What tankless water heater installation involves
A tankless, or on-demand, heater fires a burner only when a tap opens. Because it heats water fast, it needs a lot of gas for a short time. The installation is mostly about getting fuel in and exhaust out correctly.
- Measure the gas line from the meter and add up every appliance on it.
- Plan the vent route: through the side wall, with clearances to windows, doors and the property line.
- Hang the unit and fit isolation valves for later flushing, and pipe the condensate drain if it is a condensing model.
- Pressure-test the gas, fire the unit and check flow at the furthest tap.
Why North York houses need it
Many households here rent their tank from a water heater company and are weighing whether to buy their own unit instead. Tankless comes up a lot, especially in side-splits and bungalows where the utility room is small or the basement is being finished. Our leaflet on renting or buying a water heater walks through the contract side of that decision.
The honest catch: plenty of older North York homes have a half-inch gas line feeding the furnace and tank. A high-input tankless often needs a larger line from the meter. That can be straightforward, or it can mean running new pipe across a finished ceiling. We tell you which before you commit.
Plumber's tip: Toronto water is moderately hard, and scale collects in a tankless heat exchanger, so plan on flushing it on a regular schedule, or add a softener.
How we write up the job
The order sheet lists the gas pipe size we found, the total load, the vent route chosen, and whether a condensate neutralizer is fitted. Gas work is handled by a licensed gas technician, and the installation follows the applicable gas code. If your old tank is a rental, we note it so you can arrange return with the rental company.
Signs you should call
- Your tank runs out of hot water with two showers going.
- The tank is close to worn out or leaking at the base.
- You need the floor space for a basement renovation.
- You want to stop paying a monthly rental.
Still undecided? Read tank versus tankless first. A good tank is still the better choice for some homes, and water heater replacement covers that route.
Costs and what affects them
Gas line upsizing, vent length, condensate drainage, electrical for the unit and removal of the old tank all affect the total. Unit size matters too: a household with three bathrooms needs more capacity than a couple in a condo townhouse. We price it after the site check, in writing.
One more line on the sheet: maintenance. Ask how often your model needs descaling and whether the warranty requires proof of it. Some manufacturers have tied warranty coverage to a licensed install and regular service, so keep your work order with the manual.
Job at a glance
| Category | Hot water |
|---|---|
| Tools | Gas sizing tables, PVC vent kit, isolation valve set |
| Final test | Two showers at once holding temperature |
Tell-tale signs
- Tank keeps running out with several bathrooms
- Utility room is too tight for a tank
- Old tank due for replacement anyway
Steps on the job
- Size the unit to the flow rate of fixtures used together
- Upsize gas piping if the meter run is too long
- Run concentric PVC venting through the wall
- Install isolation valves for future descaling
Your questions on this one
Will a tankless heater give endless hot water?
It keeps heating as long as the flow stays within its rating. Open too many taps at once and the temperature drops, so we size it to your peak use.
Can it go where my tank is now?
Often, yes, but the vent usually has to change, because most tankless units need their own sealed vent rather than the old chimney.
How often does it need flushing?
With Toronto water, many manufacturers suggest yearly. Check your model's manual.