Tankless Water Heater in Jamul, CA

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Jamul. Expect questions about your water source, what fuel the house uses (utility gas, propane or electric only), where the current heater sits, and how far it is from the farthest bathroom. On larger properties the plumber may also ask about a guest house or barn with its own fixtures, since a second small unit near those can make more sense than one long run. A site visit confirms gas or propane capacity, the vent route and electrical service.

Cost factors

• Fuel supply. Upsizing a natural gas line, or checking a propane tank and regulator, is often the biggest item.
• Distance. Long runs to far fixtures may call for recirculation or a second point-of-use unit.
• Venting. A wall vent near the old tank location keeps costs down.
• Electrical. Electric tankless units can require a larger service.
• Permit and inspection. Handled through the County for unincorporated Jamul.

Jamul conditions

Jamul is a census-designated place in unincorporated East County along Highway 94. County land-use maps here are dominated by semi-rural and rural designations, with lots of 10 to 80 acres, plus small village residential areas. That spread-out layout is why hot water wait times and fuel supply come up more often than in a suburban tract. Otay Water District lists Jamul among the communities it serves, with imported water and some desalinated seawater from the Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Whether every parcel is inside the district wasn't confirmed, so check your bill.

SDG&E is the county's gas utility, but whether gas mains reach all of rural Jamul isn't verified, so some homes may use propane or electricity. The median home dates to about 1985, with roughly 39 percent built before 1980. Permits come from the County of San Diego Planning & Development Services. Nights east of the coast get colder in winter, so outdoor units need their freeze protection powered.

Checklist before the plumber arrives

• Find your water bill or well records
• Note the fuel type and, for propane, the supplier and tank size
• Photograph the current heater's label and the vent above it
• List outbuildings that need hot water
• If you smell gas, leave first, then call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343; on propane, call 911 and your supplier