Tankless Water Heater Installation & Repair in Austin, TX
Lantz Home Services installs, replaces, and repairs tankless (on-demand) water heaters across Austin, Lago Vista, and the Highland Lakes. We size every unit for Central Texas groundwater, account for the hard-water scaling that kills tankless heaters early in this region, work with propane and natural gas, and tell you upfront which Texas rebate actually applies to a tankless unit. Licensed plumbers, permit included, family-owned and serving the area since 1974.
Lantz Home Services has served the Highland Lakes and Hill Country for more than 50 years as a family-owned plumbing, HVAC, and electrical company. Our tankless work is handled by licensed plumbers, including field technicians like Scott, who brings 44 years of plumbing experience to every sizing call and gas-line assessment. We pull permits, install to Austin-area code, and stand behind the work. Because we live and work in this region, we install for the conditions tankless units actually face here, not a generic metro template.
On-demand heat that fits how Central Texas homes use hot water
A tankless unit heats water only when a fixture calls for it, so you never run out mid-shower and you stop paying to keep 40 to 50 gallons hot around the clock. In our market the bigger wins are space, lifespan, and avoiding the sediment problems that kill tank heaters early on hard water.
- Endless hot water — Back-to-back showers, the dishwasher, and a load of laundry can run at once without the cold-water surprise a tank gives you when it empties.
- 15 to 20 year lifespan — Tankless units routinely outlast tanks by nearly double, and components are serviceable, so you replace a part rather than the whole appliance.
- Reclaimed space — A wall-mounted unit the size of a carry-on frees up the floor space a 50-gallon tank eats, useful in lake-area homes and tight utility rooms.
- No standby loss — Tanks reheat all day to fight standby heat loss; tankless units skip that entirely, trimming the water-heating slice of your bill.
- No tank to silt up — Highland Lakes minerals settle in tank bottoms and cause early failure; a maintained tankless unit sidesteps that, and we make annual flushing easy.
- Cleaner water lines — Without a tank holding standing water, you avoid the scale and residue a corroding tank pushes out through your fixtures.
The Austin tankless rebate most websites get wrong
A lot of Austin plumbing pages still claim Austin Energy gives a $600 rebate on a gas tankless unit. As of 2026 that is not accurate, and acting on it can cost you money. Here is how the programs actually work for a tankless install.
Austin Energy's $800 water-heater rebate applies only to ENERGY STAR heat-pump (hybrid electric) water heaters. Gas water heater installations are explicitly excluded, so pointing to Austin Energy for a gas tankless rebate does not hold up. The program that actually rebates a natural gas tankless unit is Texas Gas Service, at $400, or $650 for higher-efficiency qualifying models, with eligibility tied to your service area and rate code. We confirm current program rules and your eligibility before you commit to a unit, and we help with the paperwork. Many lake-area homes on propane fall outside both programs, and we tell you that upfront rather than after the sale.
Built for Highland Lakes water, propane, and Hill Country freezes
A tankless unit only delivers its 20-year promise if it's installed for the conditions it actually lives in. These are the local realities we design around on every job.
- Hard-water scaling is the number-one tankless killer here. Highland Lakes water runs mineral-heavy. We set isolation valves for clean annual descaling and recommend a softener so scale never chokes the heat exchanger.
- Propane on off-the-main lake and rural homes. Lago Vista, Horseshoe Bay, and Spicewood properties are often on propane, not natural gas. We size the LP orifice, regulator, and gas line correctly instead of assuming natural gas.
- Hill Country freeze cycles. Tankless units need power and freeze protection. We address venting, condensate, and outage exposure so a hard freeze doesn't leave you without hot water.
- Second-home and seasonal vacancy. Lake homes that sit empty for stretches need the right setup for intermittent use, and we plan for the vacancy patterns common across the Highland Lakes.
"On the lake side, the install that lasts isn't about the brand on the box. It's whether someone sized the gas line and planned for the hard water. That's where most early failures start." — Scott, 44 years of field plumbing experience, Lantz Home Services
Tank vs. tankless for an Austin-area home
| Factor | Traditional tank | Tankless |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water supply | Limited to tank size; runs out | Endless, on demand |
| Typical lifespan | 8 to 12 years | 15 to 20 years |
| Hard-water tolerance | Sediment builds in tank, shortens life | No tank to silt up (with annual flush) |
| Footprint | 40 to 50 gallon floor unit | Wall-mounted, compact |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher (offset over lifespan) |
| Works in an outage | Gas tank: limited | No, needs 120V power |
| Maintenance | Periodic flush | Annual descaling required here |
Our People Make the Difference!
Get to Know the Experts Who Bring Quality and Care to Every Job
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Jacob Lantz Owner -
Brittany M. Dispatch Manager / Membership Liaison
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Kayla J. Dispatch
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Kelly S. Accounting
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Charly
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Pat
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Cami C. Marketing Director
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Mark M. Plumbing Service Manager
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Derek J. HVAC Technician
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Darren T. HVAC Technician
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Greg W. HVAC Service Manager
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Willie K. Plumbing Technician
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Noland M. Plumbing Technician
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Nicholas H. Electrician
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When you need plumbing, HVAC, or electrical service in Austin, TX, trust the local team dedicated to serving Central Texas homeowners with dependable service and professional care.
Tankless water heater FAQs for Austin
Are tankless water heaters worth it in Austin and the Hill Country?
For most area homes, yes: endless hot water, a smaller footprint, and a 15 to 20 year lifespan versus 8 to 12 for a tank. The local caveat is hard water. Highland Lakes and Hill Country water is mineral-heavy, so the unit needs annual descaling and ideally a softener to reach that 20-year mark. Maintained properly, it usually pays off.
What Austin water heater rebates are actually available in 2026?
Austin Energy's $800 rebate covers only ENERGY STAR heat-pump (hybrid electric) units; gas installs are excluded. For a natural gas tankless unit, the program to use is Texas Gas Service: $400, or $650 for higher-efficiency qualifying models, subject to your service area and rate code. We confirm current eligibility before you buy.
Will my Lago Vista or lakefront home need a propane tankless unit?
Often, yes. Many lakefront and rural homes around Lago Vista, Horseshoe Bay, Spicewood, and Marble Falls are off the natural gas main and run on propane. Tankless units come in LP configurations, but the orifice, regulator, and gas-line sizing differ from natural gas, so we verify your fuel source and size for it before quoting.
How does the Highland Lakes hard water affect a tankless water heater?
Local water is hard, often well above 120 ppm, and minerals scale up the heat exchanger over time, choking flow, cutting efficiency, and potentially voiding the warranty. The fix is an annual descaling flush plus a whole-home softener. We install isolation valves so the unit can be flushed cleanly every year.
What size tankless unit do I need in Central Texas?
It comes down to flow rate (GPM) and temperature rise. Central Texas groundwater runs about 65 to 70 degrees, so the needed rise is smaller than up north, which helps. Most area families land on a 7 to 11 GPM unit depending on how many fixtures run at once. We size to your simultaneous-use count so the unit never runs cold during back-to-back showers.
Does a tankless water heater work during a power outage?
No. Even gas and propane tankless units need a 120V connection for the igniter and controls, so they won't make hot water during an outage, worth knowing during Hill Country freeze events. If outage resilience matters to you, ask us about pairing the unit with a generator circuit.
How long does installation take, and will my home need upgrades?
Most installs run a half-day to two days. Homes built before 2000 often need a larger gas line (tankless demands more gas flow than a tank), stainless-steel venting, and a dedicated 120V outlet. We assess all of that, pull the permit, and give you the full scope before any work begins.
Trusted By Your Neighbors!
Real Feedback From Real Customers
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Preventative maintenance is the backbone of Lantz Home Services. Once again being part of their PM program I avoided a complete shutdown of our grinder pump. Lantz Master Plumber Justin Barnett arrived and I thought all was well until he requested that I take a “peek” into what I would describe as a total catastrophe about to happen at any moment. The grinder system was a horror of failing pump and sewage accumulation and related nasties. Justin told me my options from doing nothing to fixing it with 3 options, which were clearly defined with costs and various replacement components and when it would be finished. We chose wisely. Justin returned with all of the components and in 4 hours it was stripped completely and reassembled with new components. Justin is organized, articulate, educated and polite. Bravo Lantz Home Services PS. I worked in industrial Preventative Maintenance for 25 years. These guys are the real deal.- Randy L.
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I had a great experience with Lantz Home Services. We ran into an electrical issue at our lake house late in the day, and I honestly didn’t think we’d be able to get an electrician out that evening. When I called, they reassured me that someone would be available—and they delivered. Nick, their electrician, arrived around 7 PM and had everything resolved by 9 PM. He was prompt, thorough, and very courteous throughout the entire process. He quickly diagnosed the problem and fixed it efficiently, all at a very fair price. I truly appreciate their responsiveness and professionalism. I highly recommend Lantz Home Services and will definitely be using them again in the future.- Larry W.
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Zachary was beyond helpful! He jumped straight to the problem, made sure everything was properly working, walked me through the fix and was straightforward from the get go about what the potential issues could be and what the estimated repairs were as well! He kept me informed and even shared pictures when I couldn't be there right away. After everything was done he put everything back the way it was. This was a grinder pump drainage pipe repair. The site looked as if he was never there! Five stars.- Simon V.
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I had an excellent experience with this HVAC company and especially with Moses, who came out for a second opinion. After a previous technician tried to convince me that I needed a full system replacement (on a 4-year-old unit), Moses took a completely different and highly professional approach. He performed thorough diagnostics before suggesting anything and took the time to properly assess the system instead of jumping to conclusions. He confirmed that there was no leak, no major component failure, and that the system was actually in good working condition. The issue was likely electrical, not something requiring expensive replacements. This immediately put my mind at ease. What really stood out is their honesty and integrity. Instead of pushing unnecessary work, they were transparent about the fact that no major repairs were needed. They also documented their findings and shared everything clearly, which builds a lot of trust. Huge shoutout to Moses for being knowledgeable, thorough, and genuinely looking out for the customer’s best interest. It’s rare to find this level of honesty in the industry. Highly recommend if you want accurate diagnostics and fair, trustworthy service.- Annamaria
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Excellent service, fast, and professional team. Willie Krueger was the tech who came through, he solved plumbing issues that had bugged me for almost 10 years in about 20 minutes. Will absolutely use them in the future for anything I can, and would highly recommend to anyone I need of their services.- Jonathan J.
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Zac was very cordial and made sure I was aware of what he diagnosed and what it was going to cost. We had one of our Heat Pumps replaced last week, the Techs were John and Landyn. The response was amazing as was the changeout. I can not speak highly enough about the professionalism we received!- Gerald P.
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The folks at Lantz Home Services installed this Tankless Water Heater for me and were absolutely amazing! They put up new wall paneling to cover some wall defects I had from the old tank water heater. So happy with my new water heater!!- Nichole W.
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Mark and Willie came out to the Christian Brothers Automotive pflugerville location and were able to handle the commercial plumbing issue that 3 other plumbing companies were not able to figure out. We will only be using them form now on the difference was night and day between them and the others. On a side note Willie’s service truck was the cleanest most well organized service truck we all had ever seen!!! They take pride in their service and we appreciate that in our service industry as well!- Ian D.