Energy Costs
Energy Costs | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Oakdale
Tired of running out of hot water or watching your energy bills climb every month? HEP’s Energy Costs Plumbing team in Oakdale specializes in modern, high-efficiency solutions that heat water on demand instead of wasting money keeping a big tank warm all day. With a professional tankless water heater install, you’ll enjoy endless hot showers, free up valuable space, and see real savings on utilities—often up to 40% compared to traditional systems.
From the moment you call, our licensed Oakdale plumbers handle everything: sizing the perfect unit, removing the old tank, upgrading gas or electric connections, and tidying up before we leave. We back every installation with rock-solid warranties and 24/7 local support, so you can relax knowing your home’s comfort and efficiency are in expert hands. Reach out today and discover how easy it is to cut costs and boost comfort with HEP.
FAQs
How does a tankless water heater help lower energy costs compared to a traditional storage-tank model?
Traditional heaters keep 40-50 gallons of water hot around the clock, so they repeatedly cycle on even when no one is using hot water. A tankless unit only fires its burner or heating elements when you open a tap, eliminating standby heat loss. In most Oakdale homes this translates to 25-40 % lower natural-gas use (or 8-15 % for electric models), which can shave $75–$150 a year off utility bills depending on usage patterns.
Is a tankless water heater a good choice for Oakdale’s climate and water quality?
Yes. Oakdale’s mild winters mean inlet-water temperatures seldom fall below 50 °F, so a tankless unit doesn’t need to work as hard as it would in colder regions, improving efficiency and flow rates. Our area’s moderately hard water (about 10–12 grains per gallon) is well within manufacturer tolerances; a simple annual descaling prevents mineral buildup and preserves efficiency.
What size tankless unit do I need for my Oakdale home?
Sizing is based on simultaneous demand, not tank volume. Add the flow rates of fixtures you expect to use at once—for example, a shower (2 gpm) plus a kitchen sink (1.5 gpm) equals 3.5 gpm. Then match that total to the temperature rise required (about 70 °F in Oakdale). For most three-bedroom homes a 7–9 gpm gas unit or a 27 kW electric unit covers two showers running together. Our technicians perform a free site assessment and load calculation to make sure you get the right model—oversizing wastes money; undersizing causes lukewarm water.
How long does installation take and will my water be shut off?
A standard replacement—removing the old tank, running new gas/electric and vent lines, mounting the tankless unit, and performing code inspections—usually takes 6–8 hours. Your water will be off for roughly 2–3 hours during the tie-in. We schedule work to minimize disruption, and you’ll have water back the same day. Larger retrofits that require upsizing the gas line or adding a 240-V circuit may extend the job to two days.
Are there rebates or incentives available in Oakdale or the state of California?
Yes. PG&E typically offers $300–$600 rebates for ENERGY STAR® certified gas tankless units. Electric heat-pump water heaters can qualify for up to $3,100 in state TECH Clean California incentives. In addition, the federal Inflation Reduction Act provides a 30 % tax credit (up to $600 for gas units, $2,000 for electric heat-pump models). We handle all paperwork and will apply rebates as instant discounts whenever possible.
What maintenance does a tankless water heater require and how does it affect operating costs?
Annual maintenance involves flushing the heat exchanger with a vinegar or citric-acid solution to dissolve scale, cleaning the inlet filter, and checking venting and gas-pressure settings. The service takes about an hour and costs $120-$150. Keeping the unit clean maintains peak efficiency, prevents costly coil damage, and preserves the manufacturer’s 12- to 15-year warranty. Over its lifetime, proper maintenance adds about 2 ¢ per hot-water gallon, but that’s more than offset by energy savings and the longer service life compared to a 10-year tank heater.