In a house that stands empty for long stretches, what you replace a heater with should reflect how the property is actually used.
Tankless suits a second home
A tank keeps water hot around the clock whether anyone is there or not. A tankless unit heats only when someone turns a tap, which makes obvious sense in a house occupied a few weeks a year. It also removes the tank of standing water that would otherwise sit corroding while you are away.
Size for a full house
These homes are large and often full when they are used at all. Sizing for peak occupancy rather than average is what prevents the complaint about cold showers when everyone is here at once.
Protect what is below it
Any heater above living space needs a properly plumbed pan and drain. In a home that is empty much of the year, that is not a formality — it is the difference between a contained failure and discovering it weeks later.
What is included
- Taking the old unit away
- Corrosion-resistant fittings suited to coastal conditions
- An expansion tank where the code requires one
- A pan and drain for anything above living space
- The permit and inspection
- A clear price agreed before we begin