Top Tankless Water Heater Service Companies in Minneapolis, Minnesota Ranked

Considering a tankless water heater for your Minneapolis home? You're looking at a smart upgrade that provides endless hot water on demand while saving valuable space. Unlike traditional tank heaters that constantly heat and reheat water, these on-demand systems heat water only when you need it, leading to significant energy savings over time. For Twin Cities residents, this technology is particularly appealing, but it requires careful planning and professional expertise due to our unique climate and water conditions. This guide will help you understand the key considerations for tankless systems, from choosing the right fuel type to navigating installation complexities, so you can connect with qualified local specialists for your project.

Water Heaters Now!

126 2nd St S, Stillwater, MN 55082

Water Heaters Now! is a specialized plumbing service in St Paul, MN, focusing exclusively on water heater repair, installation, and maintenance. They install professional-grade water heaters, including tankless models, and are recognized as one of the largest installers in the Midwest. The company offers same-day installation for tank-style water heaters when called before 2 p.m. and employs experienced technicians with over 40 years of combined expertise. Water Heaters Now! also handles permits and warranty processing to support customers throughout the ownership of their water heaters.

5.0

441 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

1821 University Ave W #317, St Paul, MN 55104

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides a wide range of plumbing services in St. Paul, MN, including residential and commercial plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, water heater installation and repair, water softener and filtration system installation, and leak detection. They offer specialized capabilities such as video camera sewer inspections and trenchless sewer repair methods to minimize disruption during repairs. Serving the St. Paul metro area, their team is available 24/7, 365 days a year to address plumbing emergencies and routine maintenance needs.

4.9

3.0k Reviews

Water Heaters Now!

1845 NE Stinson Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Water Heaters Now! is a plumbing company based in St Paul, MN, specializing exclusively in water heater repair, installation, and tankless water heater services. They focus on installing professional-grade water heaters known for their durability and efficiency. With over 40 years of technician experience and more than 1,000 installations annually, they offer same-day installation for tank-style water heaters when contacted before 2 p.m. Their team handles permits and warranty processing to provide a complete service experience.

4.9

481 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

1629 Hennepin Ave #300G, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup is a licensed and insured plumbing company serving Minneapolis, MN. They offer a wide range of services including drain cleaning, sewer line repair, water heater installation and repair, water softener installation, sump pump repair, and leak detection. Their capabilities include advanced sewer line inspections using video camera technology and trenchless sewer repair methods that minimize disruption. Established with a long-standing reputation in the plumbing industry, Roto-Rooter provides 24/7 emergency plumbing services to address urgent issues at any time.

4.8

5.6k Reviews

Apollo Heating, Air & Plumbing

1167 Viking Dr E, Maplewood, MN 55109

Apollo Heating, Air & Plumbing is a family-owned business serving St Paul, MN, and over 350 communities across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. They provide a range of plumbing services including water heater repair and installation, tankless water heater services, water softener installation, and toilet repair. The company is recognized for its comprehensive heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and indoor air quality solutions. Apollo Heating, Air & Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service and has been acknowledged as Minnesota's Best in 2024.

4.8

3.8k Reviews

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Why Choose a Tankless System in Minneapolis?

The benefits of installing an on-demand water heater extend beyond just endless hot showers. For Minneapolis homeowners, the primary advantages include energy efficiency, as these units eliminate the standby heat loss associated with storage tanks, which can account for a significant portion of your water heating bill ¹. Space savings is another major perk; tankless units are compact and can be mounted on a wall, freeing up floor space in your basement or utility closet. Perhaps most importantly for our climate, a properly sized system provides a continuous supply of hot water, ensuring that even during the coldest Minnesota winters, your family won't run out.

However, the local environment presents specific challenges. Minneapolis has notably hard water, which leads to mineral scale buildup that can reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of any water heater, especially tankless models with narrow heat exchanger pathways ^{2 3}. Furthermore, our cold groundwater temperatures-often dipping into the 40s-mean a tankless unit must work much harder to raise the water temperature to a usable level, making correct sizing absolutely critical ^{2 4}.

Critical First Step: Proper Sizing and Assessment

Sizing a tankless, or on-demand, water heater is not a DIY guess. It's a precise calculation that professionals perform to ensure your system meets your household's peak demand. An undersized unit will leave you with lukewarm water when multiple fixtures are in use.

A professional assessment will consider:

• Flow Rate (Gallons Per Minute - GPM): The total hot water demand if you run two showers and the dishwasher simultaneously.
• Temperature Rise (ΔT): The difference between incoming groundwater temperature and your desired output temperature. In Minneapolis, a high temperature rise is required, necessitating a more powerful unit ^{2 4}.
• Fuel Type and Capacity: Whether you choose gas or electric determines the unit's heating capacity and the necessary home infrastructure.

Getting this step wrong is a costly mistake. Local experts use sophisticated calculations to recommend a system that will perform reliably year-round.

Gas vs. Electric: Choosing Your Fuel Source

The choice between a gas or electric on-demand water heater is one of the most significant decisions you'll make, impacting installation cost, performance, and operating expenses.

Gas Tankless Water Heaters (Natural Gas or Propane)

• Pros: Generally provide higher flow rates, making them better suited for whole-home use, especially in larger households. They are often more cost-effective to operate in areas with low natural gas prices.
• Cons: Installation is typically more complex and expensive. They require dedicated venting, often using specialized PVC or stainless steel pipes, and may need an upgraded gas line due to their high BTU (British Thermal Unit) demand ^{2 4 5}. Older Minneapolis homes frequently need gas line upgrades to support the unit.

Electric Tankless Water Heaters

• Pros: Usually have a lower upfront equipment cost and simpler installation, as they don't require venting or gas lines. They are highly efficient and can be easier to place.
• Cons: Their performance is limited by your home's electrical capacity. They often require a substantial electrical service upgrade, including a new dedicated circuit and potentially a panel upgrade, to handle the high amperage draw ^{2 5}. They may struggle to supply enough hot water for simultaneous use in larger homes.

Understanding Installation Costs and Complexities

The cost to install a tankless water heater in Minneapolis varies widely based on the scope of work. It's rarely a simple "swap." Here's a breakdown of what influences the final price:

• Basic Replacement (Minimal Upgrades): If you're replacing an existing tankless unit with a similar model and your gas, electrical, and venting systems are already adequate, costs might range from $1,200 to $2,700+ for the unit and labor ^{4 6}.
• Standard New Installation (Common): Most installations involve necessary upgrades. This includes running new venting for gas models, upgrading a gas line, or installing new electrical circuits. For these projects, homeowners often invest between $5,000 and $6,500+ ^{4 6}.
• Complex Retrofit or Whole-Home System: For large homes, systems requiring extensive gas line rerouting, major electrical panel upgrades, or complex venting runs through finished spaces, costs can reach $10,000 or more ^{6 7 8}.

Key cost drivers include:

• Venting: Installing new, dedicated venting for a gas unit is a major labor and material component.
• Gas Line Upgrade: Older 1/2-inch lines often must be replaced with 3/4-inch or 1-inch lines to deliver sufficient gas volume ^{2 4}.
• Electrical Service Upgrade: Adding one or more 240-volt dedicated circuits may require a panel upgrade, a significant expense.
• Water Conditions: Installing a water softener or scale inhibition system to protect your investment from hard water may be recommended.

Many local plumbing companies, such as MSP Plumbing, Bonfe, and Genz-Ryan, offer free estimates to provide a clear picture of your specific project cost ^{2 4 9}.

The Non-Negotiable: Annual Maintenance and Repair

To protect your investment and ensure a long lifespan, annual professional maintenance is not just recommended-it's essential in Minneapolis. The hard water in our area causes limescale to accumulate inside the heat exchanger, reducing efficiency, increasing energy bills, and eventually causing failure ^{2 3}.

A professional maintenance visit typically includes:

• System Flushing: Circulating a descaling solution through the unit to dissolve and remove mineral buildup.
• Comprehensive Inspection: Checking all water and gas connections, verifying electrical components, ensuring venting is clear and secure, and testing safety devices.
• Performance Check: Verifying the unit is heating to the set temperature and operating at peak efficiency.

When repairs are needed, most companies charge a diagnostic fee (often around $99) to pinpoint the issue before providing a repair quote ^{9 7}. Common repairs include replacing flow sensors, cleaning clogged inlet screens, or addressing ignition or combustion issues in gas models. With proper annual care, a tankless water heater can provide reliable service for many years.

Navigating Local Rebates and Incentives

While the upfront cost is higher than a traditional tank heater, long-term savings on energy bills are a major benefit. Additionally, you may be able to offset the initial investment through rebates. It's worth checking with:

• CenterPoint Energy: They often offer rebates for installing high-efficiency natural gas appliances.
• Xcel Energy: Rebates may be available for certain high-efficiency electric models.
• Federal Tax Credits: Periodically, federal energy efficiency tax credits are available for qualifying tankless water heaters.

A qualified local installer will usually be informed about current incentive programs and can help you navigate the application process.

Finding a Qualified Minneapolis Professional

Given the technical complexities of gas fitting, electrical work, and local code compliance, choosing a licensed and experienced professional is paramount. Look for a plumbing contractor with specific, proven experience in tankless installations. They should conduct a thorough home assessment, provide a detailed written estimate that includes all potential upgrades, and clearly explain the maintenance requirements. Reputable local providers like Air Mechanical, Northern Ben Franklin, and Dean's Home Services specialize in these systems and understand the specific demands of Minneapolis homes ^{2 3 10}.

Frequently asked questions

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