At a glance
- Category
- Water Heaters
- Who it is for
- Homes and basement units
- Phone
- (365) 363-2754
Telltales that call for tankless water heater installation
- You want the basement floor space back.
- Long showers run back to back and the tank runs out.
- Your current tank is ending its life and you want to compare options.
How we do the work
Gas comes first. A tankless unit can need far more gas, measured in BTUs, than a tank, so we check the meter capacity and the gas line size from meter to heater. Undersized pipe is the most common reason a tankless unit runs poorly.
- Mount the unit on a wall with clearance for service.
- Run venting to the outside, observing clearances to windows and doors.
- Run a condensate line to a drain, with neutralizer where required.
- Add a service valve kit, which lets a pump circulate descaling solution later.
- Connect gas through a properly sized line and test for leaks.
- Commission, set the temperature and walk you through the controls.
On Ajax streets
Ajax water is moderately hard, and scale is the enemy of a tankless heat exchanger. We recommend a yearly flush, or a softener if the house already has scale problems. Many Ajax basements have the space and the side-wall access that make venting straightforward; some townhouses and semis do not, and we tell you before you buy.
Local tip Our tankless or tank manual lays out costs, space and maintenance side by side.
Price swings on
The unit, the gas line upgrade if needed, the venting route and the condensate drain.
Worth asking the plumber
- Is my gas meter large enough?
- Where will the vent exit?
- What flow rate will I get in winter?
Questions we hear on the phone
Does tankless work well in a Canadian winter?
It works, but colder incoming water lowers the flow rate it can heat. Sizing must use winter water temperatures.