Tankless Water Heater in Calimesa, CA

Calimesa is a foothill city on I-10 between Yucaipa and Beaumont. It grew from a rural town of single-family homes and ranches, and large planned developments such as Summerwind Ranch at Oak Valley are adding newer subdivisions. Water service is split between South Mesa Water Company and Yucaipa Valley Water District, so the provider depends on your address. Yucaipa Valley Water District sewers the Summerwind Ranch area; sewer service elsewhere in the city varies by address.

What to do now

1. Confirm your water provider. Your bill will show South Mesa Water Company or YVWD. Ask that provider for its water quality report, which lists the hardness.
2. Check the electrical side. The City of Calimesa's water heater handout includes an electrical circuit requirement for new or changed water heaters. Gas tankless units need power for their controls, and electric units need much more.
3. Size for cold weather. Foothill winters bring colder inlet water and occasional frost on exposed pipes, so size the unit for winter and protect outdoor piping.
4. Look at the gas line. Older ranch homes may have a gas branch sized for a small tank.
5. Arrange the permit. City of Calimesa Building & Safety, 908 Park Avenue, 909-795-9801 ext. 226.

Symptoms and likely causes

Cost factors

• Electrical work to meet the City's circuit requirement
• Gas line upgrades on older properties
• Vent route and condensate drain
• Freeze protection and insulation for exposed piping
• Scale treatment once hardness is known
• Longer gas or water runs on larger ranch parcels

SoCalGas is listed as Calimesa's gas utility; some outlying homes may use propane. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200, or 911 and your propane supplier on a propane home.