Tankless Venting & Gas Line Upgrades
Professional venting and gas line upgrade services for tankless water heaters in Metro Vancouver. Tankless systems require proper venting (PVC or stainless steel) and adequate gas supply lines to operate safely and efficiently. Our licensed gas fitters handle complete venting design, gas line sizing and installation, permits, and inspections for code-compliant tankless installations.
Key Benefits
Installation Process
Assessment & Code Review
We assess your current venting and gas infrastructure, review manufacturer requirements for your desired tankless model, and verify BC Building Code and municipal requirements. We identify what upgrades are necessary for safe, code-compliant operation.
Venting System Design
For condensing tankless models, we design PVC venting systems (typically 2" or 3" diameter). For non-condensing models, we design stainless steel venting (AL29-4C or similar). We plan proper termination locations, clearances from windows/doors, and condensate drainage where required.
Gas Line Sizing & Planning
We calculate required gas line size based on your tankless model's BTU input, gas meter capacity, and distance from meter to appliance. Most tankless units require 3/4" or 1" gas lines. We plan the routing to minimize wall penetrations and maintain proper support.
Permit Application
We obtain gas permits for gas line work and plumbing permits for venting modifications. All work is documented for inspection. We coordinate permit timing with your installation schedule.
Gas Line Installation
Our licensed gas fitters install new gas lines from your meter to the tankless location using black iron pipe or CSST (flexible gas line) where appropriate. We install proper shutoff valves, test connections, and verify adequate gas supply.
Venting Installation
We install the complete venting system according to manufacturer specifications: proper diameter, slope for condensing models, support brackets, termination hoods, and weatherproofing. For condensing models, we install condensate neutralization and drainage.
Pressure & Leak Testing
We pressure test all gas line work to verify no leaks exist. We test gas supply pressure to ensure adequate flow for the tankless unit. We verify venting draft and proper exhaust flow.
Municipal Inspection
Gas line work and venting modifications are inspected by municipal inspectors. We coordinate inspections and ensure all work passes on the first visit. You receive copies of passed inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a tankless water heater need gas line upgrades?
Tankless water heaters require 150,000-200,000 BTU/hour of gas input, much more than traditional tank heaters (40,000 BTU). This increased demand requires larger gas lines (typically 3/4" or 1" instead of 1/2") to supply adequate gas flow. Undersized gas lines result in insufficient hot water and system errors.
What type of venting do tankless water heaters use?
Condensing tankless models (90%+ efficiency) use PVC, CPVC, or polypropylene venting due to low exhaust temperatures (110-130°F). Non-condensing models (80-85% efficiency) require stainless steel venting rated for high-temperature exhaust (300-400°F). Both types must be properly sized, sloped, supported, and terminated according to manufacturer specifications and building codes.
Can you use the existing water heater vent for tankless?
Rarely. Condensing tankless models require completely different PVC venting that can't use old metal vent pipes. Non-condensing tankless may use existing vent pipes in some cases, but often require larger diameter or stainless steel venting for safety and code compliance. We evaluate existing venting during assessment and recommend the proper approach.
How much do venting and gas line upgrades cost?
Venting systems typically cost $500-1,500 depending on complexity, distance, and model type. Gas line upgrades cost $800-2,000 depending on distance from meter, pipe routing, wall/floor penetrations required, and final pipe size. We provide comprehensive quotes that include all materials, labor, permits, and inspections with no hidden costs.