At 5,280 feet, standard installation isn’t enough. A Clear Choice Plumbing and Heating properly deratas, adjusts, and tests every tankless system for Denver’s thin air — so you get full performance at full altitude.
Tankless water heaters (on-demand systems) heat water only when needed, delivering unlimited hot water at 90–98% efficiency compared to 60–70% for traditional tanks. For Denver homeowners, they offer lower energy costs, longer lifespan (20+ years), and space-saving wall-mounted designs—ideal for homes in areas like Capitol Hill and LoHi.
However, Denver’s altitude (5,280 ft) significantly affects performance. Lower atmospheric pressure reduces a unit’s output by ~15–17%, meaning a standard system may underperform without proper adjustment. This can lead to inconsistent hot water and system errors.
Professional installation must include altitude derating, gas valve calibration, and load testing to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, Xcel Energy offers rebates on qualifying high-efficiency tankless units, helping homeowners offset installation costs.
Altitude Derating — Denver's Most Critical Installation Step
Navien Installation & Service
Rinnai Installation & Service
Gas Line Assessment & Upsizing
Tank-to-Tankless Conversion in Existing Denver Homes
Annual Descaling & Preventive Maintenance
Denver Permit & Inspection Handling
Altitude-derated, Xcel rebate-eligible, fully permitted — Call for a free assessment.
A Clear Choice is Denver’s tankless water heater specialist — here’s the depth of expertise we bring to every installation:
The Altitude Derating Process — Why Denver is Different
When your Denver water heater fails, we offer same-day installation of standard 40–50 gallon gas and electric tank units — fully permitted, altitude-adjusted, and ready to deliver consistent hot water by the end of the day.
Navien NPE Series — Our Top Denver Recommendation
Navien’s NPE condensing series is our most-installed tankless brand in Denver for good reason: built-in recirculation, high efficiency, and a strong track record in Colorado’s altitude and water conditions. The NPE series is particularly well-suited to larger Capitol Hill and Washington Park homes where long supply runs would otherwise mean extended wait times for hot water at distant fixtures.
Rinnai RUR Series — Industry-Leading Reliability in Denver
Rinnai’s RUR condensing series combines 98% thermal efficiency with one of the most extensive Colorado service networks of any tankless brand. We install and service Rinnai systems across Denver and carry Rinnai-compatible parts for Denver service calls — ensuring fast turnaround when annual descaling or component service is needed.
Denver Water Hardness Zones — Northern vs Southern System
Denver’s water hardness varies by neighbourhood based on which of Denver Water’s two supply systems feeds your pipes. The Northern System — serving LoDo, Highlands, Capitol Hill, Washington Park, and Cherry Creek — draws from mountain runoff and delivers relatively soft water. The Southern System — serving parts of Park Hill, Montbello, and Green Valley Ranch — is harder. We assess your zone and set your descaling schedule accordingly, preventing scale damage and maintaining warranty coverage.
Xcel Energy Rebates for Denver Tankless Units
Xcel Energy offers rebates for qualifying high-efficiency water heaters installed by Denver customers — including certain condensing tankless models. We identify whether your chosen unit qualifies, advise on model selection to maximise rebate value, and provide the documentation needed to submit the rebate application. Xcel rebates can offset a meaningful portion of the installation cost.
Sediment Flush & Anode Rod Service
Tankless units require 150,000–199,000 BTU of gas flow. Most Denver homes built before 1990 — particularly in Capitol Hill, Congress Park, Highland, and Five Points — have gas supply lines sized for the lower-BTU appliances of that era. We assess your existing supply line, calculate whether it can support the chosen unit’s demand, and include any required upsizing in the project quote upfront.
Denver Permit & Inspection Coordination
Water heater replacement in Denver requires a City of Denver permit and inspection. We manage the application, schedule the city inspector, and deliver the signed documentation — you don’t need to contact the city.
The Altitude Derating Process — Why Denver is Different
When your Denver water heater fails, we offer same-day installation of standard 40–50 gallon gas and electric tank units — fully permitted, altitude-adjusted, and ready to deliver consistent hot water by the end of the day.
Navien NPE Series — Our Top Denver Recommendation
Navien’s NPE condensing series is our most-installed tankless brand in Denver for good reason: built-in recirculation, high efficiency, and a strong track record in Colorado’s altitude and water conditions. The NPE series is particularly well-suited to larger Capitol Hill and Washington Park homes where long supply runs would otherwise mean extended wait times for hot water at distant fixtures.
Rinnai RUR Series — Industry-Leading Reliability in Denver
Rinnai’s RUR condensing series combines 98% thermal efficiency with one of the most extensive Colorado service networks of any tankless brand. We install and service Rinnai systems across Denver and carry Rinnai-compatible parts for Denver service calls — ensuring fast turnaround when annual descaling or component service is needed.
Denver Water Hardness Zones — Northern vs Southern System
Denver’s water hardness varies by neighbourhood based on which of Denver Water’s two supply systems feeds your pipes. The Northern System — serving LoDo, Highlands, Capitol Hill, Washington Park, and Cherry Creek — draws from mountain runoff and delivers relatively soft water. The Southern System — serving parts of Park Hill, Montbello, and Green Valley Ranch — is harder. We assess your zone and set your descaling schedule accordingly, preventing scale damage and maintaining warranty coverage.
Xcel Energy Rebates for Denver Tankless Units
Xcel Energy offers rebates for qualifying high-efficiency water heaters installed by Denver customers — including certain condensing tankless models. We identify whether your chosen unit qualifies, advise on model selection to maximise rebate value, and provide the documentation needed to submit the rebate application. Xcel rebates can offset a meaningful portion of the installation cost.
Sediment Flush & Anode Rod Service
Tankless units require 150,000–199,000 BTU of gas flow. Most Denver homes built before 1990 — particularly in Capitol Hill, Congress Park, Highland, and Five Points — have gas supply lines sized for the lower-BTU appliances of that era. We assess your existing supply line, calculate whether it can support the chosen unit’s demand, and include any required upsizing in the project quote upfront.
Denver Permit & Inspection Coordination
Water heater replacement in Denver requires a City of Denver permit and inspection. We manage the application, schedule the city inspector, and deliver the signed documentation — you don’t need to contact the city.
It depends on your peak hot water demand and Denver’s altitude.
Yes. Xcel Energy offers rebates on qualifying high-efficiency tankless units. We help you choose eligible models and handle the paperwork.
Denver’s elevation reduces output by ~15–17%. Proper altitude adjustment (gas and airflow tuning) is required to prevent performance issues.
Ready to install a Denver tankless water heater the right way? Call A Clear Choice for your free altitude-adjusted assessment and all-in project quote.
