Compact Design
Compact Design | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Harrogate
In Harrogate, HEP’s Compact Design Plumbing turns cramped airing cupboards into valuable storage by managing every step of your tankless water heater install. Our Gas Safe–registered technicians safely disconnect old cylinders, reroute pipes with minimal disruption, and fine-tune the new unit so you enjoy an endless stream of perfectly tempered water without bulky tanks or standby heat loss.
The result is whisper-quiet performance, up to 40 % lower energy bills, and a greener home—all backed by extended warranties and a friendly local team that’s on call 24/7. Upgrade today and discover how small-space living feels bigger when your hot water system finally keeps up.
FAQs
What are the main benefits of choosing a tankless water heater for my Harrogate home?
Tankless (on-demand) units heat water only when a tap is opened, eliminating standby losses associated with storage cylinders. This typically cuts hot-water energy use by 20–40 %, lowers monthly bills, and provides an unlimited supply of hot water because the system keeps heating as long as there is flow. Modern condensing models achieve efficiencies above 95 %. Their wall-hung, suitcase-sized casing frees up floor space—an advantage in many of Harrogate’s period terraces and new-build apartments. Because there is no tank, the risk of cylinder leaks or catastrophic burst is removed, reducing water-damage concerns and insurance costs.
How does your “compact design plumbing” approach make installation easier or less intrusive?
We map the shortest, most accessible route from the cold supply and gas main to the unit, then fabricate pre-insulated, prefabricated pipework sections in our workshop. These sections click-fit on site, reducing torch or press-tool work inside the property. The tankless unit is hung on a vibration-dampening mounting plate, and any condensate line is run in 22 mm pipe hidden within cupboards or service voids. Because most of the assembly is done off-site, typical installations in Harrogate take 4–6 hours instead of a full day, minimise noise and dust, and avoid disturbing original plaster or historic features common in local stone houses.
Is a tankless heater compatible with Harrogate’s water quality and climate?
Yes. Harrogate sits on moderately hard water (around 150 ppm CaCO₃). All units we supply have integral scale-reduction technology and easy access isolation valves for periodic flushing. For hardness over 200 ppm we add a compact inline polyphosphate filter, but in most Harrogate postcodes this is optional. Outdoor temperatures rarely drop below –5 °C; nevertheless, we specify frost-protected models with self-draining heat exchangers and trace heating on exposed pipework where necessary. That means the heater remains reliable through Yorkshire winters without risk of freezing.
How do I determine the correct size (flow rate) of a tankless unit?
Sizing depends on simultaneous demand, not cylinder volume. We ask you to list fixtures that may run together—for example, one shower (9 ℓ/min), kitchen tap (4 ℓ/min), and maybe a washing machine (6 ℓ/min). Adding the peak flows and factoring in inlet-water temperature (about 10 °C locally) gives us the required ΔT and litres per minute. Most three-bed Harrogate homes are well served by a 24–28 kW unit delivering 13–15 ℓ/min at a 35 °C rise—enough for two showers at once. Larger four-bath properties may require a 37 kW, 20 ℓ/min model. We do a free survey and combustion-air calculation to ensure gas-pipe sizing and venting meet Building Regulations Part L and Gas Safe rules.
How long does installation take and will I be without hot water?
A straight replacement (removing a cylinder or combi and fitting a tankless unit in the same area) usually takes 4–6 hours. Conversions that involve relocating the appliance or upsizing the gas line can take one full working day. Your existing hot-water supply is only isolated once we’re ready to tie in the new heater—typically 2–3 hours. We schedule the changeover to cause minimum disruption and always leave at least one cold tap functional. For vulnerable customers we can provide temporary electric point-of-use heaters by prior arrangement.
What ongoing maintenance and running costs should I expect?
Annual servicing is required to keep the manufacturer’s warranty valid (usually 10–12 years on the heat exchanger). Our Gas Safe engineer inspects the burner, cleans the fan and condensate trap, verifies combustion with a flue gas analyser, and descaled the heat exchanger if hardness warrants. A routine service costs about £85 + VAT, while a full scale flush (every 2–3 years in Harrogate) is roughly £60 extra. Because the heater modulates down to as little as 2 kW, you avoid the short-cycling that wastes gas in traditional systems, so most households see savings of £80–£140 per year compared with a modern combi boiler. With proper maintenance, the unit’s expected lifespan is 20+ years—around double that of a cylinder-based system.