A tankless water heater is a solid option for most Perris homes. Eastern Municipal Water District supplies water to the entire city, and some of its sources here are quite hard, so scale protection should be part of the plan. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Perris.
Eastern Municipal Water District serves all of Perris. It already served about 80% of the city and took over the former City of Perris water and sewer systems, so every Perris home is now an EMWD customer for both. That simplifies questions about water quality and service lines, but hardness still varies across EMWD's supplies, and that is what a tankless heater cares about most.
What to do now
- Read EMWD's water quality report. Its 2023 Consumer Confidence Report lists hardness by supply: Mills Filtration Plant water averages 4.7 grains per gallon, the Perris Filtration Plant 9.9, and the Perris Valley wells, which serve a limited area along Perris Boulevard near the Ramona Expressway, about 20 grains per gallon.
- Plan scale protection to match. Near the harder end of that range, a softener or scale cartridge plus yearly flushing protects the heat exchanger.
- Check the gas line. A whole-house tankless burner needs much more gas than a tank, so the plumber measures from the SoCalGas meter.
- Choose a mounting spot. A garage or exterior wall usually gives the shortest vent run, and outdoor units need freeze protection for the occasional frosty night.
- Line up the permit. City of Perris Development Services handles building permits online through its Accela portal or at 135 N. D St.; the number is (951) 943-5003.
Signs and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Hot water flow slowly dropping | Scale buildup, common with harder EMWD sources |
| White crust on aerators and showerheads | Hard water minerals |
| Unit cycles on and off with one tap open | Flow near the minimum activation rate |
| Error code after heavy use | Overheat lockout, often tied to scale |
| Cold burst between hot water uses | Normal relight delay in a tankless unit |
Cost factors
- Gas line upgrades from the meter
- Vent material and length
- Condensate drain and neutralizer for condensing units
- Softener or scale treatment where water is hardest
- Recirculation for long runs to remote bathrooms
EMWD uses chloramine for final disinfection. For water outages or trouble on EMWD's side of the meter, call 800-698-0400. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.
Tankless Water Heaters questions in Perris
Is a softener or scale filter worth adding ahead of a tankless heater?
Do I need a permit to switch to a tankless water heater?
How often should a tankless water heater be flushed?
Why do I get a burst of cold water in the middle of a hot shower?
More plumbing services in Perris
Tankless Water Heaters nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: