If you’ve been looking into tankless water heaters and wondering where the hidden costs might be, new venting is definitely one of them. While tweaks to your venting system are a given, sometimes greater reworks are necessary to properly install your tankless water heater.
We’ve installed tankless water heaters in countless homes around the Los Angeles area, and we’ve learned a thing or two about the cost of venting in many different situations. While every home is different, we’re here to give you an insight into how much venting can cost so you can avoid surprise expenses during an installation.
In this article, we’ll tackle the various types of venting and how much each costs so you can go into your tankless water heater consultation with some added peace of mind.
Cost of Different Types of Venting
There are several types of venting you might run into during the installation process. Some are on the cheaper end and others can get pricey fast, depending on how much venting is needed.
The common types of venting are:
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PVC
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Concentric
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Stainless Steel
Check out each type in order of price.
PVC
PVC is the cheapest form of venting you can install with your tankless water heater. You’ve likely seen PVC before in other applications; it’s the white, plastic-looking piping on display in any hardware store.
You can expect to spend $1 to $5 per foot or between $50 to $300 on PVC venting.
Concentric
This type of venting is where things begin to get more expensive. Concentric venting gives homeowners the benefit of having their intake and exhaust be a part of the same pipe. Having one pipe for two functions means only one hole needs to be made in the side or roof of your home.
Concentric venting can cost $20 to $60 a foot or, on average, $300 to $800.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is another more expensive venting option. As you might have guessed, this venting is made of stainless steel and offers sturdy construction without the risk of sagging over time.
You can expect stainless steel venting to run about $20 to $60 a foot or around $300 to $800 in most cases.
What Affects Venting Cost?
Like most aspects of tankless water heaters, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to every situation. Not every tankless water heater has the same specifications or is compatible with every type of venting. Because of this, the price can fluctuate based on a couple of factors.
Complexity of Plumbing
Every home is different, and that extends to the pipes that run throughout your home. In some cases, lines run with many sharp angles. While this doesn’t sound like a significant increase in cost, it can easily bump up the cost of your tankless water heater installation by several hundred dollars.
The added expense comes from the fittings used to create those angles in your pipes. The material you use also plays a role here since stainless steel and concentric venting fittings will cost more than something like PVC or B-Vent.
Required Venting
Sometimes, there’s no getting around more expensive venting, and you won’t really have a say in which venting is appropriate for your tankless water heaters. Every tankless water heater is designed for a specific type of venting.
Using improper venting can lead to early breakdowns and decrease the overall lifespan of your tankless water heater. Your tankless water heater technician will check the manufacturer’s specifications and use whichever venting is appropriate for that specific model.
You don’t want to cut any corners here, so the best course of action is to trust in your technician and do a bit of your own research to feel more at ease with their decision.
Now You’re Up to Speed on Tankless Water Heater Venting
We’ve touched on the various types of venting you might encounter during your tankless water heater installation. You now have a better idea of what to expect in terms of overall cost regarding various types of venting. With this information, you’ll be able to avoid the shock of additional expenses when it comes to venting.
After 15-plus years of installing tankless water heaters, we can confidently tell you that not every installation is different, including venting. These factors can add up, and it’s best to have a clear picture of what you’re getting into. Call us at (310) 853- 8690 to schedule a consultation, or visit our tankless water heater page to get more information.
Check out whether you can use your existing venting to determine if you can save a buck or two during the installation. Additionally, if you’re still uncertain of whether a tankless water heater is right for you, it’s best to address that before calling in so you can be confident in your decision.
