Tankless Water Heater in Riverdale, GA

Signs worth acting on

• A tank that has passed its expected life or shows rust at the base
• Hot water that gives out before everyone has showered
• Rust-tinted or smelly hot water
• A tankless unit showing codes, short cycling or failing to ignite
• A wait of a minute or more for hot water at a far bathroom

Local conditions in Riverdale

Riverdale was founded as a railroad stop in 1886 and sits just south of Hartsfield-Jackson in western Clayton County. Its median home was built in 1990, and about 33% predate 1980. In the newer subdivisions, heaters usually sit in a garage or utility room where an exterior wall is close, which suits a wall-hung tankless unit. Older homes may keep the heater in an interior closet with a metal flue; a sealed tankless vent cannot share that flue, so a new route through a sidewall or the roof is planned.

Clayton County Water Authority supplies water and sewer across the county and its cities. Its water comes from the Little Cotton Indian Creek, Shoal Creek and Pates Creek watersheds, with the Flint River as a supplement. The fact sheet has no hardness figure, so a water test before the install helps set a flush schedule. CCWA tests residential backflow devices with its own staff and offers a service line inventory lookup.

Gas pipes belong to Atlanta Gas Light; your bill may come from a marketer, but leaks and meter work go to AGL.

What affects the cost

• Gas line size from the meter, since a tankless burner draws much more at full fire
• A meter upgrade through AGL, if the load requires it
• Vent length and where it exits
• Condensate drain for a condensing model
• Unit size and any recirculation
• City permit and inspection

When you call

You will reach an independent plumber who works in Clayton County. Have the heater's age, your fuel type and the number of bathrooms ready. The City of Riverdale's Building and Permitting Services handles the Trade Permit Application at 770-909-5486. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from outside.