Tankless Water Heater in Fontana, CA

What happens when you call

Your call is routed to an independent plumber who works in Fontana. Expect a short conversation about the current heater (gas or electric, tank or tankless, and roughly how old), the number of bathrooms and where the unit sits. If you already have a tankless heater that is acting up, have the error code and model number ready. From there the plumber sets a time to look at the gas line, the vent route and the water connections, then explains the options.

Permits for the work go through the City of Fontana Building & Safety office at 8353 Sierra Avenue, (909) 350-7640, either online through Build Fontana or at the counter. The installing plumber normally handles the application and inspection.

What drives the cost

• Gas capacity: a whole-house tankless burner can need a larger pipe from the meter
• Vent path: a short garage-wall exit is simpler than routing through the attic
• Model type: condensing units add a condensate drain; non-condensing units need stainless vent pipe
• Scale protection: a softener or cartridge if your supplier's water is hard
• Location change: moving the heater from a closet to the garage or an outside wall adds piping

Fontana conditions

The City of Fontana says water service is split among five providers, each serving a defined area: Fontana Water Company (the main one), Cucamonga Valley Water District, West Valley Water District, Marygold Mutual Water Company and Crawford Canyon Mutual Water Company. If you are not sure, the City suggests calling Fontana Water Company first at (909) 822-2201. Fontana Water Company's supply includes Lytle Creek surface water, wells in the Lytle, Rialto and Chino basins, and purchased State Water Project water, so mineral content depends on the mix. Read your provider's annual water quality report before choosing scale treatment.

Census survey figures put Fontana's median year built at 1989. Many homes have garage heaters with a short route to an outside wall, which keeps a tankless install simpler than in older cities. Sewer is a City service, with treatment by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency.

Before the plumber arrives

• Find your home's own shutoff valve; Fontana Water Company asks customers not to use the angle stop or meter valve, which are company property
• Clear space around the heater and the gas meter
• Note the heater's model, age and any error code
• Check your water bill to see which company serves you

If you smell gas at any point, leave the house, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside.