Why plan the install before the tank fails
Tanks wear out from the inside. The sacrificial anode rod is consumed, sediment builds up and the steel corrodes. When a heater is past its expected life, rust-colored hot water, rumbling noises or a damp spot at the base are the usual early signs.
Planning gives you time to compare options and book a daytime visit. It also lets you avoid the premium for emergency dispatch. If the tank is already leaking, see water heater replacement instead.
Choosing the right unit
Tank size and household
A household's hot water demand depends on the number of people, bathrooms and how often fixtures run together. A tank that is too small runs out. One that is too large wastes energy keeping water hot.
Fuel and venting
Gas units need venting and a gas line. Electric units need the right circuit. A switch between fuels costs more because of that supporting work. Heat pump models need clearance and a drain.
Tank or tankless
Tankless units heat on demand and take less floor space, but need larger gas supply and venting. See tankless water heater service for details.
What the installation visit includes
- A site check of space, venting, gas or power and the water connections.
- A written quote with equipment, labor and permit stated.
- Removal and haul-away of the old unit where there is one.
- Installation with seismic straps, a safe discharge for the relief valve and an expansion tank when pressure calls for one.
- Testing, the permit inspection and a walkthrough of shutoffs and settings.
Planning a water heater install? Call to book a daytime visit.
Call (650) 860-1670| Situation | Effect on the job | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Same fuel, same location | Simplest | Often one visit |
| New location | Longer | New gas, water and drain runs |
| Gas to electric or the reverse | Longer | New circuit or gas capping |
| Tankless upgrade | Longer | Gas size, venting and controls |
| Remodel timing | Scheduled | Coordinate with other trades |
What goes into an installation quote
- The equipment. Tank, tankless and heat pump units sit in very different price ranges.
- Supporting work. New venting, a gas line change or an electrical circuit are separate line items.
- Code items. Straps, discharge piping, expansion tank and a permit belong in the quote.
- Removal. Haul-away of the old unit is typically included, but ask.
- Scheduling. A daytime visit costs less than emergency dispatch.
Utility or state incentives sometimes apply to efficient and heat pump water heaters. Check current programs before you buy, because they change. You get a written price before work begins.
What to do with the old heater and the space
The old unit has to leave the property, and the plumber handles that. Before they arrive, clear the area around the heater so the crew can move. If the heater sits in a closet or alcove, measure the opening, because some new units are taller or wider than the old one.
Think about the surface it stands on. A stand or drain pan helps limit damage if the tank leaks in future, particularly where the heater sits above living space. Ask the plumber whether a pan with a drain line is appropriate for your location.
Permits when the heater moves or changes type
In Mountain View the Building Division asks for a permit before any water heater is installed or replaced, so a planned install is permitted work from the start. If your project is part of a larger single-family alteration, the City's fixture-compliance rules may also apply, and the Division can tell you whether your project triggers them. Their number is 650-903-6313.
Mid-century slab homes like those in Monta Loma often have the heater in a garage or utility closet. Moving it to a different room is a plumbing and venting project, not a swap.
New heater installations are plumbing work under the California Plumbing Code, published by IAPMO, which also publishes the UPC. The City inspector checks the finished job against it.
Water heater installation questions
How do I know when to replace my water heater before it fails?
Rust-colored hot water, rumbling, damp spots at the base and an age of more than a decade are warning signs. The plumber can read the serial number to date it.
Do you remove the old water heater?
Yes. Removal and haul-away are part of a standard installation. Ask to confirm it is on your quote.
Do I need a permit for installation in Mountain View?
Yes. The City's Building Division states a permit is required for every water heater installation and replacement.
Can I move my water heater to another location?
Usually. A relocation needs new water, gas or power and venting runs, so it costs more than a swap.
Is an expansion tank always needed?
Not always. It depends on whether your system is closed and what your pressure is. The plumber checks both and tells you.