Tankless Water Heater in Northglenn, CO

Will a Perl-Mack era house handle a tankless unit?

Usually, with planning. Northglenn began in 1959 as Perl-Mack's planned community, and much of its housing dates from the late 1950s and 1960s, with newer infill such as Karl's Farm. Original homes often vent the water heater through a flue shared with the furnace, and a gas tankless unit can't use it; it needs its own sealed vent, usually out a wall near the heater. The gas piping in those houses was sized for a tank, a furnace and a range, so the plumber measures the run and checks whether a tankless burner at full fire would starve the other appliances. Condensing units also need a drain for their acidic condensate.

How hard is Northglenn's water?

Moderate. Northglenn treats its own water at the plant on W 112th Ave, drawing Clear Creek watershed snowmelt stored in Standley Lake, and disinfects with chlorine rather than chloramine. The City's report lists average hardness of 120 mg/L, about 7 grains per gallon, though that figure comes from earlier sampling. At that level, scale does build in a tankless heat exchanger over time, so plan on flushing at least yearly and consider isolation valves at install. Some owners add a softener or scale filter, especially if they see crust on faucets. Homeowners also pay for leaks between the water meter and the house.

What permits does the City require?

Northglenn's Building Division, run by SAFEbuilt for the City, requires permits for water heater installation or replacement, plumbing modifications, outside water and sewer line work and gas lines. A tankless swap usually touches several of those. The Building Division is at 303.450.8745, and inspections are requested at 303.450.8748. The plumber typically files and meets the inspector, who checks the gas piping, the vent and the relief valve before signing off.

A Northglenn note

Gas service isn't confirmed on the City pages reviewed, so check your gas bill for the utility. If you smell gas near the heater, leave the house first, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside. For water or sewer line problems after hours, the City lists 303.451.1289.