than maintaining a large stored volume around the clock, which eliminates standby heat loss and reduces energy consumption when hot water is not actively being used. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating accounts for 14 to 18 percent of a typical home’s total energy use, and removing standby loss meaningfully reduces that share for households with well-matched usage patterns. Tankless units are also significantly smaller than a storage tank, and because they never store water, they avoid the tank corrosion that limits a traditional unit to an 8 to 12 year service life.
Tankless Water Heater Services We Provide
Tankless Water Heater Installation
Every installation begins with calculating the household’s actual peak hot water demand in gallons per minute, evaluating existing gas supply capacity, and confirming a viable venting route before any unit is selected. This sizing-first approach prevents the undersized installations that leave homeowners disappointed with a tankless system that cannot keep pace with real household demand.
Tankless Water Heater Repair
Ignition failures, flow sensor issues, gas supply problems, and heat exchanger scale buildup are all diagnosed accurately before any repair is recommended. Reichelt Plumbing technicians carry diagnostic tools for all major tankless brands and interpret manufacturer error codes to identify the specific cause quickly.
Annual Descaling and Maintenance
Northwest Indiana’s moderate water mineral content deposits scale on tankless heat exchangers over time, and because the tankless heat exchanger has a much smaller surface area than a tank system, scale accumulation affects performance proportionally faster. Annual descaling, inlet filter cleaning, and venting inspection keep a tankless unit performing at its rated capacity.
Gas Line Evaluation
Gas tankless units require significantly more BTU input than a comparable tank unit. Reichelt Plumbing evaluates gas line capacity from the meter to the installation location before every tankless installation to confirm the existing supply can support the selected unit without excessive pressure drop.
Common Tankless Water Heater Problems We Solve
- No hot water produced from ignition failure, gas supply issues, or a tripped safety switch
- Water going cold during sustained use from heat exchanger scale buildup
- Inconsistent temperature or reduced flow from a clogged inlet filter
- Popping or rumbling sounds during operation from mineral scale accumulation
- Error codes indicating ignition, flow sensor, or gas supply faults
- Units installed without proper gas line sizing that cannot reach full rated capacity
Repair Versus Replacement
Repair is the right call for a specific component failure on a unit under roughly 10 years old. Replacement becomes the more practical option once the heat exchanger itself has failed, the unit is approaching or past 15 years of service, or repair cost approaches a significant share of the cost of a new unit. Reichelt Plumbing evaluates unit age and the specific failure before recommending either path, rather than defaulting to the more expensive option.
Why Schererville Homeowners Choose Reichelt Plumbing for Tankless Service
| Why Choose Reichelt Plumbing | Tankless Water Heater Service in Schererville, IN |
| 38+ Years of Experience | 38 years of licensed plumbing experience throughout Northwest Indiana since 1986 |
| Licensed and Insured | Fully licensed, bonded, and insured per Indiana Professional Licensing Agency requirements |
| BBB Accredited A+ | A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau, verified since 1986 |
| Flat-Rate Pricing | Upfront flat-rate pricing confirmed before any work begins |
| 18-Month Guarantee | 18-month workmanship guarantee on qualifying installation and repair work |
| 24/7 Emergency Response | Around-the-clock availability for genuine plumbing emergencies |
| Background-Checked Technicians | Every field technician passes a background check before arriving at your property |
| Verified Reviews | Google Reviews | HomeAdvisor | BBB | Facebook |
Frequently Asked Questions: Tankless Water Heater Installation & Repair
What tankless water heater services does Reichelt Plumbing provide in Schererville, IN?
Reichelt Plumbing provides tankless water heater installation, repair, descaling, annual maintenance, and gas supply line evaluation for homes and businesses throughout Schererville and Northwest Indiana. Every installation includes proper unit sizing based on the household’s actual peak hot water demand rather than a generic recommendation.
How long do tankless water heaters typically last?
A properly maintained gas tankless water heater has an expected service life of 18 to 20 years, roughly double that of a traditional tank water heater, which typically lasts 8 to 12 years. Reaching the upper end of that range requires annual descaling, particularly in Northwest Indiana where moderate water mineral content deposits on heat exchanger surfaces over time, along with timely repair of individual component failures as they occur.
What are the main benefits of switching to a tankless water heater?
Tankless units heat water on demand rather than maintaining a large stored volume, which eliminates standby heat loss and reduces the energy consumed when hot water is not actively being used. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating accounts for 14 to 18 percent of a typical home’s total energy use, and eliminating standby loss meaningfully reduces that share for households with appropriate usage patterns. Tankless units are also significantly smaller than a storage tank, freeing up space in a utility room or closet.
Do tankless water heaters really provide unlimited hot water?
Within the unit’s rated flow capacity, yes. A tankless unit heats water continuously as it passes through rather than depleting a fixed stored volume, so a shower does not run out of hot water the way it can with an undersized tank. Demand that exceeds the unit’s rated gallons-per-minute capacity, such as multiple showers and a dishwasher running simultaneously, can still outpace what a single tankless unit can deliver, which is why proper sizing for the household’s actual peak demand matters.
What size tankless water heater does a typical Schererville home need?
Sizing is based on the household’s peak simultaneous hot water demand, measured in gallons per minute, combined with the required temperature rise for the local incoming water temperature. A two-bathroom home with typical usage may be well served by a mid-capacity unit, while a larger household running multiple fixtures simultaneously needs a higher-capacity unit or a multi-unit configuration. Reichelt Plumbing calculates actual demand for each household rather than defaulting to a single standard size.
What causes a tankless water heater to stop producing hot water?
Common causes include a failed igniter or flame sensor preventing the burner from lighting, a gas supply issue delivering inadequate pressure for the unit to fire at full capacity, a tripped high-limit safety switch, or heavy mineral scale on the heat exchanger reducing heat transfer to the point of triggering a safety shutdown. Reichelt Plumbing diagnoses the specific cause before recommending repair.
Why does my tankless water heater go cold during a long shower?
This typically indicates either heat exchanger scale buildup limiting the unit’s heat transfer capacity under sustained demand, a gas supply that cannot maintain adequate pressure for continuous full-capacity operation, or a unit that is undersized for the simultaneous demand being placed on it. Annual descaling resolves the scale-related cause, which is the most common of the three in Northwest Indiana installations that have gone several years without service.
What is the cold water sandwich effect in a tankless water heater?
The cold water sandwich is a brief burst of cool water that appears between two uses of hot water in quick succession, caused by warm water already sitting in the supply pipe being used up before the tankless unit has fully ramped up to heat the next incoming flow. It typically lasts only a few seconds and is a characteristic of tankless operation rather than a sign of a malfunction, though certain plumbing configurations can make it more or less noticeable.
How often should a tankless water heater be descaled?
Annual descaling is recommended for tankless units in Northwest Indiana, where municipal water carries moderate mineral content that deposits on heat exchanger surfaces over time. The process circulates a food-grade acidic solution through the unit to dissolve accumulated scale before it reaches a thickness that measurably reduces heating performance or triggers safety shutdowns.
What does tankless water heater maintenance involve?
Annual maintenance includes descaling the heat exchanger, cleaning or replacing the inlet water filter, inspecting the unit for leaks, corrosion, or loose connections, testing burner and ignition function on gas units, and verifying venting is clear and properly sealed. Reichelt Plumbing provides comprehensive tankless maintenance for Schererville homeowners and businesses.
Why is proper venting so important for gas tankless water heaters?
Without proper venting, combustion byproducts including carbon monoxide can accumulate rather than being safely expelled from the structure, creating a serious health and safety risk. Vent blockages from debris such as bird nests, damaged or disconnected vent pipe sections, and improperly sealed connections can all compromise venting safety. Reichelt Plumbing inspects venting integrity as a standard part of every tankless service call.
What is the difference between natural draft, power vent, and direct vent tankless installations?
Natural draft venting relies on the buoyancy of hot exhaust gases and requires a vertical flue run. Power vent installations use an electric blower to push exhaust through a vent that can run horizontally to an exterior wall, useful where a vertical run is not available. Direct vent installations draw combustion air from outside the building through a sealed system rather than from the room, appropriate for tightly sealed installation spaces. Reichelt Plumbing evaluates the installation location before recommending a venting approach.
Does my gas line need to be evaluated before installing a tankless water heater?
Yes. Gas tankless water heaters require significantly more BTU input than a comparable tank unit to heat water on demand, and the existing gas supply line must be able to deliver that BTU demand without excessive pressure drop. Reichelt Plumbing evaluates gas line capacity from the meter to the proposed installation location before recommending any specific tankless unit.
Can a tankless water heater be installed in any existing home, or does it require special preparation?
Most homes can accommodate a tankless installation, but the specific gas supply capacity, venting route, and electrical requirements for units with an igniter or blower need to be evaluated first. Some older homes require gas line upsizing to support a tankless unit’s full BTU demand, which Reichelt Plumbing identifies during the initial evaluation rather than after installation has begun.
What is the difference between repairing and replacing a tankless water heater?
Repair is the right call for a specific component failure, such as an igniter, flame sensor, or circuit board, on a unit under roughly 10 years old. Replacement becomes the more practical choice when the heat exchanger itself has failed, when the unit is approaching or past 15 years of service, or when the repair cost approaches a significant share of the cost of a new unit. Reichelt Plumbing evaluates unit age and the specific failure before recommending either path.
What error codes commonly appear on a tankless water heater that is not working properly?
Common codes indicate ignition failure, flow sensor issues, overtemperature conditions typically related to heat exchanger scale, and gas supply faults. The specific code displayed on the unit maps to a specific cause in the manufacturer’s documentation, and Reichelt Plumbing technicians carry diagnostic tools for all major tankless brands to interpret these codes accurately.
Do tankless water heaters require electricity to operate?
Most gas tankless water heaters require a standard electrical connection to power the electronic ignition system, control board, and any exhaust blower on power vent models. This means a gas tankless unit generally will not produce hot water during a power outage, even though it does not rely on electricity for the primary heating function the way an electric unit does.
Can hard water damage a tankless water heater faster than a tank unit?
Tankless units are more sensitive to mineral scale than tank units because the heat exchanger in a tankless system has a much smaller surface area relative to the heat transfer demand placed on it, meaning scale accumulation has a proportionally larger impact on performance. This is precisely why annual descaling is emphasized more heavily for tankless units than for tank water heaters in areas with Northwest Indiana’s moderate water mineral content.
What is the inlet water filter on a tankless water heater and why does it need cleaning?
The inlet filter is a small screen that prevents sediment and debris from entering the unit’s internal components. When it becomes clogged, it restricts water flow into the unit, which can drop flow below the minimum threshold needed to activate the burner, producing symptoms that resemble a more serious malfunction. Cleaning the inlet filter is a routine part of annual tankless maintenance.
Can a tankless water heater be repaired if it is still under manufacturer warranty?
Yes, though warranty terms typically require repairs to be performed by a licensed technician and may specify use of manufacturer-approved parts. Reichelt Plumbing is licensed to service all major tankless brands and works within manufacturer warranty requirements. Contacting the manufacturer first to confirm warranty coverage before authorizing repair work is a reasonable first step for a unit still under warranty.
What brands of tankless water heaters does Reichelt Plumbing install?
Reichelt Plumbing installs Navien and other major tankless brands for Schererville homes and businesses, selecting the appropriate brand and model based on the household’s sizing needs, venting configuration, and gas supply capacity rather than defaulting to a single product line.
Why does my tankless water heater make a popping or rumbling sound?
Popping or rumbling sounds during operation typically indicate mineral scale accumulation on the heat exchanger, similar to the mechanism that causes these sounds in tank water heaters, though the tankless heat exchanger’s smaller size means scale-related symptoms often appear sooner. Descaling generally resolves this issue when caught before scale buildup becomes severe.
Is a tankless water heater a good fit for a home with well water in Northwest Indiana?
Well water can carry higher sediment or mineral content than municipal water depending on the specific well and local aquifer conditions, which makes the inlet filter and descaling schedule even more important for a tankless installation. Reichelt Plumbing evaluates the specific water conditions at well-supplied properties before recommending a tankless unit and maintenance interval.
Does a tankless water heater need a pressure relief valve like a tank unit?
Yes. Tankless water heaters include their own temperature and pressure safety devices appropriate to their design, similar in purpose to the T&P relief valve on a tank unit, to prevent unsafe temperature or pressure conditions during operation.
What should I do if I smell gas near my tankless water heater?
Turn off the gas supply valve serving the unit if it is safe to reach. If the smell is strong or you cannot safely reach the valve, leave the building immediately without using any electrical switches or open flames, and call the gas utility’s emergency line and 911 from outside. Reichelt Plumbing addresses gas line plumbing connections after the utility has confirmed the supply is safe.
Can a tankless water heater serve an entire house with one unit?
In most residential applications, yes, provided the unit is correctly sized for the home’s peak simultaneous demand. Larger homes or households with unusually high simultaneous hot water demand sometimes benefit from a multi-unit configuration rather than a single larger unit, which Reichelt Plumbing evaluates on a case-by-case basis.
How does Reichelt Plumbing determine which tankless unit is right for my household?
We calculate the household’s peak simultaneous hot water demand in gallons per minute based on the number and type of fixtures likely to run at once, determine the required temperature rise based on local incoming water temperature, and match that demand profile to a unit with adequate rated capacity, factoring in gas supply and venting constraints specific to the installation location.
Do you offer coupon savings on tankless water heater installation in Schererville?
Yes. Reichelt Plumbing offers coupon savings on qualifying water heater installation. Current offers are available at our plumbing coupons page. Ask our team about applicable savings when scheduling your tankless installation.
What is the process for a typical tankless water heater installation?
Reichelt Plumbing evaluates gas supply capacity and venting requirements at the proposed location, sizes the unit to the household’s actual peak demand, completes the installation with proper gas, water, and electrical connections, verifies venting is correctly routed and sealed, and tests the complete system before considering the installation finished.
How do I schedule tankless water heater installation or repair in Schererville, IN?
Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906 to schedule tankless water heater installation, repair, descaling, or maintenance in Schererville and throughout Northwest Indiana. Our licensed technicians evaluate gas supply and sizing before any installation and are available 24/7 for tankless water heater emergencies.
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