A tankless water heater produces hot water on demand instead of keeping fifty gallons hot around the clock. Installed correctly and sized honestly, it delivers endless hot water, frees up floor space, and cuts standby energy losses. Installed carelessly, it produces lukewarm showers and nuisance shutdowns. ProStream Plumbing installs and services tankless systems throughout Baltimore and the surrounding counties.
Sizing for Maryland's Cold Groundwater
Tankless capacity is rated in gallons per minute at a specific temperature rise. In mid-winter, incoming groundwater in the Baltimore region can arrive in the low forties, meaning the unit must raise water roughly seventy degrees to reach a comfortable shower temperature. A unit that looks perfectly adequate on a summer spec sheet can fall short in January.
We size based on your real simultaneous demand — how many showers, tubs, and appliances might run together — and the coldest-case temperature rise, so the system performs in the season that actually stresses it.
What a Proper Tankless Installation Includes
- Gas supply verification and, where required, upsizing the line so the burner receives full input.
- Manufacturer-approved venting, correctly sloped and terminated.
- Condensate drainage and neutralization on condensing units.
- Isolation valves at the unit so annual descaling is a simple service, not a teardown.
- Correct water connections, pressure relief and, where appropriate, a scale-reduction strategy.
- Permitting and inspection as required by your jurisdiction.
Tankless vs. Tank — an Honest Comparison
Tankless wins on continuous hot water, footprint, and lifespan. Tank wins on lower upfront cost and simpler installation, especially in homes where the gas line and venting would both need to be reworked. Households in Columbia, Severna Park and Towson frequently choose tankless during a renovation when the mechanical work is already open; rowhome owners in Baltimore City often get better value from a high-efficiency tank.
We will tell you which one fits your house and usage instead of steering you toward the larger invoice.
Repair and Maintenance
We also service existing tankless units: error code diagnosis, flow sensor and igniter issues, venting problems, and the descaling that hard water makes essential here. If your unit is delivering inconsistent temperatures or shutting down mid-shower, that is usually scale, gas supply, or venting — all fixable.
Call (443) 949-5878 to talk through a tankless installation or get an existing unit back to full output.