Is tankless a good fit for your house?
- You want the space a tank takes up for a finished basement
- Hot water runs out during back-to-back showers
- You plan to stay in the home long enough to recover the higher cost
- Your gas meter and line can supply the heater's input rating
What an installation involves
Tankless units are rated in thousands of BTUs, often far more than a tank heater, so the gas pipe from the meter has to be sized for the heater plus the furnace and other appliances running together. Venting is usually plastic through a side wall, with set clearances from windows, doors and the gas meter. We also install isolation valves so the unit can be descaled easily later.
- Check gas capacity and plan the venting route.
- Mount the unit and run gas, water and condensate lines.
- Install service valves for descaling.
- Commission the heater and check the flow rates at your fixtures.
Peel water and tankless heaters
Peel water from Lake Ontario is moderately hard. Scale forms inside the heat exchanger over time, so a tankless heater here needs regular descaling, and many owners add a softener or scale filter. Factor that upkeep into the decision.
Tools, access and testing
| Tools we bring | Combustion analyser, manometer, pipe wrenches, torch |
|---|---|
| What we open | Burner door, flue collar, drain valve, anode port |
| What we test | Gas pressure, draft at the hood, T&P valve, temperature |
Where in Brampton we do this
We take tankless water heater installation calls right across the city, including Vales of Castlemore, Gore Meadows, Springdale, Northwood Park and the streets around them.
Questions we get
Will a tankless heater work during a power cut?
No. It needs electricity for its fan and controls, as do power vent tank heaters.
How long does installation take?
Usually a full day for a straight swap; longer if the gas line has to be upsized or the vent route is complicated.