Tankless Water Heater in Duluth, GA

Signs to look for

• A builder-grade tank from the 1990s still running in the garage
• Hot water that fades halfway through the second shower
• Puddles or rust stains around the tank's base
• An installed tankless unit showing a code or shutting off mid-use
• Hot water pressure that drops when a second fixture opens

Duluth conditions

Much of Duluth was built in the 1980s and 1990s, with a median build year of 1994. Those homes usually keep the water heater in a garage or basement, which gives room for a wall-mounted tankless unit and a short vent through an exterior wall. Gas pipe sized for a tank and furnace may still need upsizing for a tankless burner, and homes with three or more baths may need a larger unit or recirculation for upstairs bathrooms.

Water comes from Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, drawn from Lake Lanier and treated at the Shoal Creek and Lanier filter plants. Gwinnett reports average total hardness of about 1.34 grains per gallon, which is soft water, so scale builds slowly. The water is disinfected with chlorine at an average residual of about 1.43 ppm. Gwinnett also keeps a lead service line inventory searchable by address.

The City of Duluth Community Development and Engineering takes trade permits through its GovWell portal, and its inspection list includes a water heater inspection. Atlanta Gas Light runs the gas distribution system; Duluth's inspections page lists AGL contacts for new service.

What drives the price

• Gas supply. Whether the pipe from the AGL meter can carry the unit's full input.
• Venting. Short sidewall runs from a garage are simplest.
• Condensate handling. Needed for high-efficiency condensing units.
• Size and recirculation. Larger homes may need a bigger unit or a recirculation loop.
• Permit and inspection. The city water heater inspection is part of closing out the job.

When you call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who serves Duluth and nearby Gwinnett cities. Have the age and size of the current heater and the number of bathrooms ready. If you notice a gas smell at any point, leave the house, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from a safe location before anything else.