Tankless Water Heater in Murrieta, CA

Signs a Murrieta home is ready for tankless

• The tank is getting old and you would rather replace it once with a different design
• Morning showers run the tank cold before the last person gets a turn
• Popping or rumbling from the tank, which points to sediment over the burner
• Rust-colored hot water or dampness around the base
• You want back the floor space a 40- or 50-gallon tank takes in the garage
• An existing tankless unit flashes codes, sputters or loses flow

What shapes the job in Murrieta

Census survey figures place the median Murrieta home at the year 2000, and roughly 78% of housing units are single-family. Houses of that age tend to keep the heater in the garage and have supply piping in decent shape. The real questions are whether the gas pipe from the meter can carry a burner that fires several times harder than a tank burner, and where a dedicated vent can exit. A plumber measures pipe diameter and run length before recommending a model.

Murrieta's Building Safety Department requires a permit to install, alter, repair or replace any gas, mechanical or plumbing system, and a tankless conversion touches all three. A wall-hung unit no longer needs the floor strapping a tank did, but the mounting, gas connection and relief valve still get inspected.

Water service is split among four districts by address: Western, Eastern, Elsinore Valley and Rancho California. Each one publishes its own water quality report, and the mineral content listed there tells you how often the heat exchanger will want descaling. Your bill names the district.

What drives the price

• Condensing or non-condensing design, and the burner rating your fixtures call for
• Whether the line from the SoCalGas meter has to be upsized
• Vent length and whether it leaves through a sidewall or the roof
• A condensate drain and neutralizer for condensing units
• The City permit and inspection
• Removing and hauling off the old tank

When you call

The number on this page puts you through to an independent plumber who works in Murrieta. Mention how many bathrooms you have, where the current heater sits and whether it burns gas or runs on electricity. If you ever notice a gas odor near the heater, skip any troubleshooting: get everyone outside, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 once you are clear of the house.