A busy cafe depends on hot water all day. When an aging tank water heater could no longer keep up, Pespisa replaced it with a high-efficiency commercial tankless water heater and reclaimed valuable floor space along the way.
A commercial tankless water heater was the right solution for this Concord, MA cafe because hot water was not optional. Espresso prep, dishwashing, handwashing, and end-of-day cleanup all depended on having hot water ready when the business needed it.
The cafe had been running on a standard gas tank water heater that was starting to show its age. For a food-service business, that kind of uncertainty can quickly turn into a major problem. If the water heater quits, service can slow down or stop completely.
Pespisa removed the old tank and installed a high-efficiency Rinnai commercial condensing tankless water heater. The new unit was relocated to a better service location, connected with a new gas line, and re-piped so the cafe now has continuous hot water without a bulky tank taking up space in the back of the house.
Project Snapshot
| LOCATION | Concord, MA |
| APPLICATION | Commercial, cafe / food service |
| SERVICE | Commercial tankless water heater installation |
| SYSTEM | Rinnai Sensei CX commercial condensing tankless water heater |
| MODEL | Rinnai CX199IN |
| CAPACITY | 199,000 BTU |
| EFFICIENCY | 97% condensing |
| FUEL | Natural gas |
| VENTING | UL 1738 intake and exhaust, direct to exterior |
| CONDENSATE DISPOSAL | Inline neutralizer and automatic condensate pump |
| WARRANTY | 8-year commercial warranty |
| MAIN GOAL | Replace an aging tank water heater with reliable, continuous hot water |
The Challenge: An Old Tank Water Heater That Couldn’t Keep Up
A cafe runs on hot water. When the old tank water heater reached the end of its life, the owner needed a replacement before it became an emergency.
The existing unit was a standard gas tank water heater. It held a limited amount of hot water, took up space in a tight back-of-house area, and reheated stored water around the clock, even when the cafe was closed.
For a working cafe, those limitations mattered.
A tank only holds so much hot water. Once it runs out during a busy stretch, the business has to wait for the tank to recover. That is a problem when hot water is needed for espresso prep, dishwashing, handwashing, and cleanup.
The unit was also old and failing. In a food-service setting, a water heater that quits is not just inconvenient. It can interrupt operations and cost the business money. For this Concord cafe, a commercial tankless water heater offered a better path than simply replacing the old tank with another storage-style unit.
The owner wanted more than another tank in the same cramped spot. The cafe needed a commercial tankless water heater that could keep up with demand, use energy more efficiently, and give back some usable space.
Our Solution: A Commercial Condensing Tankless System, Relocated and Re-Piped
Pespisa removed the old tank and installed a Rinnai CX199IN Sensei CX commercial condensing tankless water heater.
Instead of putting the new unit back in the same tight location, Pespisa relocated it to the second floor next to the existing air handler. This gave the system a cleaner installation location and made the unit easier to access for future service.
The new system included:
- Rinnai CX199IN Sensei CX commercial condensing tankless water heater
- 199,000 BTU capacity
- 97% condensing efficiency
- Natural gas operation
- 8-year commercial warranty
The supporting work included:
- New gas line run from an abandoned gas line at the rear of the building to the new unit
- New hot and cold water lines re-piped from the original location to the new second-floor location
- Condensate disposal system with an inline neutralizer and automatic condensate pump
- Code-rated UL 1738 intake and exhaust venting taken straight outside
- Tankless service valve kit so the unit can be flushed and maintained more easily
Pespisa also reused the existing outlet in the utility closet, which helped keep the job clean and avoid unnecessary added cost. The permit fee and inspection were included as part of the project.
Why This Design Was the Right Fit
For a food-service business, going tankless does more than replace a worn-out piece of equipment. It solves the hot water problems that can affect daily operations.
A commercial tankless water heater heats water as it flows, so the cafe is not limited by the size of a storage tank. That means the business is not waiting for a drained tank to recover during a busy shift.
The 97% condensing efficiency also helps reduce wasted energy. With no tank to keep hot all day, the unit only fires when hot water is being used.
The relocation made a practical difference too. Moving from a floor-standing tank to a compact wall-mounted unit upstairs gave the cafe back usable floor space in the back of the house.
The system was also matched to the demands of a commercial setting. The Rinnai CX199IN is rated for commercial use and carries an 8-year commercial warranty, making it a better fit for daily cafe operations than a standard residential tank. The project also followed the kind of condensate planning required for commercial gas water heaters, since condensing systems need proper drainage and may require neutralization.
The Result: Endless Hot Water and More Usable Space
The cafe now has continuous hot water from a high-efficiency commercial tankless water heater, installed, permitted, and inspected by Pespisa in one complete project.
Instead of relying on an aging tank that could run out during busy periods, the cafe now has hot water on demand for espresso prep, dishwashing, handwashing, and cleanup.
The project delivered:
- Endless hot water for a working cafe
- 97% efficiency with no standby tank losses
- More usable floor space by removing the bulky floor-standing tank
- A compact wall-mounted commercial tankless unit
- 8-year commercial warranty
- New gas line, re-piped water lines, and proper condensate disposal
- UL 1738 intake and exhaust venting direct to the exterior
- Permit and inspection handled by Pespisa
- Existing utility-closet outlet reused to keep costs down
For this Concord cafe, the upgrade was not just about replacing a water heater. It was about protecting daily operations, improving efficiency, and making better use of limited back-of-house space.
Equipment Used for This Concord, MA Commercial Tankless Installation
| Application | Commercial, cafe / food service |
| System | Rinnai Sensei CX commercial condensing tankless water heater |
| Model | Rinnai CX199IN |
| Capacity | 199,000 BTU |
| Efficiency | 97% (condensing) |
| Fuel | Natural gas |
| Venting | UL 1738 intake and exhaust, direct to exterior |
| Condensate | Disposal system with neutralizer and automatic condensate pump |
| Warranty | 8-year commercial |
| Location | Concord, MA |
Got a Cafe or Restaurant That Runs on Hot Water?
If your tank water heater is getting old, running out during busy hours, or taking up space you would rather use, a commercial tankless water heater may be the right upgrade.
Pespisa designs and installs commercial tankless systems for cafes, restaurants, and food-service businesses in Concord and the surrounding towns. From gas lines and venting to condensate disposal, permits, and inspection, the installation is handled with the details your business depends on.