Straight answers
about water heaters.

Yes. We install and repair water heaters — gas, electric, heat pump, and tankless — and nothing else. That specialization is what allows our vans to be stocked for the failures that actually happen and our technicians to have seen almost every failure mode before.

We serve the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay, Peninsula, Tri-Valley, and South Bay), Sacramento and Placer Counties, and San Diego County. Call us to confirm coverage for your specific city — we're adding coverage regularly.

Yes. We're trained on and recognized by the major brands we install: A.O. Smith, Navien, Bradford White, Noritz, Rheem, and American Standard, among others. Every technician is on Harris payroll — no day labor, no subcontractors.

Yes. California Plumbing Code requires a permit for water heater replacement in every city. We apply for it then send the permit to the homeowner. The homeowner will then schedule the inspection with their city.

Gas tank (atmospheric and power-vented), electric heat pump (HPWH), tankless (gas and electric), and traditional electric tank. We carry all major brands and most sizes, and most vans are stocked for same-day installation.

Gas tank: Cost-effective, reliable, available same or next day. Best for homes staying on gas and wanting the simplest replacement.

Tankless: Compact, endless hot water, long service life (15–20 years). Good efficiency, no storage tank to fail or corrode.

Heat pump (HPWH): Most efficient option (3.86+ UEF), qualifies for up to $3,100 in TECH Clean California rebates plus a federal tax credit. Runs on electricity — the recommended replacement for Bay Area homes after the 2028 gas rule takes effect.

It depends on household size and usage. A general guide: 1–2 people → 30–40 gallon tank; 3–4 people → 50 gallon; 5+ people → 75+ gallon or tankless. Heat pump models in the 65–80 gallon range are now the most common replacement for Bay Area households because of their efficiency and rebate eligibility. We size the unit correctly at the time of the estimate — there's no guessing.

Starting January 1, 2028, BAAQMD Regulation 9, Rule 6 prohibits new gas water heater installations in the nine Bay Area counties. Existing gas units and repairs are unaffected — you're not required to replace a working heater. The rule only applies when you need a new unit. If you have a gas water heater that's aging, now is a good time to assess your options before the 2028 deadline. See the full 2028 rule breakdown →

Not always. Many heat pump water heaters (HPWH) run on a standard 240V/30A circuit — if you already have that available, no panel work is needed. Plug-in 120V models also exist for smaller households and require only a standard outlet. We assess your panel during the home visit and tell you exactly what, if anything, needs to be upgraded before installation.

Yes. Heat pump water heaters qualify for up to $3,100 in TECH Clean California rebates (applied as a direct invoice reduction) and a federal 30% tax credit up to $2,000. Some utilities offer additional rebates on top of those. We identify what you qualify for at the time of the estimate. Learn more about rebates and the 2028 rule →

Yes. We assess the job and give you a complete price before any work starts. For straightforward replacements we can often quote over the phone. For more complex situations — panel assessment, unusual venting, confined space installations — we do a brief on-site visit first.

Flat rate. Every line item is priced to include parts and labor — you know the total cost before work begins. Whether the job takes 45 minutes or 3 hours, the price you're quoted is the price you pay.

No. All pricing is reviewed and agreed to before work starts. If something unexpected comes up elsewhere in the plumbing system, we'll quote it separately before touching it — you decide whether to proceed.

Installations carry a 1–3 year labor warranty depending on the package. Repairs are covered for 90 days. Manufacturer warranties on the unit itself are applied on top of the labor warranty.

If the issue is within our warranty period and related to our work, there's no charge. If the issue is unrelated to what we did, we'll diagnose it and quote the fix separately before doing anything.

Call us at 877-946-8426 — that's the fastest way to get on the schedule. You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We respond same business day.

For most service areas we can schedule same day or next day. Our vans are stationed regionally and stocked for common failures, so we're not driving from a central depot each morning. When you call, we give you a real arrival window — not an all-day guess.

No. We don't run 24/7, because we want each technician to arrive ready to do the job well — not at the end of a 16-hour shift. For urgent situations we prioritize same-day and next-day scheduling whenever possible.

Gas tank water heaters typically last 10–15 years. Electric tank units run 10–15 years as well. Tankless systems last 15–20 years with proper maintenance. Heat pump water heaters are relatively new, but manufacturers project 15+ year lifespans. Hard water, deferred maintenance, and installation quality all affect actual lifespan.

A rough guide: if the unit is under 8 years old and the repair is straightforward (thermocouple, element, gas control valve), repair usually makes sense. If it's over 10 years old, has a corroded tank, or the repair cost approaches 50% of replacement cost, replacement is typically the better investment — especially if you're in a Bay Area county where the 2028 gas rule affects your next installation. We give you an honest assessment when we're on site, not a sales pitch.

For tankless systems we offer descaling and maintenance service — scale buildup is a real performance issue and ignoring it shortens the unit's life. For tank systems, we're honest: in our experience, maintenance contracts rarely extend a tank's life enough to justify the cost. We'll tell you if yours needs attention when we're on site.

We take it with us. Old units go back to our warehouse and are picked up weekly for recycling — they don't end up in a landfill.