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Mark Johnson & Sons Plumbing technician installing a Rinnai tankless water heater in a North Louisiana utility room

Tankless

TANKLESS WATER HEATER INSTALL & REPAIR — ENDLESS HOT WATER

Hot water that doesn't run out. 25-30% less gas use. 20-year lifespan instead of 10. Rinnai, Navien, Noritz — installed, permitted, warrantied by our in-house crew.

(318) 319-0220

4.9 · 4,400+ reviews

Verified Google reviews

24/7 emergency responseLicensed & insuredServing North Louisiana since 1997
  • 4.9★ on Google

    4,400+ reviews

  • 24/7 Emergency

    60–90 min dispatch

  • Licensed & insured

    LA Master Plumber #1874

  • North Louisiana

    Ruston to Shreveport

  • Flat-rate pricing

    Quoted before we start

Reviewed by Mark Johnson & Sons' LA-licensed master plumber (#1874) Last updated June 2026

Overview

When tankless makes sense — and when it doesn't

A tankless water heater heats water on demand instead of keeping 50 gallons hot 24 hours a day. When you turn on a hot faucet, water flows through a heat exchanger, gets heated instantly, and comes out hot for as long as you want. No tank to run out, no standby energy loss, no 12-year replacement clock. Done right, tankless is the single best upgrade for a family that actually uses hot water.

But tankless isn't automatically better for every household. A two-person apartment with one bathroom doesn't see the payback. Tankless shines for larger families (3+ people), households with high simultaneous hot water demand, homes where you're already mid-remodel and touching the gas and venting, or anyone planning to stay in the house 10+ years for the gas savings to pay back the upfront cost.

What we install

  1. Rinnai — our default recommendation for most North Louisiana homes. Reliable, well-supported parts network, 12-year residential warranty
  2. Navien — condensing units, higher efficiency (94-98%), best for larger homes and low-gas-bill priority
  3. Noritz — commercial and larger residential, long track record on apartment buildings and light commercial
  4. Indoor and outdoor models — we specify based on venting access, climate, and space
  5. Gas and propane — most installs are natural gas; propane for homes beyond gas service

What changes during install

A tankless replacement is more than a swap. Expect the following as part of a proper install. Gas line upgrade — tankless needs a 3/4" gas line minimum, sometimes 1", and often the existing 1/2" line from a tank install won't do it. Gas meter capacity check — older homes may need a meter upgrade from the utility. Venting — condensing tankless units run PVC or polypropylene vent pipe direct through the wall; non-condensing units need category III stainless. Condensate drain — condensing units produce acidic condensate that needs a neutralizer and a drain path. Electrical — tankless units need a 120V outlet. Water softener recommended — hard water destroys tankless heat exchangers 2-3x faster than soft water; we pair tankless with softeners on most installs.

Honest tankless math for North Louisiana

A 50-gallon tank install runs $1,850-$2,850. A tankless install runs $3,500-$6,800. The upfront delta is $1,500-$4,000. Tankless saves 25-30% on gas usage, which on a typical North Louisiana family hot water bill ($35-$55/mo on gas) is $9-$16/mo or $108-$192/yr. Payback on upfront delta is 10-20 years — the same time as the tankless lifespan. You're not buying tankless to save money. You're buying it for endless hot water, smaller footprint, and longer lifespan. If that's worth the premium to you, it's the right call.

Classic Membership members get annual descaling included, which is the single biggest thing you can do to hit the 20-year lifespan on a tankless in North Louisiana hard water territory.

Licensed Louisiana contractorOwn trucks, own crewsFlat-rate, quoted upfront

Free quote

Schedule a tankless assessment

In-home assessment checks gas line, venting, and electrical. Quote includes everything needed for a code-compliant install.

Or call now — (318) 319-0220

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Current coupons

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  • $200 OFF

    Tankless water heater install

    New equipment only. One per household.

    Expires 12/31/2026

  • $400 OFF

    Tankless + water softener install together

    Standard pricing. Must mention at booking.

    Expires 12/31/2026

  • UP TO $300

    Mail-in rebate on qualifying tankless models

    Call for qualifying models and details.

    Expires 12/31/2026

Mention coupon when booking. One offer per household.

Warning signs

Signs Tankless Is The Right Upgrade For You

Tankless isn't for everyone. It shines in specific situations — here's when it makes sense.

  • Large family (4+ people) regularly running out of hot water mid-shower

  • Current tank is 10+ years old and approaching end-of-life

  • You want to reclaim the floor space a tank currently takes up

  • You're already doing a remodel that touches the gas line and utility room

  • Planning to stay in the home 10+ years and want long-term lower gas bills

  • High-demand simultaneous use (shower + dishwasher + laundry) overwhelms current tank

  • You have a vacation home that sits unused and you don't want a tank heating nothing

  • Currently have a 75-gallon tank and want to downsize footprint without losing capacity

  • Prior water heater experience includes tank rupture and flooding

  • You value endless hot water for luxury tubs or big soaking baths

Family member enjoying a hot shower in a North Louisiana home

Endless hot water

Nobody takes the last shower.

Tankless heats water on demand. Shower, dishwasher, and washer running simultaneously — still hot. 20-year lifespan, 25-30% less gas, wall-mount saves floor space.

(318) 319-0220

Typical lifespan

20yr

Across Ruston, Monroe, Shreveport, Bossier City, and North Louisiana.

The Process

How a Tankless Install Runs

Tankless water heater being mounted to an interior wall in a North Louisiana utility room

On the truck

Professional tools, parts, and diagnostics — every call.

  1. In-home assessment

    Tech reviews existing gas line size, gas meter capacity, venting routes, electrical availability, water supply line, and softener status. You get a scoped quote with any required upgrades built in — no surprise add-ons during install.

  2. Unit selection and scheduling

    We recommend a specific Rinnai, Navien, or Noritz model based on household size, simultaneous use, and vent type. Most installs schedule 3-7 days out; sooner if inventory's on hand and your old unit is leaking.

  3. Install day

    Old tank removed and hauled off. New tankless mounted to wall. Gas line upgraded if needed. Venting installed through exterior wall. Condensate drain routed to drain. Water connections made with service valves for future descaling. Full day for most jobs, two for major gas line upgrades.

  4. Commissioning and testing

    Pressure test the gas line, check for combustion air, run hot water through every fixture, verify temperature stability, register warranty with manufacturer. You get a walkthrough on how to use the unit and what the error codes mean.

  5. Permit and inspection

    We pull the city permit before install and schedule the inspection afterward. Pass the inspection, register the manufacturer warranty (12 years on parts for most Rinnai residential), and include our 10-year workmanship warranty on the paperwork.

Pricing

Tankless Water Heater Cost in North Louisiana

Flat-rate, quoted after the assessment. Pricing depends on unit size, venting complexity, and required upgrades.

Members save 15%Classic Membership · $189/yr

Standard Rinnai tankless install (condensing)

Most common North Louisiana residential install

Standard

$4,500$6,800

Member · save 15%

$3,825$5,780

Navien condensing tankless install

Higher-efficiency option, larger family homes

Standard

$4,800$7,200

Member · save 15%

$4,080$6,120

Noritz tankless install

Reliable workhorse for standard residential

Standard

$4,200$6,500

Member · save 15%

$3,570$5,525

Non-condensing tankless install

Lower upfront, slightly lower efficiency

Standard

$3,500$5,200

Member · save 15%

$2,975$4,420

Gas line upgrade (3/4" to 1")

Often required on tank-to-tankless conversion

Standard

$485$1,250

Member · save 15%

$412$1,063

Gas meter upgrade coordination

Utility handles actual meter — we coordinate

Standard

IncludedIncluded

Member · save 15%

IncludedIncluded

Tankless descaling service (annual)

Included for Classic Membership members

Standard

$195$325

Member · save 15%

$166$276

Tankless repair service call

Waived if you approve the repair

Standard

$129$189

Member · save 15%

$110$161

Heat exchanger replacement (out of warranty)

Rare; prevented by annual descaling

Standard

$650$1,450

Member · save 15%

$553$1,233

Emergency after-hours surcharge

Nights, weekends, holidays

Standard

$95$150

Member · save 15%

$81$128

Member pricing reflects the Classic Membership 15% repair discount. Service call fees are separate.

Prices reflect 2026 North Louisiana residential work. Commercial multi-unit setups quoted separately.

Classic Membership

One plan. Whole-home peace of mind.

For $189 a year, members get 15% off every HVAC and plumbing repair, two complete HVAC tune-ups, a free plumbing and drain check-up, and priority scheduling on every call.

  • 15% off repairs
  • Priority scheduling
  • 2 HVAC tune-ups/yr
  • After-hours discounts
  • $25 savings certificate
  • Guaranteed flat-rate
Best value

Classic Membership

$189/year

One flat yearly price covers your whole home — everything listed, no per-visit fees, no surprises.

Questions? (318) 319-0220

Cancel anytime · 1-yr min

Compare

Tank vs. Tankless vs. Heat Pump Water Heater

Three ways to make hot water. The right one depends on family size, fuel type, upfront budget, and how long you're staying.

FeatureTank (gas)Tankless (gas)Heat Pump
Upfront install$1,850 – $2,850$3,500 – $6,800$3,200 – $4,800
Lifespan in North Louisiana8 to 12 years15 to 20 years10 to 15 years
Hot water supply50-75 gal then recoveryEndless, flow-limited50-80 gal then recovery
Gas/electric useBaseline25-30% less gas50% less total energy
Space used2x2 ft floor footprintWall-mount, saves floor2x2 ft plus clearance
Best forBudget, 2-person householdsFamilies 3+, long-term ownersAll-electric homes, mild climate
DownsidesRuns out, 12-yr replaceHigher upfront, needs descalingNeeds warm space, fan noise

FAQ

Tankless FAQs

A standard condensing tankless install runs $4,500 to $6,800 all-in — unit, mount, gas line upgrade if needed, venting, condensate drain, permit, and 10-year workmanship warranty. Non-condensing units are cheaper ($3,500-$5,200) but less efficient. Add $485-$1,250 if the existing gas line is too small and needs to be upgraded from 1/2" to 3/4" or 1".

Available Around the Clock

Emergency?
We answer 24/7.

Burst pipe, water heater out, sewer backup? Real plumbers pick up — no answering machines. Mark Johnson & Sons Plumbing serves North Louisiana any time, day or night.

(318) 319-0220

LA Master Plumbing #1874 · Backflow Cert #28131 · Master Natural Gas Fitter #LMNGF9062 · State Contractors #35794

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