Tankless Water Heater in Lakeside, CA

Who supplies my water, and what's in it?

Lakeside is split between two water retailers. San Diego LAFCO lists Lakeside Water District as serving Lakeside, Eucalyptus Hills, Moreno Valley, Muth Valley and Wintergardens, while Padre Dam Municipal Water District also serves parts of Lakeside, so the right district depends on your street. Lakeside Water District's supply is mostly treated surface water delivered through Helix Water District's R.M. Levy plant, plus imported water and local groundwater from the Santee-El Monte basin that the district treats at its Vine Street plant for iron and manganese. The water is chloraminated. Hard water is typical of the region, so plan on isolation valves for yearly descaling and read your district's current report for its figures.

Will an older Lakeside house need upgrades?

Likely. The median Lakeside home was built around 1978, and about 52.5 percent were built before 1980. In homes of that age the heater sits on a gas branch line sized for a tank and vents into a metal flue that a tankless unit can't use. Expect the plumber to check gas pipe size and length from the meter and plan a separate vent. Original supply valves and flex connectors near the heater are often worth replacing at the same time. If your home uses propane, the supplier and the tank regulator need to support a tankless burner's demand, and the unit must be set up for propane.

How do permits work in an unincorporated area?

Lakeside has no city government, so the County of San Diego Planning & Development Services Building Division issues permits for homes here. Simple permits, status checks, inspection scheduling and fee payment are online through Accela Citizen Access, and general County information is at (858) 694-3900. A tankless conversion with new gas piping and venting typically needs a permit, which the plumber can usually pull.

A Lakeside note

Inland valley nights get cold enough in winter that outdoor units should never lose power to their freeze protection. For water problems on Lakeside Water District's side, the district takes reports any time, day or night, at 619-443-3805. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from a safe distance; on propane, call 911 and your propane supplier.