Tankless Water Heaters in Santa Barbara

Sizing

By simultaneous flow (gallons per minute) and temperature rise

Gas line

Often needs upsizing from what fed a tank

Venting

Specific to the unit; condensing units drain condensate

Maintenance

Periodic descaling, especially with mineral-rich water

How tankless differs from a tank

A tank heater keeps a store of hot water ready. A tankless heater fires a burner or elements only when a tap opens, heating water as it passes. That means no standby losses and no running out, but there is a limit on how much hot water can flow at once.

Sizing

Tankless sizing is about flow, not storage. Add up what might run at the same time, such as two showers and a dishwasher, and the temperature rise needed from incoming water to the set point. A unit too small for the household will deliver lukewarm water when several fixtures run at once.

Gas, venting and power

• Gas line: gas tankless units need much more gas at peak than a tank heater, and the existing line often has to be upsized.
• Venting: each unit specifies its venting. Condensing units are very efficient and vent through plastic pipe, but produce acidic condensate that must drain properly.
• Electrical: gas units need a power outlet; whole-house electric tankless units need substantial electrical capacity.
• Bracing: California's water heater bracing law covers water heaters generally (California Health and Safety Code §19211 (water heater bracing)); wall-mounted tankless units are fastened to the structure.
• Permit: through the City of Santa Barbara inside city limits (City of Santa Barbara (building permits and inspections)) or the County elsewhere.

Minerals and descaling

Water on the South Coast can be mineral-rich depending on the supplier and source. Each water supplier publishes an annual water quality report; the City of Santa Barbara's Water Resources pages and the Goleta Water District site are places to start (City of Santa Barbara, Water Resources; Goleta Water District). Scale builds up in a tankless heat exchanger and reduces performance, so most manufacturers call for periodic descaling. Isolation valves make that job easier. See the mineral buildup guide.

Waiting for hot water

Tankless units do not shorten the wait for hot water to reach a far bathroom. A recirculation pump or loop can, at some energy cost. Ask whether it suits the house.

Sizing up the job: see what shapes a tankless scope on the estimate-factors page. It lists what moves the scope, never a price.

Further reading

• Water Heater Strapping and Earthquakes in California
• Hard Water and Mineral Buildup on the South Coast

Sources for this page: California Health and Safety Code §19211 (water heater bracing); Goleta Water District; City of Santa Barbara, Water Resources; City of Santa Barbara (building permits and inspections).