Tankless Water Heater in Decatur, GA

Can a 1920s Oakhurst bungalow take a tankless heater?

Often it can, with planning. About 23% of Decatur homes were built in 1939 or earlier, and the median build year is 1975. In those houses the heater may sit in a crawlspace access, a basement or a back closet with an old flue, and the gas line from the meter was sized for a tank and a furnace. A tankless unit needs a sealed vent to an outside wall and enough gas for a much larger burner, so a plumber usually proposes a dedicated line from the meter and a sidewall vent. Electric units are sometimes suggested for a single far bathroom instead of the whole house. Newer infill homes and renovations on Decatur's close-in streets are simpler, since the builder usually left a garage or mechanical room with an outside wall.

Expect the plumber to look at three things on the first visit: where the vent can exit without crossing a window or a neighbor's property line, how far the unit will be from the gas meter, and whether a condensate drain can reach a floor drain or the sewer line.

What permit does Decatur require?

The City of Decatur requires separate trade permits for plumbing, gas and mechanical work regardless of job value, and every application goes through the Community Core online portal. The Design, Environment and Construction Division is at the Leveritt Public Works Building on Talley Street. If the address only has a Decatur mailing label and sits in unincorporated DeKalb, the county handles the permit instead.

Does DeKalb water affect maintenance?

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management supplies the city, drawing from the Chattahoochee River and treating it at the Scott Candler plant. The report does not list hardness, so a home test tells you whether the default flush interval is enough. DeKalb also runs a "Check your line" service line inventory, worth a look if the house is old enough to have a galvanized supply. A tankless heater is sensitive to debris, and an old galvanized line shedding rust can clog its inlet screen, so the plumber may suggest checking the supply line too.

Local note

Atlanta Gas Light runs the gas lines in Decatur. If you smell gas, leave the house, then call 911 and AGL at 877.427.4321 from a safe distance before anyone touches the heater.