Water heaters · Salt Lake City
Tankless water heaters in Salt Lake City, UT
A tankless water heater heats water as it flows, so it doesn't run out, but it needs a larger gas line, its own venting and a unit rated for your elevation. Installed correctly and descaled regularly, it can outlast a tank heater.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Tankless water heaters for Salt Lake City homes
Tankless is popular in remodels because it frees floor space and ends the 'last shower is cold' problem. The catch is the install: most homes need a gas line upgrade, and in mountain states high-altitude derating means a unit has to be sized with your elevation in mind.
For the full guide, including what you can safely do before a plumber arrives, see tankless water heaters explained.
Tankless water heaters in Salt Lake City at a glance
- Urgency
- Usually plannable
- Area
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Who does the work
- An independent, licensed local plumber
- Permit
- Plumbing permits are issued by the Salt Lake City Building Services division.
- Typical steps
- Load and gas check → Plan venting → Install and permit → Maintenance
- Availability
- Call now to check plumber availability
Signs you need tankless water heaters in Salt Lake City
- Running out of hot water with a tank heater
- Needing floor space in a small utility room
- A tankless unit showing error codes
- Water temperature swinging during a shower
- No descaling in several years
Local conditions
Tankless water heaters in Salt Lake City: what's different
Hard water builds scale in tankless heat exchangers in Salt Lake City, so annual descaling is recommended. Hardness varies by neighborhood because water comes from different canyon sources.
Gas tankless units must be set up for the city's elevation, and switching from a tank may need a larger gas line and new venting.
Many Salt Lake homes have finished basements around the utility room, so tankless units are popular because they free up space. Cold winter water means the unit has to be sized for a larger temperature rise than in summer.
- Water and sewer in Salt Lake City
- Salt Lake City Public Utilities provides water and sewer service.
- Permits in Salt Lake City
- Plumbing permits are issued by the Salt Lake City Building Services division.
Salt Lake City housing and plumbing
The Avenues and Sugar House have early 1900s homes with basements and older drains; newer suburbs are post-1970.
Neighborhoods and ZIP codes
Plumbers on Thawline cover Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, including Sugar House, The Avenues, Liberty Wells, Federal Heights, Rose Park, Capitol Hill. ZIP codes: 84101 · 84102 · 84103 · 84104 · 84105 · 84106.
Other Salt Lake City conditions that affect plumbing
- Hard water: Scale shortens water heater life.
- Altitude and gas appliances: At about 4,200 feet, gas appliances must be set up for elevation.
- Frozen pipes: Winter inversions and cold snaps freeze exposed pipes.
- Earthquake readiness: The Wasatch Fault runs along the Salt Lake Valley, so strapped water heaters and flexible connections are recommended.
How tankless water heaters works in Salt Lake City
- 1
Load and gas check
The plumber calculates flow demand and confirms the gas meter and line can supply the unit.
- 2
Plan venting
Vent route and termination are planned to meet the manufacturer and local code.
- 3
Install and permit
Gas, water, venting and condensate lines are installed and inspected.
- 4
Maintenance
Existing units are flushed with descaler and the inlet filter cleaned.
What affects tankless water heaters cost in Salt Lake City
Every job is priced by the plumber after they see it. These are the things that move the price most. Ask for the price before work starts.
- Unit size and altitude rating
- Gas line upgrade
- Vent route length
- Condensate drain
- Removing the old tank
Tankless water heaters questions in Salt Lake City
Do tankless heaters need altitude setup in Salt Lake City?
Do tankless water heaters work at high altitude?
How often should a tankless heater be descaled?
Will a tankless heater work with my existing gas line?
Also in Salt Lake City
Related
Related plumbing services
Water heater replacement
A leaking tank or a heater past about 10 years old is usually replaced rather than repaired.
Learn moreWater heater repair
If a gas water heater has no hot water, the pilot, thermocouple or gas valve is the usual cause; on an electric heater it's usually an element or thermostat.
Learn more
Gas line repair & installation
If you smell gas, leave the house, then call your gas utility's emergency line or 911 from outside.
Learn moreGuides
Read before you call
Water heaters
No hot water? What to check first
On a gas water heater, check that the pilot is lit and the gas valve is on. On an electric heater, check the breaker and the high-limit reset button. If the pilot won't stay lit, the breaker trips again, or you smell gas, stop and call a plumber.
Costs & planning
Repair or replace your water heater?
Repair when a replaceable part failed on a heater under about 8 years old. Replace when the tank itself leaks, the heater is past 10 to 12 years, or repairs keep adding up. A leaking tank can't be repaired.
Need tankless water heaters in Salt Lake City?
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