Tankless Water Heater in Del Mar, CA

Signs a tankless heater is worth a look

• A tank that's aging, rusting at the fittings or leaving water on the floor
• Hot water that gives out during back-to-back showers
• Limited space in a small closet or garage
• An existing tankless unit with falling flow or scale warnings
• Corrosion on an outdoor heater's cabinet or connections

Del Mar conditions

The City of Del Mar runs its own water system. It buys untreated water from the San Diego County Water Authority, has it treated by the City of San Diego at the Miramar plant, and stores it in four city reservoirs. The city's report shows chloramine disinfection and average hardness of 229 ppm, about 13.4 grains per gallon, within a range of roughly 10 to 14.5. That's hard enough that a tankless heat exchanger will scale up without an annual flush, so isolation valves are a must and a softener is worth considering.

Del Mar is a small coastal city, and homes close to the water deal with salt air that corrodes exposed metal. An indoor direct-vent unit sidesteps that; an outdoor unit should go on the most sheltered wall. Hillside homes may have long runs between the heater and upper-floor baths, where recirculation helps. Del Mar's Building & Safety Services takes mechanical, electrical and plumbing permit applications online through eTRAKiT, with plan review by EsGil; permit questions go to (858) 755-9313 and inspections to (858) 375-9528.

What affects the cost

• Gas capacity. A whole-house burner often needs a larger line from the SDG&E meter.
• Venting. Tight lots and older layouts can make the vent route the deciding factor.
• Salt protection. Sheltered mounting and corrosion-resistant hardware for outdoor units.
• Scale control. Valves, a filter cartridge or a whole-house softener.
• Recirculation. Useful in multi-level homes, adds to the first cost.

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Del Mar. Describe the current heater, its location and how far it sits from the farthest bathroom. The plumber checks gas supply, venting and electrical needs, then handles the eTRAKiT application and inspection. A water problem on the city's side goes to Public Works at (858) 755-3294, or after hours to North County Dispatch at 858-756-1126. If you smell gas, leave the home first, then call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343.