Erwin's housing is among the oldest in Harnett County, so a tankless water heater usually means a new vent and a check of the gas line or electrical panel. Water comes from Harnett Regional Water, and plumbing permits from Harnett County after a Town zoning permit. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Erwin.
Erwin's homes and utilities
Erwin grew up around the Erwin Cotton Mill, and its housing shows it: the median home was built in 1966, roughly two-thirds predate 1980 and about 24% were built in 1939 or earlier, per Census survey data. Erwin has no town water department; Harnett County bought the water and sewer systems in 2006, so water comes from Harnett Regional Water's Cape Fear River plant, with chloramine as the main disinfectant. The 2024 report doesn't list hardness. Harnett County is in Piedmont Natural Gas territory, with service depending on the street.
What to do now
- Check the heater's location. In mill-era houses it may be in a back room, closet or under the house.
- Identify the fuel. Gas, propane or electric, and whether a gas meter is on the house.
- Look at the old vent. Note whether a gas heater shares a chimney or flue with the furnace.
- Note the panel size if you're considering an electric unit.
- Record codes or symptoms on an existing tankless heater.
- Gas smell? Leave the house and call 911 or Piedmont at 800-752-7504 from outside.
Symptoms and causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Flame goes out under heavy use | Gas line too small for the burner |
| Hot water weak at every tap | Scale or a clogged inlet filter |
| Error code after a cold night | Freeze protection or a sensor fault |
| Rust-colored hot water | Old galvanized piping near the heater, or a failing tank |
| Brief cold burst mid-shower | Unit relighting between draws |
What drives the price
- A new dedicated vent through an older wall or roof
- Gas line upsizing from the meter
- Electrical upgrades for whole-house electric units
- Replacing old supply piping around the heater while the area is open
- Permits: Harnett County Inspections handles plumbing for Erwin, after the Town's zoning permit
Because so many Erwin homes are from the mill era or earlier, the work around the heater often matters more than the heater itself. Old flues, undersized gas lines and aging supply pipes are common findings. It's worth asking the plumber to look at the condition of the piping near the heater during the first visit, so any replacement can be done in the same trip rather than after the new unit is hung.
Tankless Water Heaters questions in Erwin
Can a tankless unit reuse the flue from my old tank heater?
Will my gas piping need to be upsized for a tankless heater?
How often should a tankless heater be descaled?
Should I replace a tank heater that still works?
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