Fast Water Heater Company services all of Santa Clara, California. If you’ve woken up to the surprise of a leaking hot water heater or a cold shower, just call by noon and we guarantee same-day service. Our hours are 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
We’re homeowners too and know emergencies don’t conveniently occur just during the week; we’re open seven days a week and don’t charge extra for weekend service calls.
As the water heater experts, we can service, replace or install electric or gas water heaters, standard tank or tankless models and even install hybrid heat pump systems in certain situations. Whether you need a repair, installation, general maintenance, you’re looking for codes or water heater rebates, we’re here to help and we offer free estimates without the hassle of a “trip fee” like most plumbing companies.
All our certified technicians are background-checked and have years of water heater experience before they ever step foot into your Santa Clara home.
Try to find the model number and serial number of your water heater before you call so we can identify the age, warranty and any other pertinent information about your existing water heater. (This info can be found on a large sticker usually on the side of the water storage tank.)
Santa Clara requires a permit for the installation of a hot water heater (this will not delay any work, just will schedule a safety inspection at a later date).
You may be wondering, “Do I need a permit to replace my water heater in Santa Clara?”
Currently, Santa Clara does requires a permit for a water heater installation. The good news is we can pull the permit for you, and it will not slow down any work on our end.
Every few years, Santa Clara water heater codes change to adopt new installation and safety measures. While intended to increase your overall home safety, these code requirements can result in extra installation charges.
Some customers scoff at the idea of paying for a permit for a water heater replacement, but the fact of the matter is water heaters can be dangerous if not installed correctly. In fact, water heaters cause more property damage than any other home appliance. And if the unit is not installed to code by a licensed professional and causes damage, your home insurance could reject any claims. That’s why we put a premium on safety and doing everything by the book.
Your expert technician will go over an item-by-item checklist of all applicable safety codes needed for your installation prior to any work being completed, or cost to you.
We try to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, but your local installer will be able to answer any specific question you may have.
Approved Location – To prevent accidents and avoid contact with CO (Carbon Monoxide), emitted in small amounts from gas heater vents, bathrooms and bedrooms cannot be used as water heater storage areas. Closets may be utilized if that is its only purpose. This regulation is currently enforced in Santa Clara.
Earthquake Straps – Water heaters are required to have earthquake straps on the top and bottom thirds of the tank in accordance with the CA Plumbing Code. The city of Santa Clara enforces this requirement for your safety.
Venting – As gas combustion water heaters produce carbon monoxide (CO) they require proper venting. The water heater size establishes the size of the vent. The clearance between combustible or flammable areas and the vent must be adequate enough to prevent a fire if the vent material gets hot. This requirement is enforced by Santa Clara.
Pans and Drains – The CA Plumbing Code requires a pan to be placed under your water heater if it is located in an interior location or on a built in platform. As potential damage could happen from leakage, a drain line must be attached to the pan and run to the exterior. In most cases the drain to the exterior is required by Santa Clara.
Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – To avoid accidental scalding while the P&T discharges, the CA Plumbing Code requires the P&T drain be run to the exterior. This requirement is enforced by Santa Clara. Furthermore, Santa Clara also requires a 6” nipple on the P&T Drain.
Dedicated Water Shutoff – A dedicated water shutoff ensures you will always have water available, even if your hot water tank is being serviced. The water directly to the tank can be turned off, leaving the rest of the house with running water. This is enforced by Santa Clara.
Pipe Insulation – Pipes must be insulated if they are exposed to unconditioned space. This is enforced in Santa Clara.
Bonding – The CA Electric Code requires water and gas pipes to be grounded. You can successfully ground your pipes by bonding with 6 awg wire and clamps. Often plumbing and electrical wiring are located near each other. If your wires begin to degrade it is possible that your pipes will become energized, putting you in a dangerous situation. Currently, inspectors in Santa Clara require this.
Sediment Traps – Sediment traps are located on gas lines that run to the water heater. Moisture and debris are caught in the trap preventing it from entering the combustion chamber of the water heater. Currently, Santa Clara is enforcing this.
With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments and townhouses all over Santa Clara. All our skilled-technicians are background-checked, thoroughly experienced and trained to efficiently and safely install your new water heater.
Whether you’re replacing a broken, old unit, being proactive and installing a new model, or switching to a tankless water heater, our skilled technicians can answer any of your questions and, if you contact us by noon, install your new water heater the same day you call.
Most importantly, our technicians are local to the area, which means they are up-to-date on all local plumbing codes, safety regulations and regional installation trends.
We install Rheem water heaters, and are an official Rheem service provider for Santa Clara.
We look forward to helping you in Santa Clara. Please keep in mind, while we can quote you a starting price over the phone, we are not able to give a final price until a technician is at your home and can see your unique setup. If you’re happy with the final price, your technician will get to work immediately. But due to this uncertainty, our appointments are no cost and no obligation.
Give us a call or fill out the form below to receive more information about a Santa Clara water heater replacement or installation.
Water heaters are constantly operating, heating and storing hot water for your use. They’re built to last, but if yours starts leaking or you’re out of hot water, you may need to have your water heater repaired.
Typically, a water heater comes with a warranty anywhere from 5-15 years on parts. For this reason, if you start experiencing issues, try to find the model & serial number of your water heater so we can determine if it is still under warranty. Our service technicians are local to Santa Clara and are familiar with most regional heater applications, brands and models.
It’s important to note, if your current model is more than 10 years old, it’s probably nearing its last legs. Considering the cost of labor, rather than repairing it, a more prudent financial choice might be to just replace the water heater.
In Santa Clara, common water heater repairs and maintenance include:
Fast Water Heater Company frequently partners with utility companies around Santa Clara to offer savings on more energy efficient water heating solutions, in the form of rebates.
These rebates are great because the water heaters utilize energy more efficiently, and save you money as a result.
Check below for water heater specials and rebates in the greater Santa Clara area:
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Water Heater Rebates
*Tankless water heaters do not qualify
Learn more about PGE Rebates!
