The Gradient syncFURNACE Tankless is a combined furnace and tankless water heater in one cabinet,
made in Calgary. It heats your home and produces your domestic hot water from a single appliance,
which Gradient states is roughly 50 percent smaller than a separate furnace and tank, and it vents
through one vent set instead of two. Current models are the sFT-202 and the sFT-201, and older V4
units are badged mOD-200. 180 Plumbing and Heating services, repairs and installs them across
southeast Calgary, including units we did not install. Call 403-404-9975.
How it works, in one paragraph
One high efficiency modulating gas burner heats water inside a stainless steel dual pass heat
exchanger. When your thermostat calls for heat, that hot water runs through a coil and the blower
pushes air across it into your ducts. When you open a hot tap, the same burner supplies the tap
directly, with a one gallon internal buffer so short draws do not have to fire the burner from
cold. One appliance, one burner, one vent, two jobs.
The specifications
These come from Gradient’s own technical documents. We publish them because owners and buyers
should not have to open a manual to find out what is in their house.
| sFT-202 | sFT-201 | |
|---|---|---|
| Burner modulation | 12:1 | 10:1 |
| Burner input range | 16 to 195 MBH | 19 to 192 MBH |
| Burner output | 15.2 to 187 MBH | 18.6 to 186 MBH |
| Furnace minimum input | 15,000 BTU/hr | 19,000 BTU/hr |
| Efficiency | 0.95 UEF | 0.95 EF |
| Domestic hot water at 77F rise | 5.0 GPM | 4.8 GPM |
| Ignition | 24V | 120V |
Shared across both current models:
- Five sizes. Standard duct: 8L, 12L, 16L, 20L. High velocity: 06H, 10H.
- Airflow 200 to 2,000 CFM depending on model.
- Space heating output 15 to 95 MBH depending on model.
- Weight 200 to 245 lbs. Dimensions from 35 x 30 x 17.5 inches up to 40 x 37 x 24 inches,
height by depth by width. - Electrical 115 Vac, 60 Hz, single phase. Minimum circuit ampacity 5.4A to 14.6A, maximum
fuse or breaker 15A to 20A. - Hot water delivery 10.5 US gpm at a 35F rise, 8.2 at 45F, 5.1 at 72F, 4.8 at 77F. Minimum
activation flow 0.5 US gpm. - Hot water setpoint 90 to 140F. Water pressure 30 to 150 psig, with an internal 150 psig
pressure relief valve. - Gas natural gas at 3.5 to 10 inches water column, propane at 8 to 13. An LP conversion kit is
available. - Venting 2 inch or 3 inch PVC or polypropylene, special vent type BH Class II A/B/C. Maximum
30 feet per run on 2 inch, 100 feet per run on 3 inch. - Recirculation pump Grundfos 15-78 non ferrous.
- Direct spark ignition, internal condensation trap, full variable speed backward curve blower,
air conditioning ready. - CSA P.9-11 performance certified.
- Safeties: water temperature high limit, burner flame quality, blocked condensation trap, and
venting high limit.
What is different about it
One appliance instead of two. That is the headline, and the practical consequence is space.
Gradient states a typical installation needs a closet rather than a mechanical room of a hundred
square feet or more, which is why these units turn up in newer homes and townhomes where floor area
is at a premium.
One vent instead of two. In an older Calgary home with a single chimney, that can be the
deciding factor. Gradient states the unit can be retrofitted inside an existing B-vent and
terminated vertically out the roof, which avoids the side wall termination that causes so many
frozen vent problems in this climate.
Deep modulation. The sFT-202 modulates 12:1, meaning it can run at about 8 percent of its
capacity. Gradient’s comparison is that most traditional furnaces cannot go below about 40 percent,
a 4:1 turndown, which is why a conventional system swings between too warm and too cool. A unit
that can run gently for long periods holds a steadier temperature and short cycles less.
Low electrical draw. Gradient states the furnace and water heater together draw under 10 amps,
which matters in homes where the panel is already close to full.
Front serviceable. Gradient describes it as the only product in its class fully serviceable
from the front. That is a design decision with a direct consequence for owners: the unit can sit in
a tight closet and still be worked on properly.
What Gradient claims about running costs
These are the manufacturer’s figures, and we quote them as theirs rather than presenting them as
our own measurements.
- Gradient states that homeowners in Alberta typically save between 500 and 900 dollars a year on
utility bills compared with traditional or electric heating systems. - Gradient rates the unit at 95 percent efficient for both space heating and water heating.
- Gradient’s reasoning is that a single appliance doing both jobs avoids the standing loss of
keeping a tank of water hot around the clock.
Your own saving depends on your house, the equipment you are replacing, and how much hot water you
use. We will give you an honest view of it for your specific house rather than repeating a
brochure number.
What it is like to own
Hot water. At worst you will wait one to two minutes for hot water at the furthest fixture
after a long period of no use, and typically it is close to instant during normal daily use. That
is Gradient’s own description and it matches what we see.
Noise and comfort. Deep modulation means longer, gentler cycles rather than short bursts, which
most people notice as fewer temperature swings and less blower noise.
Your other equipment still works. Gradient states the system is compatible with any standard
thermostat, air conditioner, humidifier or other mechanical equipment, and the unit is listed as
air conditioning ready.
Filters. Any standard furnace filter fits. Gradient names Aerostar, Clean Comfort, GeneralAire
and Honeywell as examples. Size depends on model: the 05L, 08L, 06H, 10L, 12L and 10H take a 16×25,
and the 16L, 15H and 20L take a 20×25. All are 14 inches high by 23 inches deep.
Servicing. Once a year, and it is a bit more involved than a furnace tune up because there is a
water side. Full detail on
the annual service page.
Going on holiday. There is a correct way to shut the water off, and it is worth knowing.
Gradient’s procedure is in the owner guide.
The legacy mOD-200
If your unit is badged mOD-200, you have a V4 syncFURNACE. It is the previous generation and it
still works exactly as described above. Parts and service are still available, the maintenance
schedule is comparable, and there is no reason to replace a working unit because a newer version
exists.
Where V4 and V5 differ is in the detail: control behaviour, some fault code specifics and some
service parts. Tell us the model number when you book and we will bring the right parts.
Servicing and repairs
We service Gradient syncFURNACE Tankless units across southeast Calgary, whether or not
we installed them, including units in tight closets other companies have declined to work on.
- Something is wrong now: the fault code reference
- It needs its annual service: service and maintenance
- It is in a closet nobody will touch:
tight closet and townhome service - Thinking about installing one: installation
How we price this work
We charge by the job, not by the hour. You get one number for the finished work, agreed before
anything starts and always in writing. Parts, labour, disposal and permits are in the number you
agreed. If we find something else once we are in, we stop and re-quote, and you decide. On larger
work you will see three options rather than one: the straightforward fix, the one we would
recommend, and the one that deals with the underlying cause.
Call 403-404-9975.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Gradient syncFURNACE Tankless?
A combination appliance made in Calgary by Gradient Thermal that replaces both your furnace and your water heater with one unit. A single modulating gas burner heats water in a stainless steel heat exchanger. That water heats the air going into your ducts, and the same burner supplies your taps on demand through a one gallon internal buffer.
What is the difference between the sFT-202 and the sFT-201?
The sFT-202 modulates 12:1 against the sFT-201’s 10:1, has a wider input range of 16 to 195 MBH against 19 to 192, delivers 5.0 GPM of hot water at a 77F rise against 4.8, and uses 24 volt ignition where the sFT-201 uses 120 volt. Both are rated at 0.95 efficiency and share the same five cabinet sizes.
How much hot water does a syncFURNACE produce?
Gradient rates the sFT-202 at 10.5 US gallons per minute at a 35 degree Fahrenheit rise, 8.2 at 45 degrees, 5.1 at 72 degrees and 4.8 at 77 degrees. In practical terms the colder your incoming water and the hotter you want it, the lower the flow.
Will a Gradient work with my air conditioner and thermostat?
Yes. Gradient states its systems are compatible with any standard thermostat, air conditioner, humidifier or other mechanical equipment, and the syncFURNACE is listed as air conditioning ready.
Is a Gradient combi unit cheaper to run?
Gradient states that homeowners in Alberta typically save 500 to 900 dollars a year on utility bills compared with traditional or electric heating, and rates the unit at 95 percent efficient for both space and water heating. Their reasoning is that one appliance doing two jobs avoids the standing loss of keeping a tank hot around the clock. Those are the manufacturer’s figures, and your actual saving depends on your house and your hot water use.
What is a turndown ratio and why does it matter?
It is how far a burner can throttle down from its maximum. The sFT-202 is 12:1, so it can run at roughly 8 percent of capacity. Gradient notes that most traditional furnaces cannot run below about 40 percent, which is a 4:1 ratio. A unit that can run gently for long periods holds a steadier temperature and cycles on and off less often.
What is a mOD-200?
It is the previous generation V4 syncFURNACE. It works the same way as the current models, parts and service are still available, and there is no reason to replace a working one. Some control behaviour, fault code detail and service parts differ from the V5 units, so tell us the model when you book.
Written by Desmond Neufeld, Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Certified Type B Gasfitter. Last updated 23 August 2026.
