How much does tankless water heater installation cost in Vancouver?

Hi, I'm Chris, and I'll be walking you through this conversion project. Looking at your photo, you have a conventional atmospheric-vent gas hot water tank located in a basement. Converting this to a high-efficiency tankless system is a fantastic upgrade that will give you endless hot water and save space, but it does require some physical upgrades. Since a tankless unit has different venting, gas, and power requirements than your old tank, we need to adapt the surrounding infrastructure.

Project Scope

Based on your request and photo, here is the full scope of work we will be

walking through:

1. Gas Tankless Water Heater Conversion:
   • Disconnecting, draining, and removing your

existing gas tank.

• Mounting and plumbing a new wall-mounted gas tankless system (typically a high-efficiency

Navien unit).

• Upgrading the gas connection lines and running new dedicated PVC venting to the exterior of your home.

• Managing all required plumbing and gas-fitting permits and coordinating inspections.

Since this is a single, multi-trade scope

of work, we will dive right into the key decisions, specifications, and site conditions required to build an accurate estimate for you.

To get started, please answer these questions:

Question: What is your postal code? (This helps us check for local permit requirements, utility incentives, and local pricing context).

Question: Would you prefer the standard Navien tankless model (NPE-240 S2) or the premium model (NPE-240A2) which includes a built-in buffer tank and recirculating pump to prevent cold water 'sandwiches'and deliver hot water faster?

• Standard Navien (NPE-240S2)
• Premium Navien (NPE-240A2 with recirculation)

Question: Approximately what year was your home built?

• Pre-1990
• 1990 or newer

Question: Is there currently a standard 120V electrical outlet within 6 feet of the water heater? (Your existing tank does not use power, but a tankless unit requires electricity for its controls and ignition).

• Yes, there is an outlet
• No, an outlet needs to be installed

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Photos that would help

To help verify your venting path and gas line compatibility, a couple of additional photos would be incredibly helpful:

• Exterior Vent Location: A photo of the outside wall nearest to the water heater where the new exhaust and intake venting pipes will exit.
• **Gas Meter /

Main Line:** A photo of your gas meter or the main gas line entering the home (this helps us see if your

gas capacity is ready for a tankless unit).

Your project estimate

Project summary

The client wants to replace an existing atmospheric gas hot water tank in their basement with a contractor-supplied premium Navien NPE-240A2 tankless unit. The home is post-1990, an existing 120V electrical outlet is available nearby, and new direct venting will be core-drilled to the exterior. Gas and plumbing permits are required.

Estimate range

$5,000 - $7,600 This is a starting ballpark, not a final price.

Estimated work

Item	Details	Range
Navien NPE-240A2 Tankless Water Heater Installation Package	INSTALL contractor-supplied Navien NPE-240A2 premium condensing tankless water heater on the basement wall. Includes connection to existing water, gas, and 120V electrical supply, routing of standard dual-pipe combustion venting, and system commissioning. Standard municipal permit fees, existing tank removal, and disposal are bundled in this package.	$4,600 - $7,100
Municipal Gas and Plumbing Permits	PREP and ADMINISTER Gas Permit (Technical Safety BC) and Plumbing Permit (City of Vancouver). Permit fees and administrative costs are included in the primary tankless installation package.	$0 - $0
Existing Tank Removal and Disposal	DEMO, remove, and DISPOSE of the existing atmospheric-vent gas tank water heater. Disposal and hauling fees are included in the primary tankless installation package.	$0 - $0
Thermal Expansion Tank Installation	SUPPLY and INSTALL a thermal expansion tank on the cold water supply line to meet current Vancouver plumbing code requirements.	$200 - $350
Condensate Neutralizer Cartridge	SUPPLY condensate neutralizer cartridge to treat acidic condensate prior to floor drain disposal. Installation labor is included in the primary tankless installation package.	$100 - $175

Cost summary

Category	Range
Materials	$5,000 - $7,600
Labour	$0 - $0
Total	$5,000 - $7,600

What is included

• Coordinate plumbing and gas permits with the local authority (City of Vancouver / Technical Safety BC).
• Shut down the water and gas supply lines; drain and disconnect the existing atmospheric gas water heater tank.
• Remove and safely dispose of the old water heater tank.
• Mount the new Navien NPE-240A2 premium tankless water heater on the basement wall.
• Install new dedicated water supply lines, shutoff valves, and a thermal expansion tank if required by local code.
• Core drill the exterior wall (if required) and route new dual-pipe PVC/CPVC combustion air intake and exhaust vents to the outdoors.
• Connect the gas line to the tankless unit, verifying correct pipe sizing (typically upgrading to 3/4" gas pipe if existing is 1/2"), and perform a gas leak pressure test.
• Install a condensate drain line with a condensate neutralizer cartridge, routing it safely to a nearby floor drain.
• Plug the unit into the existing 120V outlet, fill with water, purge air, test for gas leaks, and commission the system.
• Coordinate final plumbing and gas inspections with local municipal inspectors.

Permits or inspections

Item	Why it may be needed
Gas Permit	Required for installation of a new gas-fired appliance and gas piping modifications in British Columbia.
Plumbing Permit	Required for modification of water distribution lines and connection of a new water heating system.

Possible add-ons

These items are not included in the estimate range above. They may change after an on-site review.

Item	Trade	Possible range	What would confirm it
UPGRADE existing gas line to 3/4" black iron pipe if pressure drop calculations indicate the current 1/2" line is insufficient to support the 199,000 BTU/hr load.	Gas Fitter	$350 - $550	Gas pressure test or sizing calculations reveal existing 1/2" line cannot support the 199,000 BTU/hr load.
SUPPLY and INSTALL a condensate pump if gravity-fed routing to the basement floor drain is obstructed or not possible due to elevation.	Plumber	$275 - $450	On-site assessment determines gravity-fed condensate drainage to the floor drain is physically obstructed or impossible.
SUPPLY and INSTALL a new GFCI-protected outlet if the existing 120V outlet is found to be ungrounded or non-compliant with current electrical code.	Electrician	$125 - $200	Existing 120V outlet lacks grounding, is non-GFCI, or is otherwise non-functional upon inspection.

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You can keep chatting to ask questions or adjust the project — and when you're ready, a real professional will confirm the details and discuss final pricing with you, typically after seeing the space in person.

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