Water Heater Service in Los Altos
Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Los Altos, CA
Tank, tankless and heat pump water heater repair and replacement for Los Altos homeowners, from our shop in San Jose. This page covers the local side: the City's emailed permit applications and final inspection checklist, very hard Cal Water groundwater, the 2025 electric readiness code, City and SVCE heat pump rebates and the Air District's zero-NOx rule.
- Google 4.9130+ reviews
- Licensed C-36 · C-20 · ACSLB License #1101278
- 1-year labor warranty24/7 service since 1986
Water Heater Services for Los Altos Homes
- Water heater repair and replacementNo hot water, leaks, noise
- Gas water heatersRepair and like-for-like replacement
- Tankless water heatersRepair, descaling, installation
- Heat pump water heatersEfficient electric hot water
- Leak detectionLeaks around the heater or lines
- Gas line servicesSupply lines and shutoff valves
Water Heaters in Los Altos: What's Different
Los Altos handles water heater permits by email, draws much of its water from very hard wells and adds its own rebates on top of SVCE's when funds allow.
Permits by email
The City's residential permit application has boxes for a water heater replacement, a tankless unit, a new electric heater and a heat pump water heater. Applications go to the Building Division by email, not over an online portal.
Very hard groundwater
Cal Water's 2025 report puts its Los Altos Suburban groundwater at 305 ppm hardness on average, very hard on Cal Water's own scale, against 97 ppm for the Valley Water supply it blends in.
Pans that drain outside
The City's final inspection checklist calls for a drain pan under a water heater inside the house or attic, drained outdoors and not tied into a condensate or relief drain, plus 1-inch insulation on the first 5 feet of pipe.
Over 80 psi takes a regulator
The same checklist requires a pressure regulator wherever water pressure at the house is greater than 80 psi, so a pressure reading is worth taking when the heater is replaced.
City rebates being refilled
The City's heat pump rebates, added to SVCE's, were fully claimed. The Council approved new funding on October 13, with updates promised in November; SVCE's baseline rebates remain available.
Remodels make room for a heat pump
Under the City's 2025 energy code amendments, removing wall framing within 3 feet of a gas water heater means leaving space and a condensate drain for a future heat pump water heater.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Los Altos
Permits: application by email
Los Altos doesn’t issue water heater permits through an online portal. The Building Division (650-947-2752) takes the residential permit application, plans and supporting documents by email, and its eTRAKiT system covers only a few simple jobs, such as re-roofs. Some minor permits can be started at City Hall, where documents are scanned first.
The application’s plumbing section has check boxes for:
- water heater replacement and tankless units;
- a new electric or heat pump water heater;
- a new gas appliance, with a gas line diagram for any new gas line.
Work runs from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, never on Sundays or City holidays.
What final inspection looks for
The City has no stand-alone water heater handout. Its Residential Final Inspection Requirements checklist, which notes that not every item applies to every job, includes these for water heaters and gas equipment:
- Drain pan: required for a heater inside the house or in an attic, with a drain sloped to the outside that doesn’t join a condensate or relief drain.
- Pipe insulation: 1-inch insulation on hot and cold pipes for the first 5 feet from the heater.
- Gas connections: shutoff valves, sediment traps and flexible connectors at gas equipment.
- Garages: a bollard for equipment in the vehicle path.
- Pressure: a regulator where pressure at the house exceeds 80 psi.
- Attics: a switched light, a service outlet and a 24-inch path to the equipment.
State law, Health and Safety Code § 19211, adds earthquake bracing for every residential water heater, new or existing.
Cal Water’s very hard groundwater
California Water Service supplies Los Altos through its Los Altos Suburban district, blending local wells with treated Valley Water. Its 2025 report shows:
- Groundwater: 305 ppm hardness on average (137 to 440 ppm) and 478 ppm dissolved solids.
- Valley Water: about 97 ppm hardness and 261 ppm dissolved solids.
Cal Water rates 300 ppm and up as very hard. That much mineral settles as sediment in a tank and as scale in a tankless heat exchanger, so flushing and descaling belong on a schedule here. Cal Water also reports no known lead service lines. See water heater services.
City and SVCE heat pump water heater rebates
Los Altos buys its electricity through Silicon Valley Clean Energy, and the City has funded rebates on top of SVCE’s. The City’s money was fully claimed; the Council approved replenishing it on October 13, and the City says to check back in November. SVCE’s baseline Home Rebates remain open for a heat pump water heater that:
- holds 40 gallons or more and replaces a gas or electric resistance heater;
- has a UEF of 3.3 or higher, unless it’s a 120-volt or split system, and meets NEEA Tier 3;
- includes a thermostatic mixing valve, with the old gas unit removed and the permit documented.
Reserve before installation. SVCE’s Emergency Water Heater Replacement program handles failed gas heaters through its partner contractors. See heat pump water heaters and SVCE heat pump rebates.
Electric readiness and the zero-NOx rule
Los Altos adopted the 2025 Energy Code with local amendments on October 28, 2025 (Municipal Code ch. 12.16). For single-family remodels and additions:
- Framing within 3 feet of a gas or propane water heater removed or replaced: a 2.5 by 2.5 by 7 foot space for a future heat pump water heater, with a gravity condensate drain or a pump outlet.
- Circuits within 3 feet of the gas heater, when the work needs an electrical permit: a 240-volt-ready circuit or a labeled pathway.
- Outdoor gas appliances: adding or extending a gas line to a pool or spa heater means conduit and space for a future electric equivalent.
Repairs are exempt, and a plain replacement isn’t covered. The Air District’s Rule 9-6, as adopted, requires zero NOx from gas water heaters under 75,000 BTU/hr manufactured after January 1, 2027; its Board votes November 4, 2026 on moving that to 2028. See Bay Area zero-NOx rules.
Sources
City of Los Altos: Building · Forms & Handouts · Residential permit application · Residential final inspection requirements · Residential reach codes checklist · Residential building electrification rebates · Heat pump rebates · Municipal Code: ch. 12.16, Energy Code. Cal Water: 2025 Los Altos Suburban water quality report. Silicon Valley Clean Energy: Home Rebates · Appliance Specifications (April 2026) · Emergency Water Heater Replacement. State of California: Health and Safety Code § 19211. Bay Area Air District: Building Appliances Rule Implementation · Rules 9-4 and 9-6 Building Appliances. Checked October 2026.
Water Heater Prices in Los Altos
Most repairs are quoted as a fixed price before we start, so you approve the cost before any work begins. These are typical prices for common jobs in our service area.
| Service | Typical price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Tank water heater | $1,200–$2,000+ |
| Gas water heater | $1,500–$4,500+ |
| Electric water heater | $1,600–$4,000+ |
| Tankless water heater | $1,800–$6,000+ |
| Heat pump water heater | $2,500–$6,000+ |
| Inspection feeWaived for service plan members | $59 |
Prices are installed, before any current special, and depend on access, materials and what we find.
In Los Altos, very hard groundwater shortens the time between flushes and descaling, and an older install may need a drain pan piped outdoors, pipe insulation or a pressure regulator to pass final inspection. A tankless conversion that adds gas piping needs a gas line diagram with the permit application.
Get a free estimate →We hired CPI for a complete house repipe and an addition of a water recirculation system. They did an excellent job. The workers were friendly, they cleaned up after themselves, they didn’t hesitate to ask if they had any questions and we were assigned a project manager to ensure that the job went smoothly. They handled permits and inspections very well. Everything went smoothly. They were definitely worth the money. I wish all of our home improvement jobs had gone this well. I definitely recommend them.
Tanja F.Yelp review
I called CPI Plumbing after my daughter flushed some snack wrappers down the toilet and the toilet was not flushing properly. I also tried to do it myself with a plunger and a snake, but it wasn’t working out and I probably wasn’t doing it right. When the plumber from CPI arrived, he was friendly and was confident he could fix our issue. He used specialized equipment specifically for toilet clogs, that also would not scratch the inside of the toilet bowl, and was able to clear the issue within 10 minutes. He also wore shoe covers inside the house and made sure to clean everything up before he left. The price was also very reasonable. Great service, great plumber, great value!
Marshall L.Google review
Danny fixed a broken flange before a water meter that had caused a huge water geyser. He was calm and put in a new flange quickly and effectively. Love working with Danny, who is skilled, knowledgeable, and friendly!
Julie Q.Google review
Current Specials
Save on your visit. Mention the offer when you book.
- Any Plumbing Service$50 OFFGet Offer: Any Plumbing ServiceLimit 1 per household. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Any Plumbing Service
- Sewer Line InspectionFREECamera inspectionGet Offer: Sewer Line InspectionLimit 1 per household. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Sewer Line Inspection
- Water Heater Installation$250 OFFGet Offer: Water Heater InstallationLimit 1 per household. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Water Heater Installation
- Second OpinionFREEAlready have a quote from another licensed plumber?Get Offer: Second OpinionFor customers with a quote from another licensed plumber. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Second Opinion
- 12-Month Financing0%Interest for 12 monthsGet Offer: 12-Month FinancingThrough Synchrony, subject to financing approval. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for 12-Month Financing
- Seniors, Teachers & Healthcare Workers5% OFFSeniors 65+, teachers and healthcare workersGet Offer: Seniors, Teachers & Healthcare WorkersFor seniors 65+, teachers and healthcare workers. Expires January 15, 2028. See details for Seniors, Teachers & Healthcare Workers
Water Heater Service in Los Altos FAQs
How do I get a water heater permit in Los Altos?
Yes. The City's residential building permit application lists water heater replacement, tankless, new electric and heat pump water heaters under plumbing work, and asks for a gas line diagram whenever new gas lines are added. Applications go to the Building Division by email (650-947-2752); hard copies aren't accepted, and the City's eTRAKiT portal handles only a few simple permits such as re-roofs. See water heater services.
How hard is the water in Los Altos?
Much of it is very hard. Cal Water's Los Altos Suburban district blends local groundwater with treated water bought from Valley Water. Its 2025 report shows groundwater hardness averaging 305 ppm, from 137 to 440 ppm, with 478 ppm of dissolved solids, and the Valley Water supply at about 97 ppm. Cal Water's own scale calls 300 ppm and up very hard and 75 to 150 ppm moderately hard. Scale builds quickly in tanks and on tankless heat exchangers on well water, so plan on regular flushing or descaling.
What will the inspector check on a new water heater in Los Altos?
The City has no separate water heater handout, but its residential final inspection checklist names several items: a drain pan for a heater inside the house or attic, with its drain sloped outside and kept separate from condensate and relief drains; 1-inch insulation on the first 5 feet of hot and cold pipe; shutoff valves, sediment traps and flexible connectors at gas equipment; a bollard where equipment sits in a garage's vehicle path; and a pressure regulator if pressure tops 80 psi. State law adds earthquake strapping.
Are Los Altos heat pump water heater rebates available right now?
SVCE's are. The City's added rebates were fully claimed, and its pages say the Council approved replenishing them on October 13, with program updates in November. SVCE's Home Rebates still cover a heat pump water heater of 40 gallons or more that replaces a gas or electric resistance unit, with a UEF of 3.3 or more (120-volt and split systems excepted), NEEA Tier 3, a thermostatic mixing valve and proof of permit. Reserve before installing. See SVCE heat pump rebates.
Do I have to switch to a heat pump water heater in Los Altos?
Not under City rules for a replacement. The all-electric reach code covers new homes and detached ADUs, and the 2025 electric readiness rules apply to remodels. The City's rebate page notes that the Air District will allow only zero-NOx residential water heaters for sale and installation starting in 2027. As adopted, Rule 9-6 applies to small gas water heaters manufactured after January 1, 2027; on November 4, 2026 the Air District Board votes on moving that to 2028. See Bay Area zero-NOx rules.
Is a tankless water heater a good fit for Los Altos water?
It can work, with maintenance. On groundwater near 300 ppm hardness, a tankless heat exchanger scales faster and needs descaling more often than on softer water. Adding gas piping means a gas line diagram with the permit, and SVCE's rebate doesn't cover tankless or instantaneous units, so compare it with a heat pump tank. See tankless water heaters and heat pump water heaters.
How much does water heater repair and replacement cost in Los Altos?
Most jobs are quoted as a fixed price before we start, so you know the cost up front. Typical prices: tank water heater $1,200–$2,000+; gas water heater $1,500–$4,500+; electric water heater $1,600–$4,000+; tankless water heater $1,800–$6,000+; heat pump water heater $2,500–$6,000+. The inspection fee is $59, waived for service plan members.
Need water heater service in Los Altos? Call us.
- CSLB License #1101278 (opens CSLB in a new tab): C-36 Plumbing · C-20 HVAC · A General Engineering
- 1-year labor warranty on our work
- BBB A+ Accredited Business (opens BBB in a new tab)
- Technicians trained and certified: NASSCO PACP, MACP and LACP · Rheem heat pump · Noritz Level 3 tankless · OSHA safety
- Member of IAPMO, NASSCO, BOMA, IFMA · Se habla español