A tankless water heater is worth it for many Florence, SC homes, but not for every one. It heats water only while a hot tap is open, so no tank stays hot all day. At Quality Service Company, LLC, we look at your fuel, your hot water use and your house before recommending one.
How does a tankless water heater work?
Turn on a hot tap, and cold water starts flowing into the unit. A sensor feels the flow. It then lights a gas burner or turns on electric elements.
The water runs through a heat exchanger and comes out hot. Close the tap, and the heater shuts off.
A tank heater keeps a full tank hot around the clock, even while you sleep. Some of that heat slips out through the tank walls. A tankless unit skips that standby loss.
What are the benefits of going tankless?
- Hot water that doesn’t run out, as long as the unit is sized right.
- No heat lost from a tank kept hot all day.
- A compact unit on the wall instead of a tank on the floor.
- No big tank that can rust through and leak into a closet.
Those benefits are real. They depend on the right size and a careful install.
What are the downsides?
- Flow has a limit. Run too many hot taps at once, and a small unit falls behind.
- Winter cuts output. Colder water coming in means less hot water out at full temperature.
- The install is bigger. Gas units often need a larger gas line and a new vent.
- Gas units still need power. No electricity means no hot water.
- Scale builds up. The unit needs regular flushing to keep heating well.
- A short wait. A quick burst of cooler water can follow back-to-back uses.
Do I need natural gas for a tankless water heater?
No, but gas and propane units are the usual choice for a whole house.
Dominion Energy South Carolina provides natural gas in Florence County and in Hartsville. Not every street has a line, though. A gas meter outside or a Dominion bill is a good sign you have it.
Outside town, propane is widely available across the rural Pee Dee from regional suppliers. A propane tankless heater works the same way as a natural gas one. Your supplier sets and fills the propane tank. That tank is a separate cost from the heater.
All-electric home? Electric tankless units exist, but whole-house models draw a lot of power. A heat pump water heater is worth comparing. DOE says it is 2 to 3 times as efficient as a standard electric tank. It needs a roomy space, a drain and, usually, a 240-volt circuit.
Will my older home need upgrades?
It may. In the City of Florence, the median home was built in 1983. Census data shows 46.7 percent were built before 1980.
Going tankless can mean:
- A larger gas line, since a tankless burner uses more gas at once.
- A new vent through a wall or the roof.
- New heavy-duty circuits, or panel work, for an electric unit.
- A new spot on the wall, with room to service the unit.
Permits are part of the job. The City of Florence trade permit form lists water heaters under plumbing permits. Gas work has its own permit. Florence County requires a permit to alter or repair a building. Your quote should say who handles it.
How do I know what size I need?
Tankless heaters are rated by how many gallons per minute they can heat. That rating changes with how cold the incoming water is.
- Picture your busiest hour, like two showers and the dishwasher.
- List every hot water fixture running at that same time.
- Allow for colder incoming water in winter, when the heater works hardest.
- Choose a unit that covers all of it, with a little room to spare.
Too small, and the shower cools when someone starts the washer. Your plumber should size it with you, not guess from the old tank.
Does Florence water affect a tankless heater?
It can. Minerals in water leave scale inside the heat exchanger. Over time, scale slows heating and wears the unit down.
City of Florence water comes from wells and the Pee Dee River. The city’s 2024 water quality report puts it at about 60 percent groundwater and 40 percent river water. That report gives no hardness figure. Your own home’s water is worth checking.
On a private well, or seeing crusty buildup on faucets? Look into water treatment for Florence homes before you install. Either way, flush the unit on the schedule its maker sets.
Can a tankless water heater freeze here?
Yes, if it sits on an outside wall or in a cold garage. Florence averages about 40 nights a year at or below freezing. In December 2022, lows reached 14 and 15 degrees.
Many units have built-in freeze protection, but it needs power to work. If the power fails on a cold night, drain the unit or follow the maker’s steps.
When is a tank the better choice?
- Your current tank works fine, and you don’t want a bigger project.
- Your home would need major gas or electrical work.
- You want some hot water on hand during a power outage.
There’s no single right answer. The right heater fits your fuel, your home and how your household uses hot water.
How do I find out if tankless fits my home?
Start with a visit. Your plumber will check your fuel, gas line, venting, panel and water. Then you’ll hear your options and why each one fits or doesn’t. You’ll know the price before any work starts.
Read more about tankless water heater installation. Or compare tank and tankless on our water heater installation and replacement page.
Common questions
Does a tankless water heater run out of hot water?
A tankless water heater gives hot water without running out, as long as you stay within its flow rating. It heats water as it passes through, so there’s no tank to empty. If too many taps run at once, the water cools or the flow drops. Sizing for your busiest hour keeps it steady.
Does a gas tankless water heater work when the power goes out?
Most gas tankless water heaters need electricity, so they stop working when the power goes out. In January 2004, an ice storm knocked out power across Florence County. If long outages worry you, plan for backup power that covers the heater. Or weigh that before choosing tankless.
How often does a tankless water heater need maintenance?
A tankless water heater needs regular flushing to clear mineral scale, on the schedule its maker sets. The inlet screen also needs cleaning so water flows freely. Harder water means more frequent service. Skipping it lets scale build up inside the unit. That slows heating and can cut the heater’s life short.
Call (843) 920-2004 or book online.