Tankless Water Heaters

How much does a tankless water heater cost?

Fuel type drives the price more than anything else. Installed, electric tankless units run about $1,200 to $2,500 and gas units about $2,000 to $3,800, with high-output gas models reaching roughly $4,500. Most homeowners across northern Palm Beach County land near $2,600 to $2,700 once the unit and professional installation are combined.

The heater itself is only part of that number. What separates a realistic quote from a cheap one is whether it accounts for the work your particular home needs:

• Gas line upgrade — $300 to $900, when the burner needs a larger supply line than your old tank used.
• Electrical panel upgrade — $250 to $800, when an electric unit needs a dedicated circuit your panel can't currently carry.
• Permits — $50 to $100 in Palm Beach and Martin County, and a sign the work is being done to code.
• Water treatment — $500 to $2,500, which matters more here than in most of the country.
• Annual descaling — $100 to $350 a year to protect efficiency and the manufacturer's warranty.

We walk the home before quoting so you know which of these apply. Our full tankless water heater cost guide breaks each one down, including the 2026 change to the federal tax credit. For how the units work, how to size one, and whether tankless is the right call in Florida, start with our tankless water heaters explained guide.

Why Florida's hard water changes the math

A tankless unit heats water by passing it across a heat exchanger, so northern Palm Beach County's hard water deposits mineral scale faster than it would in a conventional tank. Left alone, that scale cuts efficiency, shortens the unit's life, and can void the warranty outright. Annual descaling isn't optional here — our tankless water heater maintenance guide covers how often to flush and how to do it. Many of our installations include a softener or scale-prevention system. We factor both into the quote up front rather than surprising you a year later.

Is the payback worth it for your home?

A tankless unit typically lasts 20 years or more — roughly double a conventional tank — and cuts water heating costs by up to 30%. Because the up-front cost is higher, the break-even point usually arrives around year 8 to 10. If you're staying in the home, the math works comfortably. If you expect to sell within a few years, a high-efficiency tank is often the more practical spend, and we'll tell you so. Compare both in our water heater installation cost guide or on our water heater replacement page.

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