Tankless Water Heater in Buckeye, AZ

Signs tankless may suit your Buckeye home

• A growing household keeps running the tank dry
• The original builder-grade tank is aging and you'd rather replace it on your schedule
• You want hot water at a casita or far bathroom without a long wait
• An existing tankless unit has weaker flow than it did when new
• Error codes appear when the washer and a shower run together

Buckeye water, homes and permits

Buckeye relies almost entirely on groundwater pumped from the West Salt River Valley and Hassayampa sub-basins, delivered through separate city service areas such as Festival, Sundance and Sunora, Tartesso, Sun Valley and Valencia. The city's water quality report notes that naturally occurring dissolved solids like calcium and magnesium affect taste and hardness, though it doesn't print a hardness number. Those are the same minerals that coat the inside of a tankless heat exchanger, so isolation valves for flushing should be part of any install.

The housing stock is among the youngest in the Valley, with a median build year around 2010. Garages are usually roomy and an exterior wall is close by, which keeps vent runs short. The catch is the gas line: builders sized it for a tank, and a whole-house tankless burner can need more. Southwest Gas has served Buckeye under a city franchise for decades.

On permits, the city's residential checklist lists tankless water heater installs among the work that needs a building permit application through Development Services.

What affects the cost

• Gas line size from the meter and any upsizing needed
• Indoor unit with a wall vent versus an outdoor-rated model
• Condensing unit and its condensate drain
• A softener, scale filter or recirculation pump
• The permit application and inspection

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Buckeye. Mention which part of the city you live in, the current heater's fuel and size, and how many bathrooms you have. The plumber usually submits the permit to Development Services, 530 East Monroe Avenue (623-349-6200). If you ever smell gas, leave the house first, then call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020 from a safe distance.