Telltale signs: tankless water heater installation
The question of going tankless tends to arise when an old tank is nearing the end of its life, when a basement is being finished and floor space suddenly matters, or when a larger family keeps running out of hot water halfway through the morning. A tankless unit heats water as it flows, so there is no reservoir to exhaust. It is not the right answer for every home, though, and an honest look at your house comes first.
What we bring
- Drain hose, flux, torch and press tools
- Relief valve, dielectric unions, expansion tank
- Combustion and venting test gear
Tested before we leave
- Relief valve discharge pipe checked
- Gas or power connection leak-tested
- Hot water drawn at the furthest tap
On the job: what we open, clear and test
We assess four things before recommending a model: how many fixtures you run at once, the incoming water temperature in winter, the size of your gas line and meter, and where the unit can vent. Lake Ontario water arrives very cold in January, which affects how many litres per minute a unit can deliver at a comfortable temperature.
- Measure fixture demand and pick a suitably sized unit
- Check the gas supply and upsize the line if required
- Plan venting through a side wall or existing chase
- Remove the old tank and mount the new unit
- Install isolation valves for future descaling
- Commission, test and walk you through the controls
What can change the job
Gas sizing is the most common surprise. At full burn an on-demand heater gulps several times the gas of a tank, and an older half-inch line may need replacing. Venting clearances from windows, doors and property lines also limit where a unit can go. Many households rent their existing tank, so check your contract before removal; our guide on renting or buying a water heater covers the questions to ask.
Etobicoke homes and this job
Bungalows and backsplits built from the 1950s to the 1970s, common in places like Rexdale and Etobicoke Centre, often have a chimney-vented tank tucked beside the furnace. Moving to tankless means new venting, and sometimes the chimney liner question for the furnace too. Newer homes in the north end tend to have more room and simpler gas runs, which usually makes for a quicker installation.
A sudden drop in pressure or a leak around the old tank before installation day is worth mentioning; our leak detection service can confirm whether anything else needs attention at the same time.
Before you call
Note the size and age of your current heater from its label, whether it is owned or rented, and how many bathrooms you have. Then call (365) 816-2905. We will arrange a visit to look at the gas, the venting and the space before quoting anything.