Tankless Water Heater in Parker, CO

What happens when you call

The call connects you with an independent plumber who works in Parker. Expect questions about the heater's age and fuel, the number of bathrooms and whether you're inside the Town of Parker or in an unincorporated area such as The Pinery or Stonegate, since that decides who issues the permit. The plumber then checks the gas line, the vent route and the spot where the unit will hang, and talks through scale treatment. Inside town, the plumber applies through the Town's eTRAKiT portal; the Building Division at 20120 E Mainstreet (303-841-0353) says water heater and furnace replacements and plumbing alterations require permits.

What affects the cost

• Gas supply. A tankless burner can draw several times what a tank does, so the line from the meter may need a larger size.
• Venting. Sidewall exits from a garage or basement keep the run short.
• Condensate. Condensing models need a drain, sometimes with a neutralizer.
• Scale treatment. Parker's hardness can justify a filter or softener ahead of the unit.
• Permit. Town of Parker or Douglas County, depending on the address.

Parker conditions

Parker Water and Sanitation District (PWSD) is a special district separate from the Town. It blends Denver Basin groundwater, treated for iron and manganese, with surface water stored in Rueter-Hess Reservoir and treated at a ceramic membrane plant, plus WISE partnership water treated by Aurora. Its latest report lists average hardness of 108 ppm, ranging from 34 to 206 ppm, and the water is disinfected with chloramine. PWSD also notes that red or discolored water can come from naturally occurring iron and manganese in its wells. Both hardness and those metals can coat a tankless heat exchanger and clog inlet screens, so isolation valves and a regular flush are worth building in.

Not every Parker address is in PWSD: the Parker Chronicle reports Stroh and Hess Ranch are outside its boundaries, and The Pinery has its own water and wastewater district. Check your bill. Gas service wasn't confirmed for the Town on the sources reviewed, so your gas bill shows the utility. If you smell gas, leave the house, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside.

Before the plumber arrives

• Note the heater's model and age
• Find a recent water bill to confirm your district
• Clear space around the heater and gas meter
• Look for rust stains or scale on fixtures