Narwhal Plumbing the Best Sump Pump Repair Services in Chicago!
␡
Call now: 224-769-3882• Licensed • Bonded • Insured
If endless hot showers, lower utility bills, and extra storage space sound good, a tankless water heater might be your next best home upgrade. At Narwhal Plumbing, we install and service high-efficiency tankless systems across Arlington Heights, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Wheeling, Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, and the greater Chicago area—helping homeowners pick the right size, fuel type, and brand for long-term reliability.
Below you’ll find a straightforward guide: how tankless works, real-world pros/cons, what size you need, our favorite models, and honest answers to FAQs—all written for Chicago homes (older venting, long runs, cold incoming water, and multi-bath demand).
On-demand hot water, no storage tank. A tankless unit heats water as you use it, not all day in a big tank. That means:
Continuous hot water for showers, laundry, and dishes—no “somebody used it all” moments. ENERGY STAR notes tankless systems provide continuous hot water while cutting water-heating expenses versus standard tanks. ENERGY STAR
Energy savings because you’re not reheating 40–75 gallons 24/7.
A smaller footprint on the wall (great for city bungalows, condos, and tight mechanical rooms).
Longer lifespan than many storage tanks when properly maintained.
Pro tip: Recirculation (built-in on select models) keeps hot water near fixtures so you’re not waiting at far bathrooms—handy in long, ranch-style layouts or larger homes. Rheem’s IKONIC SR series, for example, includes a built-in recirculation pump and Wi-Fi controls. files.rheem.com+1
We install and service the major players that consistently perform in Chicagoland homes. Independent roundups and trade pros regularly highlight Rinnai, Navien, Noritz, Rheem, and Takagi among leading tankless brands. Monkey Wrench Services+1
Popular, homeowner-loved models:
Rinnai RX/RU Series (e.g., RX199iN / RU199iN) – High output for multi-bath homes, indoor wall-hung, Wi-Fi capable; a proven Chicago-area workhorse. Rinnai’s RU199iN lists up to 11 GPM and is ENERGY STAR®certified; note that specific sub-models evolve over time. Rinnai
Navien NPE-240A2 (condensing) – Installer-favorite with built-in buffer tank and recirculation, 0.95 UEF, and up to 11.2 GPM at a 35°F rise—excellent for big families and long piping runs. Navien+2Distributor Data Solutions+2
Noritz EZ111DV (condensing) – Designed for retrofit installs (great when replacing a tank), 0.98 UEF, and up to 11.1 GPM; flexible indoor/outdoor options. Noritz+1
Rheem IKONIC SR Series (e.g., RTGH-SR11i) – Built-in recirc + EcoNet® Wi-Fi straight from the factory; helpful app features for temperature control and maintenance alerts. files.rheem.com+1
Bonus: You can cross-check ENERGY STAR listings to see efficiency credentials (UEF ratings) and tax-credit eligibility for many gas tankless models (including Noritz and Navien). ENERGY STAR
Sizing is all about flow rate (how many gallons per minute you need at once) and temperature rise (how much we must heat our chilly incoming water). In winter, Chicago’s incoming water can be very cold, so we choose models with enough BTUs and GPM to handle two showers + dishwasher (or similar) simultaneously.
Typical examples:
Small homes/condos (1–2 baths): 6–8 GPM class unit.
Family homes (2–3 baths running together): 9–11 GPM class unit (often 180–199k BTU).
Large/multi-suite homes: 199k BTU with recirculation, or two units in cascade.
We’ll calculate your exact peak-use scenario (showers, laundry, kitchen) and winter temperature rise to right-size the system. If your home has long hot-water runs, we may recommend built-in recirculation (Navien A2, Rheem SR, select Rinnai with recirc kits) to reduce wait times. Distributor Data Solutions+1
Natural Gas (most common locally): Highest output for multi-bath homes, easiest tax-credit/ENERGY STAR options, and familiar venting paths in Chicago basements and utility rooms. ENERGY STAR specifically highlights whole-home gas tankless for efficiency and continuous hot water. ENERGY STAR
Electric (point-of-use or small homes): Can be great for single fixtures, additions, or where gas/venting is difficult. For full-house electric in our climate, we’ll confirm panel capacity and realistic flow at winter inlet temps.
Upsides of tankless
Endless hot water (properly sized)
Lower energy use vs. “always-on” storage tanks
Space-saving wall mount
Long lifespan, with replaceable components
Considerations
Upfront cost is higher than a like-for-like tank replacement
Proper venting and gas line sizing are essential (we’ll assess during the quote)
Annual maintenance (flushing, descaling, filter/air screen checks) maintains performance and warranty
Home evaluation – We check gas line size, venting path, condensate drain, water quality, and fixture counts.
Right-sizing – We model your peak hot-water use and Chicago winter temperature rise to select the correct BTU/GPM.
Transparent quote – You’ll see equipment, labor, options (recirc loop, water softening if needed), and warranty.
Professional install – Clean, code-compliant venting, gas, and condensate; we register your warranty.
Walk-through & app setup – If your unit has Wi-Fi, we connect it and show you how to schedule recirculation and set alerts.
Maintenance plan – Annual flush and inspection to protect your investment.
Older venting? Modern condensing units can often use longer vent runs or flexible venting strategies; certain lines (e.g., Rheem IKONIC) allow room-air intake and longer runs to simplify retrofit options. Rheem
Hard water? Consider a scale reducer or softening plan to keep the heat exchanger efficient.
Far bathrooms? Choose a model with built-in recirculation (or add a crossover valve) to shorten wait times and save water. Distributor Data Solutions
Q1: Will a tankless unit really save me money?
It can—especially if your family’s schedule is spread out (no reheating a big tank all day). ENERGY STAR underscores reduced water-heating expenses and continuous hot water versus standard tanks. ENERGY STAR
Q2: Can one tankless run two showers and a dishwasher?
Yes—if it’s sized correctly. We match BTUs and GPM to your fixtures and winter inlet temps. Premium models like Navien NPE-240A2, Rinnai RU/RX, Noritz EZ111, and Rheem IKONIC SR can support multi-fixture use in typical Chicago homes when properly set up. files.rheem.com+3Navien+3Rinnai+3
Q3: What routine maintenance is needed?
A yearly flush/descale (and filter cleaning) keeps efficiency high and helps maintain warranty coverage. We offer convenient maintenance plans.
Q4: Gas or electric tankless for our climate?
For whole-home use in Chicagoland, gas generally delivers the flow you need. Electric can be great for point-of-use or smaller spaces when panel capacity and expectations align. ENERGY STAR guidance highlights whole-home gas tankless for efficiency. ENERGY STAR
Q5: Are there rebates or tax credits?
Many ENERGY STAR certified gas tankless models qualify—availability changes, so we’ll check current programs during your estimate. ENERGY STAR
Narwhal Plumbing — Tankless Water Heater Specialists
Service areas: Arlington Heights, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Wheeling, Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Northbrook, Glenview, and nearby.
Call now: 224-769-3882• Licensed • Bonded • Insured
Comments will be approved before showing up.
