Converting from a gas storage tank to a tankless water heater in a Port Coquitlam home is less about the unit itself and more about whether the venting and gas line can support it.
Tell us what you need—we’ll call you back fast.
Quick answer
A tank-to-tankless conversion swaps a gas storage water heater for a wall-mounted tankless unit that heats water on demand instead of storing it. In Port Coquitlam, whether that swap is straightforward or involves more work comes down to three things: the home's existing gas line size, the venting path available, and how much hot water the household actually uses at once. As a ballpark, not a quote, a tankless installation typically runs $3,500 to $7,500 depending on those factors; CANRO confirms an exact price after a home assessment.
Need a licensed gas fitter for your tankless water heater? Call CANRO at (604) 359-1081 — residential natural-gas heating and hot water across Metro Vancouver since 1999.
The most common reason is running out of hot water with a full household, especially in homes with a finished basement suite where a single tank has to serve two kitchens and two bathrooms. Others are simply replacing an aging tank and deciding to switch styles at the same time, or reclaiming the floor space a storage tank takes up in a smaller mechanical room.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Gas line size | Tankless units draw more gas at once than a storage tank; the existing line may need upsizing |
| Venting path | Most tankless units need dedicated venting through an exterior wall or roof, different from a tank's flue |
| Simultaneous hot water demand | Multiple showers or a suite running at once affects unit sizing |
| Water hardness | Metro Vancouver's reservoir-sourced water is relatively soft, which is generally kinder to a tankless heat exchanger than harder well water found in parts of the Fraser Valley |
A technician first assesses the existing gas line, venting and household hot water demand, then explains whether the current setup supports a straightforward swap or whether the gas line needs upsizing and a new dedicated vent needs to be run. The old tank is drained and removed, the new unit is mounted, gas and water lines are connected, venting is installed, and the system is tested and commissioned before the walkthrough. A Technical Safety BC gas permit applies to this work.
A lot of Port Coquitlam's rental and family housing was built through the 1970s to 1990s with a mechanical room sized around a standard storage tank. Tankless units mount to a wall rather than sitting on the floor, which often frees up useful storage space, but it also means the gas line and vent routing may need to travel further than they did to the old tank's location, particularly in a basement suite where the mechanical room shares space with the suite's own utilities.
A tankless unit isn't automatically the right choice for every home. A household with modest, predictable hot water use and a tank that's still working fine may not see enough benefit to justify the conversion cost. A household that regularly runs out of hot water, or one planning a renovation that already involves opening up the mechanical room, is often a better fit. CANRO's technician gives an honest read on this during the assessment rather than pushing the upgrade regardless of fit.
Safety note
If you ever smell gas near the furnace or anywhere in the house, leave immediately, do not flip switches or use a phone inside, and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 from outside before calling anyone else. Furnace gas connections, venting and combustion safety devices must only be serviced by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter.
As a ballpark, not a quote, tankless installation runs about $3,500 to $7,500 depending on gas line and venting work required. CANRO gives an exact price after assessing the home.
Sometimes. Tankless units draw more gas at once than a storage tank, so a technician checks whether the existing line is sized correctly before installation.
Metro Vancouver's reservoir water is relatively soft, which is generally easier on a tankless unit's internal components than harder water sources.
Yes, a Technical Safety BC gas permit applies to this work, and CANRO handles that as part of the installation.
It depends on your household's hot water use. A technician can give an honest assessment of whether the switch makes sense for your specific home rather than assuming it's always the better option.
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.