Before accepting a tankless quote, ask about gas line capacity, venting scope, sizing for your household, and ongoing maintenance needs.
Tell us what you need—we’ll call you back fast.
Quick answer
Before accepting a gas tankless water heater quote, ask whether your existing gas line can supply the unit's peak flow rate or whether upsizing is needed, whether new venting has to be run to an exterior wall, how the unit was sized to your household's hot water demand, and what ongoing maintenance, such as periodic descaling, the unit will need. A written quote that answers these clearly helps you understand what you're actually paying for beyond the unit itself.
Need a licensed gas fitter for your hot water / boiler? Call CANRO at (604) 359-1081 — residential natural-gas heating and hot water across Metro Vancouver since 1999.
A tankless water heater draws gas at a much higher rate than a storage tank when it's actively heating water, and many older homes have a gas line sized for the previous tank-style unit rather than a tankless one's peak demand. Ask specifically whether the existing gas line was assessed for tankless flow requirements, and if it needs upsizing, ask how that's reflected in the quote. This is one of the most common reasons a tankless quote ends up higher than initially expected, and it's better to know upfront than after installation begins.
This matters more in older Metro Vancouver homes where the gas line may have been sized decades ago for a single, smaller appliance, before the addition of a tankless unit or other gas equipment was considered.
Tankless units generally vent differently than storage tanks, often requiring dedicated venting run to an exterior wall rather than sharing an existing chimney. Ask whether new venting is included in the quote, what material is being used, and where it will terminate on the exterior of your home, since termination location can matter for clearances from windows, doors, and property lines.
A tankless unit sized without asking about your actual household habits risks underperforming during peak simultaneous use, which is a common complaint when sizing wasn't discussed upfront.
| Maintenance item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Periodic descaling | Mineral build-up on the heat exchanger reduces efficiency over time |
| Filter cleaning | Some units have an inlet filter that needs periodic attention |
| Annual inspection | Confirms combustion, venting, and controls are working as expected |
Ask whether the installer offers a maintenance plan or simply provides guidance for scheduling your own periodic service, since tankless units generally benefit from more regular attention than a simple storage tank.
Get a written quote that addresses gas line capacity, venting scope, sizing rationale, and maintenance expectations. As a ballpark, not a quote, tankless installs in Metro Vancouver commonly run $3,500 to $7,500 depending on these factors, and the specific number for your home should reflect an actual site assessment rather than a generic estimate.
Beyond the installation itself, ask what ongoing performance to expect from the unit in your specific home, including how incoming water temperature through a Metro Vancouver winter might affect output at peak simultaneous use. Ask whether the quoted unit's capacity was chosen with some headroom for future changes in household demand, such as a planned secondary suite, or whether it's sized tightly to current use only. A contractor who has thought through these longer-term questions, rather than just the installation day itself, is generally giving you a more complete picture of what you're paying for.
Safety note
Tankless water heater installation involves gas line and venting work that must be completed by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter; CANRO holds gas licence LGA0043870. If you ever smell gas, leave the home and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911.
A tankless unit draws gas at a higher rate than a storage tank when actively heating, and an undersized line can limit performance or require upsizing before installation.
Often yes, since tankless units typically vent differently than storage tanks and usually need dedicated venting to an exterior wall.
Based on the number of fixtures that might run hot water at the same time, whether a suite shares the system, and incoming water temperature through the seasons.
Generally yes; periodic descaling and occasional filter cleaning help maintain efficiency and are worth discussing with your installer.
It's a general budgeting range; your specific price depends on gas line and venting work confirmed during an assessment.
The installer will note this during the quote process and include any necessary upsizing as part of the scope, which affects the final price.
Family-run, TSBC-licensed (gas LGA0043870 · boiler LBP0046450), serving Metro Vancouver homes since 1999. Residential, natural gas only.
Call (604) 359-1081 Email info@canroheat.ca“Canro does an amazing job! Super professional and skilled with everything—boilers, furnaces, and AC. Always a pleasure working with them!”
“Five stars for Canro. We needed a replacement of a 30-year-old boiler. A new high-efficiency unit was installed—clean, professional work.”
“I can’t speak highly enough about George, who was recommended for a boiler service call for my parents’ home. George is excellent.”
25+ years keeping Metro Vancouver homes comfortable. Honest advice, upfront pricing, work that lasts.