{"id":82605,"date":"2023-02-14T17:21:22","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T20:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=82605"},"modified":"2025-12-27T15:28:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T18:28:06","slug":"tankless-water-heater-price","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Tankless water heaters, also called demand-type heaters, have been growing in use in the United States since the 1990s. While conventional water heaters keep a supply of water constantly heated, tankless water heaters heat water as it is needed. Installing a tankless water heater costs an average of <strong>$2,360<\/strong>, with most homeowners paying between <strong>$1,125 to<\/strong> <strong>$3,620<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p>You can buy a tankless water heater for a national average low of <strong>$130<\/strong>, but that doesn\u2019t include installation. Even if you have the do-it-yourself background to install one, there will almost certainly be additional costs to install lines and wiring, easily doubling or tripling the price.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"61c1fd81-ad34-4cf4-93c3-d116118c5930\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Tankless Water Heater\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,i,n,s){var t=\"InfogramEmbeds\",d=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement(\"script\");o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\",d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\");<\/script><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In This Article:<\/strong><\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"#cost\">Average Costs<\/a><\/strong><\/li>    <li><strong><a href=\"#type\">Cost Estimator by Type of Fuel<\/a><\/strong><\/li>    <li><strong><a href=\"#annual\">Cost Estimator by Annual Operating Costs<\/a><\/strong><\/li>    <li><strong><a href=\"#factors\">Other Factors That Affect Cost<\/a><\/strong><\/li>    <li><strong><a href=\"#services\">Related Services<\/a><\/strong><\/li>    <li><strong><a href=\"#location\">Cost by Location<\/a><\/strong><\/li>    <li><strong><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cost\"><strong>Average Tankless Water Heater Costs<\/strong> in 2026<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>National Average Cost<\/strong><\/td><td>$2,360<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Typical Price Range<\/strong><\/td><td>$1,125 &#8211; $3,620<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Extreme Low-End Cost<\/strong><\/td><td>$130 (single-point system without installation)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Extreme High-End Cost<\/strong><\/td><td>$5,045<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p>There is a great variance in the cost of tankless water heaters. The size of the unit will matter; a single-point unit obviously will cost less than a whole-house system. In addition, people are drawn to solar for its cleaner energy and long-term savings, though it is more expensive up front.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>As you start your search, know that the typical price for a tankless water heater ranges from <strong>$1,125 to $3,620<\/strong>, including materials and installation.<\/p>   <div style=\"gap: 20px;\" class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\" id=\"ub-button-019deb51-3f1d-404d-863e-5b824349f3d1\"><div class=\"ub-button-container\"> \t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/quotes.lawnstarter.com\/near-me?location=&amp;service=plumbing&amp;ref=PricingGuides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"ub-button-block-main\" role=\"button\" style=\"--ub-button-background-color: #ff6900; --ub-button-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-border: none; --ub-button-hover-background-color: #313131; --ub-button-hover-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-hover-border: none; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-left-radius: 60px;; border-top-right-radius: 60px;; border-bottom-left-radius: 60px;; border-bottom-right-radius: 60px;; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\" style=\"flex-direction: row\"> \t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">See Pricing In Your Area<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"type\">Cost Estimator by Type of Fuel<\/h2>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"1d257452-b28a-4477-8452-e2cb0c58cf73\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Tankless Water Heater 2\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,i,n,s){var t=\"InfogramEmbeds\",d=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement(\"script\");o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\",d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\");<\/script><\/p>    <p>The type of fuel that you use to provide the heat for a tankless water heater system will affect the price of the unit and its installation. Solar is growing in popularity with its cleaner, sustainable energy and lower operating costs, but it isn\u2019t always available. In addition, some rural areas may have little choice but to use propane.&nbsp;<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Fuel Type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Costs with Installation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Electric<\/td><td>$560 &#8211; $1,700<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Propane<\/td><td>$640 &#8211; $2,420<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Natural gas<\/td><td>$760 &#8211; $2,520<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oil&nbsp;<\/td><td>$800 &#8211; $3,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Solar<\/td><td>$1,360 &#8211; $4,920<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"annual\">Cost Estimator by Annual Operating Cost<\/h2>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"030e8cd0-8ea5-4270-938e-c44d738b7e05\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"Tankless Water Heater 3\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,i,n,s){var t=\"InfogramEmbeds\",d=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement(\"script\");o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\",d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\");<\/script><\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Annual Operating Cost<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Cost<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Electric<\/td><td>$165 &#8211; $360<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Natural gas<\/td><td>$190 &#8211; $400<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Solar<\/td><td>$100 &#8211; $175<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"factors\">Other Factors That Affect Cost<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"#Lifespan\">Lifespan<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Savings\">Savings<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Solar\">Solar<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Patterns\">Usage Patterns<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Costs\">Installation Costs<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Units\">Number of Units<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Maintenance\">Maintenance<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Incentives\">Tax Incentives<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Lifespan\">Lifespan&nbsp;<\/h3>    <p>A tankless water heater is expected to last 20+ years, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/energysaver\/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department of Energy<\/a>. A system with a tank is expected to last 10-15 years.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Savings\">Savings&nbsp;<\/h3>    <p>It saves most homes about $100 per year over a storage system, though the total cost of a tankless water heater can be much greater.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Solar\">Solar&nbsp;<\/h3>    <p>Using solar to heat the water in a tankless system produces an average of $274.46 in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/energysaver\/estimating-cost-and-energy-efficiency-solar-water-heater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">annual savings<\/a>.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Patterns\">Usage Patterns<\/h3>    <p>Cost is affected by these usage patterns of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/energysaver\/articles\/new-infographic-and-projects-keep-your-energy-bills-out-hot-water\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">average household<\/a> in America:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Use<\/strong> 64 gallons of water a day<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Spend<\/strong> $400 to $600 each year heating water<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Find<\/strong> that 14% to 18% of its utility bills go to water heating<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>For households that are outside the normal range of hot water use (64 gallons per day):<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Homes that use a little water,<\/strong> say 41 gallons or less of hot water a day will be 24% to 34% more energy efficient using a tankless system.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Homes that use a lot of water<\/strong>, say 86 gallons or more a day, can be 8% to 14% more energy efficient with a tankless system.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Costs\">Installation Costs<\/h3>    <p>Installation costs may increase over such additional expenses as a need to replace existing lines or to install more venting hoods or electrical circuit-breakers.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Units\">Number of Units<\/h3>    <p>A second tankless water heater may be needed to provide all the hot water needed on-demand at multiple sites (say if you want to run a shower, dishwasher, faucet, and washing machine at the same time).<\/p>    <p>If you have features that call for warm water (think hot tub), you likely will want to include a tankless unit just for it.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Maintenance\">Maintenance<\/h3>    <p>Regular maintenance is important to homeowners, especially if you want the energy savings that come from managing energy costs. The owner&#8217;s manual will have specific maintenance guidelines for electric models, gas tankless water heaters, and solar devices. Even a new tankless water heater should be monitored.<\/p>    <p>A LawnStarter analysis found that regular maintenance is cost-effective. LawnStarter found that the national average <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/home-garden\/annual-home-maintenance-cost\/#:~:text=Minor%20plumbing%20repairs\">cost of minor plumbing repairs<\/a> is <strong>$158 to $417<\/strong>. If you have hard water, ask your plumber how this might affect your system. Hard water can lead to a build up that clogs the pipes, and sometimes the heat exchanger.<\/p>    <p><strong>Pro Tip: <\/strong>Not all plumbers\/technicians are familiar with tankless water units, so they may be learning on the job when they work on your system. You may have to pay a higher fee to a technician trained in tankless water heaters.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Incentives\">Tax Incentives<\/h3>    <p>Tankless water heaters qualify for a tax rebate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/newsroom\/energy-incentives-for-individuals-residential-property-updated-questions-and-answers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">according to the IRS<\/a>:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>26% rebate<\/strong> if installed before January 1, 2023.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>22% rebate <\/strong>if installed after that and before January 1, 2024.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>The rebate does not apply to rentals, but does apply to a primary residence, second home, and new construction.<\/p>    <p>States and cities\/towns have programs, too. A good place to find ones that apply to you is to use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energystar.gov\/rebate-finder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Energy Star rebate list<\/a> or the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dsireusa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DSIRE<\/a>) that is maintained by North Carolina State University.<\/p>   <div style=\"gap: 20px;\" class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\" id=\"ub-button-856f60de-1653-4a76-8793-d27360e46948\"><div class=\"ub-button-container\"> \t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/quotes.lawnstarter.com\/near-me?location=&amp;service=plumbing&amp;ref=PricingGuides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"ub-button-block-main\" role=\"button\" style=\"--ub-button-background-color: #ff6900; --ub-button-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-border: none; --ub-button-hover-background-color: #313131; --ub-button-hover-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-hover-border: none; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-left-radius: 60px;; border-top-right-radius: 60px;; border-bottom-left-radius: 60px;; border-bottom-right-radius: 60px;; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\" style=\"flex-direction: row\"> \t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">See Pricing In Your Area<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"services\">Related Services<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"#Tubs\">Hot Tubs<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Restoration\">Water Damage Restoration<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Panels\">Solar Panels<\/a><br><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#Pools\">Pools<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Tubs\">Hot Tubs<\/h3>    <p>Since you\u2019ve got the plumber on-site, why not get a quote on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/hot-tub-price\/\">cost to install a hot tub<\/a>? A hot tub<strong> <\/strong>can draw water from a tankless water heater, with the unit being part of the national average price of <strong>$6,900<\/strong>, a LawnStarter survey found.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Restoration\">Water Damage Restoration<\/h3>    <p>Water damage restoration<strong> <\/strong>can still be needed, even though there is no storage tank of water to leak. Pipes carry in the water and they can break apart, creating water damage. Fortunately the water that leaks should be Category 1, making the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/home-repairs\/water-damage-restoration\/#assessing\">cleanup cost<\/a> to be <strong>$2.90 to $4.10 per square foot<\/strong>.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Panels\">Solar Panels<\/h3>    <p>Solar panels<strong> <\/strong>can provide the energy to heat the water in a tankless system. Expect to need three panels. While the national average <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/solar-panels-price\/\">cost for a solar panel system<\/a> is <strong>$20,000<\/strong>, the cost of single panels is <strong>$150 to $550<\/strong> apiece.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Pools\">Pools<\/h3>    <p>Pools can be heated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecosmartus.com\/blog\/spa-and-pool-water-heating\/adjusting-pool-temperatures-in-the-summer-with-tankless-heaters.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a tankless system<\/a>. It should be set up to keep the water in the 70 degree F range. Electric, gas, or propane systems will work. A LawnStarter analysis presents the factors that impact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/pool-heater-price\/\">pool heater costs<\/a>, which typically range from <strong>$1,700 to $4,300<\/strong>.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"location\">Cost by Location<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg\" alt=\"map of average temperature of shallow ground water\" class=\"wp-image-84740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3-656x369.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www3.epa.gov\/ceampubl\/learn2model\/part-two\/onsite\/ex\/jne_henrys_map.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EPA<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>Tankless water heaters work efficiently in cold climates, such as Canada and the northern U.S., according to a report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspe.org\/pipeline\/tankless-truth-tankless-water-heaters-work-well-with-cold-inlet-temperatures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">published<\/a> by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, an international association of 6,000 members.<\/p>    <p>The report also found:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Gas heats water faster and more efficiently than electric,<\/strong> making it the better choice in cold climates.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Gas can heat water in a tankless system even with low groundwater temps, <\/strong>as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>Keep in mind that in colder parts of the country, the groundwater will need more energy to warm it, raising the operating cost.<\/p>    <p>In cold climates, you want to be sure to have warm water, so you shouldn\u2019t economize on the size of the tankless water heater. A tankless water heater with a capacity of 2 gallons per minute will cost less, but you will want to be sure to get one with a capacity at least three times that size, if not more.<\/p>    <p>In rural areas, natural gas may not be available. These places often use propane to provide heat, so it is available to use with your tankless water heater.<\/p>   <div style=\"gap: 20px;\" class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\" id=\"ub-button-d736fe9f-17b0-4fc2-a884-a3eb864ca9ec\"><div class=\"ub-button-container\"> \t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/quotes.lawnstarter.com\/near-me?location=&amp;service=plumbing&amp;ref=PricingGuides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"ub-button-block-main\" role=\"button\" style=\"--ub-button-background-color: #ff6900; --ub-button-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-border: none; --ub-button-hover-background-color: #313131; --ub-button-hover-color: #ffffff; --ub-button-hover-border: none; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-left-radius: 60px;; border-top-right-radius: 60px;; border-bottom-left-radius: 60px;; border-bottom-right-radius: 60px;; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\" style=\"flex-direction: row\"> \t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">See Pricing In Your Area<\/span> \t\t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<\/a> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1676196828176\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can a Tankless System Be Installed as a DIY Project?<br\/><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Tankless water heater installation is best left in the hands of a professional, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The agency points out that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrel.gov\/docs\/fy12osti\/54562.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proper installation<\/a> depends on:<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Fuel type. <\/strong>Natural gas, propane, oil, solar, and electric tankless water heaters are the types of tankless water heaters that are available.<br\/>\u00a0<br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Climate. <\/strong>It especially matters when it comes to the temperature of the water that has to be heated.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Building codes<\/strong>. They vary by location.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Safety issues<\/strong>, especially when it comes to gas lines and other gas devices. <a href=\"https:\/\/quotes.lawnstarter.com\/near-me?location=&amp;service=plumbing&amp;ref=PricingGuides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Experienced plumbers<\/a> will know when and how to install wider venting pipes, for example.<br\/><br\/>If you believe you have the DIY skills to take on the challenge:<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Consult the manufacturer.<\/strong> Be sure to get and review the manuals for installation. Review the warranty.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Expect to need a permit. <\/strong>Be sure to obtain one before you start.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Review local water heater installation codes<\/strong> (which should be done upfront and is usually part of the permit process).<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1676196854733\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are You Sure to Save Money?<br\/><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">When you live in a home with a traditional tank water heater system, you know you might run out of hot water (something that has happened to just about everyone, hasn\u2019t it?), so you make efficient use of your time in the shower. But when you can\u2019t run out of hot water, people often linger in the\u00a0 shower. Those longer showers can eat into the savings you expected by going tankless.<br\/><br\/>A family of four is likely to <a href=\"https:\/\/cleancoolwater.com\/how-much-electricity-does-a-tankless-water-heater-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">use 9 kWh<\/a> or <strong>$1.35 <\/strong>of electricity per day. If the amount of time in the shower triples per person, that number could easily double. Over the course of the year, the household would lose the financial benefit of using a tankless water heater.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1676196866094\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do Tankless Water Heaters Require Vents?<\/strong><br\/><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Tankless hot water heaters expel hot gas, so they need special venting to the outside.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1676196874459\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What Is the Payback Time?<\/strong><br\/><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">If you pay the national average cost to switch from a tank system to a tankless one, your costs in making the switch will zero out, but it will take time.<br\/>Using the recent cost of natural gas or electric energy for the home, the payback time breaks down to:<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Gas<\/strong>, 24 to 30 years (at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/dnav\/ng\/hist\/n3010us3A.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">national average price<\/a> of $12.18 per 1,000 cubic feet).<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Electric, <\/strong>14 to 24 years (at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/regions\/midwest\/data\/averageenergyprices_selectedareas_table.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">national average price<\/a> of 0.165 per KWh).<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1676196887957\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How Often Does a Tankless System Need to Be Flushed?<\/strong><br\/><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Manufacturers recommend that you flush a tankless water heater yearly. It certainly makes sense to have an annual maintenance review, and to make the venting a part of that. In places that have especially hard water, you might want to vent twice a year in order to keep the flow rate up.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1676196900123\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What Is the Effect on Winterizing?<\/strong><br\/><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Getting your tankless hot water heater ready for winter takes seconds compared to conventional tanks that take a long time to drain.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Call to Action<\/strong><\/h2>    <p>If you own a home, you should attempt to operate it in ways that are efficient both financially and operationally. Installing a tankless water system is both. Review the choices, and <a href=\"https:\/\/quotes.lawnstarter.com\/near-me?location=&amp;service=plumbing&amp;ref=PricingGuides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">contact a local plumbing company<\/a> for help to decide on the one that is the best fit for you.<\/p>    <p>Additional source: <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.georgia.gov\/consumer-topics\/tankless-water-heaters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Georgia Consumer Protection Division<\/a><\/p>    <p><em>Note: LawnStarter may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.<\/em>    <\/p>    <p>Main Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/johne777\/5449753272\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">J. Peter Eisenschenk<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tankless water heaters, also called demand-type heaters, have been growing in use in the United States since the 1990s. While [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1277],"tags":[1369],"class_list":["post-82605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cost","tag-cost"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Ted Rodgers","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/ted-rodgers\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. One reason is financial: Here is a pricing guide for how much a tankless water heater will cost.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. One reason is financial: Here is a pricing guide for how much a tankless water heater will cost.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lawnstarter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-02-14T20:21:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-27T18:28:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg?wsr\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"450\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ted Rodgers\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ted Rodgers\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ted Rodgers\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ab2d91799dc32285d890b859c7f439a8\"},\"headline\":\"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-14T20:21:22+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-27T18:28:06+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1816,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/02\\\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"cost\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Cost\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/\",\"name\":\"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/02\\\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-14T20:21:22+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-27T18:28:06+00:00\",\"description\":\"Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. One reason is financial: Here is a pricing guide for how much a tankless water heater will cost.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196828176\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196854733\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196866094\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196874459\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196887957\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196900123\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/02\\\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg?wsr\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/02\\\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg?wsr\",\"width\":800,\"height\":450,\"caption\":\"map of average temperature of shallow ground water\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Lawnstarter\",\"description\":\"The LawnStarter Blog\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Lawnstarter\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr\",\"width\":198,\"height\":26,\"caption\":\"Lawnstarter\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ab2d91799dc32285d890b859c7f439a8\",\"name\":\"Ted Rodgers\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/Ted-Rodgers-head-shot-150x150.jpg?wsr\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/Ted-Rodgers-head-shot-150x150.jpg?wsr\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/Ted-Rodgers-head-shot-150x150.jpg?wsr\",\"caption\":\"Ted Rodgers\"},\"description\":\"Ted Rodgers has been an editor and writer throughout a career that began way before he had gray in his hair. His knowledge of lawns and gardens is hard-earned, as he battles funguses that kill his lawn, ants that want to make his kitchen their own, and woodpeckers who seem to enjoy waking him in the morning.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/ted-rodgers\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196828176\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196828176\",\"name\":\"Can a Tankless System Be Installed as a DIY Project?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Tankless water heater installation is best left in the hands of a professional, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The agency points out that <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.nrel.gov\\\/docs\\\/fy12osti\\\/54562.pdf\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">proper installation<\\\/a> depends on:<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Fuel type. <\\\/strong>Natural gas, propane, oil, solar, and electric tankless water heaters are the types of tankless water heaters that are available.<br\\\/>\u00a0<br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Climate. <\\\/strong>It especially matters when it comes to the temperature of the water that has to be heated.<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Building codes<\\\/strong>. They vary by location.<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Safety issues<\\\/strong>, especially when it comes to gas lines and other gas devices. <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/quotes.lawnstarter.com\\\/near-me?location=&amp;service=plumbing&amp;ref=PricingGuides\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Experienced plumbers<\\\/a> will know when and how to install wider venting pipes, for example.<br\\\/><br\\\/>If you believe you have the DIY skills to take on the challenge:<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Consult the manufacturer.<\\\/strong> Be sure to get and review the manuals for installation. Review the warranty.<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Expect to need a permit. <\\\/strong>Be sure to obtain one before you start.<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Review local water heater installation codes<\\\/strong> (which should be done upfront and is usually part of the permit process).\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196854733\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196854733\",\"name\":\"Are You Sure to Save Money?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"When you live in a home with a traditional tank water heater system, you know you might run out of hot water (something that has happened to just about everyone, hasn\u2019t it?), so you make efficient use of your time in the shower. But when you can\u2019t run out of hot water, people often linger in the\u00a0 shower. Those longer showers can eat into the savings you expected by going tankless.<br\\\/><br\\\/>A family of four is likely to <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/cleancoolwater.com\\\/how-much-electricity-does-a-tankless-water-heater-use\\\/\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">use 9 kWh<\\\/a> or <strong>$1.35 <\\\/strong>of electricity per day. If the amount of time in the shower triples per person, that number could easily double. Over the course of the year, the household would lose the financial benefit of using a tankless water heater.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196866094\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196866094\",\"name\":\"Do Tankless Water Heaters Require Vents?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Tankless hot water heaters expel hot gas, so they need special venting to the outside.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196874459\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196874459\",\"name\":\"What Is the Payback Time?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"If you pay the national average cost to switch from a tank system to a tankless one, your costs in making the switch will zero out, but it will take time.<br\\\/>Using the recent cost of natural gas or electric energy for the home, the payback time breaks down to:<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Gas<\\\/strong>, 24 to 30 years (at the <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eia.gov\\\/dnav\\\/ng\\\/hist\\\/n3010us3A.htm\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">national average price<\\\/a> of $12.18 per 1,000 cubic feet).<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u25cf<\\\/strong> <strong>Electric, <\\\/strong>14 to 24 years (at the <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bls.gov\\\/regions\\\/midwest\\\/data\\\/averageenergyprices_selectedareas_table.htm\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">national average price<\\\/a> of 0.165 per KWh).\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196887957\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196887957\",\"name\":\"How Often Does a Tankless System Need to Be Flushed?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Manufacturers recommend that you flush a tankless water heater yearly. It certainly makes sense to have an annual maintenance review, and to make the venting a part of that. In places that have especially hard water, you might want to vent twice a year in order to keep the flow rate up.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196900123\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/tankless-water-heater-price\\\/#faq-question-1676196900123\",\"name\":\"What Is the Effect on Winterizing?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Getting your tankless hot water heater ready for winter takes seconds compared to conventional tanks that take a long time to drain.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?","description":"Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. One reason is financial: Here is a pricing guide for how much a tankless water heater will cost.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"nofollow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?","og_description":"Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. One reason is financial: Here is a pricing guide for how much a tankless water heater will cost.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/","og_site_name":"Lawnstarter","article_published_time":"2023-02-14T20:21:22+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-12-27T18:28:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":450,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg?wsr","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Ted Rodgers","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ted Rodgers","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/"},"author":{"name":"Ted Rodgers","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ab2d91799dc32285d890b859c7f439a8"},"headline":"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?","datePublished":"2023-02-14T20:21:22+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-27T18:28:06+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/"},"wordCount":1816,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg","keywords":["cost"],"articleSection":["Cost"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/","name":"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg","datePublished":"2023-02-14T20:21:22+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-27T18:28:06+00:00","description":"Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. One reason is financial: Here is a pricing guide for how much a tankless water heater will cost.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196828176"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196854733"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196866094"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196874459"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196887957"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196900123"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/US-Groundwater-Temperature-map-v3.jpg?wsr","width":800,"height":450,"caption":"map of average temperature of shallow ground water"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost in 2026?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/","name":"Lawnstarter","description":"The LawnStarter Blog","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Lawnstarter","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/lawnstarter-logo.svg?wsr","width":198,"height":26,"caption":"Lawnstarter"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ab2d91799dc32285d890b859c7f439a8","name":"Ted Rodgers","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ted-Rodgers-head-shot-150x150.jpg?wsr","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ted-Rodgers-head-shot-150x150.jpg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ted-Rodgers-head-shot-150x150.jpg?wsr","caption":"Ted Rodgers"},"description":"Ted Rodgers has been an editor and writer throughout a career that began way before he had gray in his hair. His knowledge of lawns and gardens is hard-earned, as he battles funguses that kill his lawn, ants that want to make his kitchen their own, and woodpeckers who seem to enjoy waking him in the morning.","url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/ted-rodgers\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196828176","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196828176","name":"Can a Tankless System Be Installed as a DIY Project?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Tankless water heater installation is best left in the hands of a professional, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The agency points out that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrel.gov\/docs\/fy12osti\/54562.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proper installation<\/a> depends on:<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Fuel type. <\/strong>Natural gas, propane, oil, solar, and electric tankless water heaters are the types of tankless water heaters that are available.<br\/>\u00a0<br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Climate. <\/strong>It especially matters when it comes to the temperature of the water that has to be heated.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Building codes<\/strong>. They vary by location.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Safety issues<\/strong>, especially when it comes to gas lines and other gas devices. <a href=\"https:\/\/quotes.lawnstarter.com\/near-me?location=&amp;service=plumbing&amp;ref=PricingGuides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Experienced plumbers<\/a> will know when and how to install wider venting pipes, for example.<br\/><br\/>If you believe you have the DIY skills to take on the challenge:<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Consult the manufacturer.<\/strong> Be sure to get and review the manuals for installation. Review the warranty.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Expect to need a permit. <\/strong>Be sure to obtain one before you start.<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Review local water heater installation codes<\/strong> (which should be done upfront and is usually part of the permit process).","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196854733","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196854733","name":"Are You Sure to Save Money?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"When you live in a home with a traditional tank water heater system, you know you might run out of hot water (something that has happened to just about everyone, hasn\u2019t it?), so you make efficient use of your time in the shower. But when you can\u2019t run out of hot water, people often linger in the\u00a0 shower. Those longer showers can eat into the savings you expected by going tankless.<br\/><br\/>A family of four is likely to <a href=\"https:\/\/cleancoolwater.com\/how-much-electricity-does-a-tankless-water-heater-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">use 9 kWh<\/a> or <strong>$1.35 <\/strong>of electricity per day. If the amount of time in the shower triples per person, that number could easily double. Over the course of the year, the household would lose the financial benefit of using a tankless water heater.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196866094","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196866094","name":"Do Tankless Water Heaters Require Vents?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Tankless hot water heaters expel hot gas, so they need special venting to the outside.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196874459","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196874459","name":"What Is the Payback Time?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you pay the national average cost to switch from a tank system to a tankless one, your costs in making the switch will zero out, but it will take time.<br\/>Using the recent cost of natural gas or electric energy for the home, the payback time breaks down to:<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Gas<\/strong>, 24 to 30 years (at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/dnav\/ng\/hist\/n3010us3A.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">national average price<\/a> of $12.18 per 1,000 cubic feet).<br\/><br\/><strong>\u25cf<\/strong> <strong>Electric, <\/strong>14 to 24 years (at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/regions\/midwest\/data\/averageenergyprices_selectedareas_table.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">national average price<\/a> of 0.165 per KWh).","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196887957","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196887957","name":"How Often Does a Tankless System Need to Be Flushed?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Manufacturers recommend that you flush a tankless water heater yearly. It certainly makes sense to have an annual maintenance review, and to make the venting a part of that. In places that have especially hard water, you might want to vent twice a year in order to keep the flow rate up.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196900123","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/cost\/tankless-water-heater-price\/#faq-question-1676196900123","name":"What Is the Effect on Winterizing?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Getting your tankless hot water heater ready for winter takes seconds compared to conventional tanks that take a long time to drain.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/141"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82605\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}