Tankless Water Heater in Leesburg, VA

What happens when you call

You will be connected with an independent plumber who works in Leesburg. The first conversation covers your current heater's fuel and age, the number of bathrooms and where the gas meter and heater sit. From there the plumber can say whether the existing gas pipe and vent route will work or need changes, and how the permit steps fit the schedule.

In Leesburg the order matters. The Town requires a Zoning Permit before Loudoun County Building and Development issues building permits, and the Town tells residents to check with the County (703-777-0220) on which trade permits apply. County trade permits are filed as sub-records of a parent building permit, either in person or online through LandMARC.

Cost factors

• Gas capacity. A whole-house burner can demand far more gas than a tank, which may mean larger pipe from the meter.
• Venting. A short sidewall vent from a basement or garage costs less than a long route.
• Condensate drain. Condensing models need a drain line, sometimes with a neutralizer.
• Permits. Town zoning plus County building and trade permits.
• Scale protection. Service valves come standard; a softener or scale cartridge is optional.

Leesburg water and housing

Leesburg runs its own water and sewer utility, separate from Loudoun Water. The Town treats Potomac River water at its Kenneth B. Rollins Water Filtration Plant and also has one groundwater well. It reports hardness of typically 100 to 150 ppm, or 5.8 to 8.8 grains per gallon, varying with rainfall, and disinfects with chlorine. That is moderately hard: scale will form in a heat exchanger, but an annual flush usually keeps it in check. Homes near the edges of town may be Town customers or not, so check your bill.

The median home in town was built in 1993, so most houses have newer supply piping, while the historic downtown has older buildings with tighter spaces. Washington Gas runs mains through Leesburg. If you smell gas, leave first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, from outside.

Before the plumber arrives

• Photograph the label on the current heater
• Clear a path to the heater and the gas meter
• Note which fixtures run at the same time on a busy morning
• Find your most recent Town utility bill