Fast Water Heater Company services all of Sunnyvale, California. If you’ve woken up to the surprise of a leaking hot water heater or a cold shower, we guarantee same-day service, if you call by noon. 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 Sunnyvale 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 unit. (This info can be found on a large sticker usually on the side of the water storage tank.)
Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale?”
Currently, Sunnyvale does require 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, Sunnyvale 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 – Regulations state that most water heaters cannot be located in areas such as closets, bathrooms or bedrooms (unless it’s used exclusively for the water heater). This prevents accidents as well as human contact with slight amounts of CO (Carbon Monoxide) that escapes from gas heater vents. Sunnyvale enforces this regulation.
Earthquake Straps – Water heaters require certified earthquake straps on the bottom and top thirds of your water heater. Sunnyvale enforces this regulation for your safety.
Venting – Since Carbon Monoxide(CO) is produced by Gas combustion water heaters they require proper venting. The size of the water heater determines the size of the vent. If the vent material gets hot there must be good clearance from flammable or combustible areas. This requirement is enforced by Sunnyvale.
Pans and Drains – If your water heater is positioned in an interior location or on a built in platform damage could occur from leakage. The CA Plumbing Code requires a pan under the water heater with a drain line to the exterior. Sunnyvale enforces this requirement. However, CPVC, which is an approved material for all kinds of drain lines (and less expensive than copper) is not allowed to be used by the city of Sunnyvale.
Pressure and Temperature Relief Drain (“P&T Drain”) to the Exterior – To prevent accidental scalding while the P&T drain is discharging, the CA Plumbing Code requires your P&T relief to be run to the exterior. Sunnyvale currently enforces this. In cases where piping to the exterior is not possible, Sunnyvale will not allow the use of a Watts 210 valve as a substitute to draining to the exterior.
Dedicated Water Shutoff – If your water heater needs servicing a dedicated water shutoff allows you to turn the water to the water heater off without having to turn off the water to the rest of the house. This code item is actively enforced in Sunnyvale.
Pipe Insulation – Pipes located in unconditioned space are required to be insulated in Sunnyvale.
Bonding – Your gas and water pipes are required to be grounded by the California Electric Code. Bonding the pipes with 6 awg wire and clamps effectively grounds all the pipes. This is a requirement because plumbing is regularly built near electrical wiring. If the wires degrade, they could energize your pipes. Inspectors in Sunnyvale are currently requiring this.
Sediment Traps – Sediment traps are found on gas lines running to your water heater. The trap catches moisture and debris that gets into the line preventing it from entering the combustion chamber of the water heater. Currently, Sunnyvale actively enforces this.
With more than two decades experience, we have installed countless water heaters in single-family homes, condos, apartments and townhouses all over Sunnyvale. 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 Sunnyvale.
We look forward to helping you. 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 water heater replacement or installation in Sunnyvale.
Even in Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale, common water heater repairs and maintenance include:
Fast Water Heater Company frequently partners with utility companies around Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale area:
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Water Heater Rebates
*Tankless water heaters do not qualify
Learn more about PGE Rebates!
