Tankless Water Heater Service in Hickory, NC

Navien Service Specialist for Catawba County

Tankless Water Heater Services

A&B Plumbing services every brand of tankless water heater installed in the Hickory, NC area for both residential and commercial customers. Whether you need a routine annual flush, an error-code diagnosis, a flow-sensor swap, or a full descaling on a unit that has not been maintained in years, we handle it in-house and same-day during business hours.

We are a Navien Service Specialist - the only one in Catawba County. We also regularly service Rinnai, Rheem, Noritz, and other major tankless brands. Call (980) 276-0199 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, or use our online form to schedule.

About A&B Plumbing

Residential & Commercial Plumbing

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Navien Service Specialist

Same-Day Service Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM

Better Business Bureau Accredited

Tankless Repair & Maintenance in the Hickory, NC Area

At A&B Plumbing, we provide repair and maintenance services for tankless water heaters across Catawba County and the surrounding areas. Our technicians are experienced in handling all types of tankless issues, from a quick error-code clear to a full descaling on a unit that has been on hard well water for years.

When you choose A&B Plumbing for tankless water heater service near Hickory, you can expect on-time arrival, an honest diagnostic, and a written quote before any work begins. We carry common Navien parts on the truck so most repairs happen in a single visit. Regular maintenance extends the life of your tankless unit and keeps efficiency high - especially important in outlying Catawba County where well water mineral content shortens the time between flushes. Contact us today to schedule tankless service near Hickory, Conover, Newton, Claremont, or anywhere across Catawba County.

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Tankless vs. Tank Water Heater - Which Is Right for Your Home?

If you are considering tankless for the first time, the trade-offs are straightforward. The table below lays out what you actually get with each, in plain terms.

Factor	Tank Water Heater	Tankless Water Heater
Hot water supply	Limited by tank size (30, 40, 50, 75 gal). Runs out under heavy use.	On-demand, continuous. Limited by flow rate (GPM), not capacity.
Typical lifespan	8 to 12 years	15 to 20 years with annual flushing
Energy use	Standby losses - reheating water it is not using.	Heats only when water is flowing. Typically 20 to 30 percent more efficient.
Footprint	40-gallon tank takes 4 to 5 square feet of floor.	Wall-mounted, the size of a small suitcase.
Install cost	Lower upfront - basic tank swap.	Higher upfront - gas-line upsize, venting, and condensate drain often required.
Maintenance	Annual flush recommended; replace anode rod every 3-5 years.	Annual descaling required - especially on hard well water.
Best for	Smaller households, basements with space, lower upfront budget.	Larger households, multi-bathroom homes, energy-conscious owners, tight install spaces.

For installation pricing and the install process, see tankless water heater installation. For repair detail and Navien error codes, see tankless water heater repair.

Navien Tankless Water Heaters We Service

A&B Plumbing is a Navien Service Specialist - the only one in Catawba County. Brandon is factory-trained on the full Navien residential lineup and we carry common Navien parts on the truck so most service calls finish in one visit.

NPE Series (NPE-150, NPE-180, NPE-210, NPE-240) - condensing tankless for residential and light commercial.
NPN Series - non-condensing tankless, value tier.
NCB Series - combi units (tankless plus hydronic heat).

Common Navien error codes we read and clear on site:

E003 - ignition failure. Often gas supply, igniter, or flame rod.
E012 - flame loss during operation. Gas pressure, vent restriction, or flame rod.
E110 - exhaust fan or air-pressure switch fault.
E351 - cold-water inlet sensor or water-pressure fault.

If your Navien is throwing an error code, call (980) 276-0199 with the code from the display. We can often triage on the phone before we roll.

Annual Maintenance & Tankless Flushing

Tankless water heaters need annual descaling - more on hard water. Water in outlying Catawba County (Falling Creek, Mountain View, Sherrills Ford) frequently runs above 7 grains per gallon of hardness. That mineral builds up inside the tankless heat exchanger and chokes flow over time. Untreated, scale eventually drops efficiency, triggers error codes, and shortens the unit's life.

What a tankless flush includes when we do it: isolate the unit at the service valves, hook up the flush kit, circulate a food-grade descaling solution through the heat exchanger for 45 to 60 minutes, rinse, clean the inlet water filter, check error history, and confirm full flow restored. We also pressure-test the gas connections and visually inspect the venting at the same time.

For homes on city water, an annual flush is the standard cadence. For homes on hard well water with no softener, every 6 to 9 months is smarter. We tell you on the first visit what your unit needs based on actual water-quality readings.

Same-Day Tankless Repair in Hickory

No hot water from a tankless unit is a same-day call. We provide same-day tankless repair Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, dispatching from our Hickory and Conover offices. Common parts (Navien igniters, flame rods, flow sensors, fan assemblies, water-pressure sensors) ride on the truck so most repairs finish in one visit.

If a tankless failure hits after hours, shut the water and gas off at the unit, document for insurance if there is any water damage, and call us at 8 AM. We prioritize overnight emergencies on the morning schedule. See our emergency plumber Hickory NC guide for the full after-hours protocol.

Here's What Our Customers Are Saying

Ellen M.

"Brandon arrived on schedule, diagnosed the issue and called me at work at my request to discuss the options. He proceeded with the agreed upon plan which confirmed that his diagnosis of the cause of the leak was correct. The repairs were completed immediately and the cost was reasonable. Brandon was extremely knowledgeable and professional and I would highly recommend him for any plumbing needs."

Douglas W.

"A&B Plumbing installed a new water heater. The technician broke everything down so I could understand the issue. He provided several options and was able to install the new heater the same day. Great experience, highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for an honest company that does good work."

Kevin T.

"Needed a leak prevention system installed because my insurance company didn't want to cover me unless I had one installed. I called A&B and explained to them my situation which was time sensitive. They arrived a day later to give me a quote on the specific job and other future projects I may be interested in...

Maggie H.

"Brandon is professional, respectful, knowledgeable, neat, and has an excellent customer service ethic. We trust him to recommend the right solution and to execute flawlessly. His company schedules within a 2-hour window and texts us when he is on the way. We could not be more pleased with the quality of the workmanship. We're solid lifetime customers of this business!"

Our Tankless Water Heater Services

Tankless Installation

New tankless installs for residential and commercial homes - gas line, venting, condensate drain, and permit included.

Annual Maintenance & Flushing

Descaling and flushing to remove mineral buildup and keep your tankless unit running efficiently.

Tankless Repair

Diagnosis and repair for all tankless brands, including Navien error-code troubleshooting and flow-sensor work.

Navien Specialist

Factory-trained service for Navien tankless water heaters - NPE, NPN, NCB.

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Tankless Water Heater Service FAQ

1. How often should I service my tankless water heater?

Annually for city water, every 6 to 9 months for hard well water without a softener. Annual descaling removes mineral buildup from the heat exchanger and prevents error codes and efficiency loss.

2. How long does a tankless water heater last?

15 to 20 years with annual flushing - roughly twice the service life of a tank water heater. Skipping annual maintenance shortens lifespan considerably, especially on hard well water common in outlying Catawba County.

3. Do you service Navien tankless water heaters?

Yes - A&B Plumbing is a Navien Service Specialist. Brandon is factory-trained on the NPE, NPN, and NCB lines. We carry common Navien parts on the truck and can read most error codes on site.

4. What does a tankless flush cost?

Quoted on site after the diagnostic. Flushing is a flat-rate service. For homes on a maintenance plan, it is bundled at a lower per-visit cost.

5. Can I do tankless maintenance myself?

Inlet filter cleaning, yes. Full descaling involves pulling the unit's service-valve covers, connecting a pump-driven descaler, and circulating food-grade solution - safer and faster with the right kit. We handle the full flush so you do not risk damaging the heat exchanger.

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Tankless water heater installed by A&B Plumbing in Hickory NC

Tankless water heater service in Catawba County

Navien tankless water heater service Hickory NC

Related Services

Compare tankless and tank options on our water heater repair Hickory NC page. For new installs, see tankless water heater installation; for repair detail, see tankless water heater repair. Also: tank water heater service, general plumbing.

Service Areas

A&B Plumbing Service Area Catawba County NC

We Offer Financing

We get it: repair and service can be expensive, especially when it is unexpected. When you work with us, you can expect a hassle-free experience, which is why we are happy to offer financing through Wisetack and their partners at Housecall Pro.