Tankless Water Heater in Lakewood, CO

Lakewood conditions

Census survey figures put Lakewood's median build year at 1977, with about 56% of homes built before 1980. Water heaters in those houses often sit in basements or utility rooms and share a chimney flue with the furnace. A gas tankless unit needs a dedicated sealed vent, and the gas line from the Xcel meter may need upsizing to feed the burner at full fire. Newer homes around Green Mountain and Belmar generally have simpler vent routes.

Water service is a patchwork. Denver Water sells water to nearly 20 providers within Lakewood, including the City's own water utility, Consolidated Mutual, Green Mountain, Bear Creek and others; the City's My Neighborhood tool shows yours. The supply is Denver Water mountain snowmelt, and Denver Water's latest report lists total hardness averaging about 105 mg/L, a moderate level. That calls for flushing a tankless heat exchanger on schedule, roughly yearly. Denver Water uses a chloramine disinfectant, which mainly matters for filters and aquariums. On the City of Lakewood system, the homeowner is responsible for the service line from the meter pit to the house.

Options compared

Signs to act on

• A tank that's rusting, rumbling or weeping
• Hot water running out sooner than it used to
• Tankless ignition or flow errors
• Weaker hot water pressure throughout the house

Timing notes

Incoming water is colder in winter, which lowers tankless output, so size for January. A planned swap in mild weather is easier than an emergency replacement, and it gives time to compare models and sort out any gas line work first. The City of Lakewood Building Department says most plumbing work requires a permit; applications go through eTRAKiT or the counter at 470 S. Allison Parkway (303-987-7500). If you smell gas, leave the house, then call 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999.