Tankless Water Heater in Sun City West, AZ

Signs it may be time

• The tank is leaking, rusting or making popping noises
• You'd like to stop heating a full tank while you're away for months
• Hot water takes too long to reach the far bathroom
• A tankless unit you already own shows error codes or weaker flow
• You're remodeling a laundry or garage and want the space

Local conditions in Sun City West

Del Webb built Sun City West on about 11,000 acres west of Sun City, finishing in 1997. It's unincorporated, with no city government, and its residents skew older, with a median age around 74. EPCOR, a private regulated utility, serves about 15,600 connections here with groundwater from the West Salt River Valley sub-basin and reports hardness of 3 to 11 grains per gallon. That is on the moderate side for the Valley, so scale builds more slowly than in harder areas, but a flush on the maker's schedule still protects the heat exchanger.

Permits come from Maricopa County Planning and Development. The County no longer requires a permit to replace an existing water heater installed to the manufacturer's specifications, though you can request one for an inspection. New gas lines are a separate permit. We didn't confirm the community's gas utility on an official page, so rely on your bill.

What affects the cost

• Unit size. Smaller households can often choose a smaller, less costly unit or a point-of-use model.
• Fuel. Gas units may need a bigger line and a new vent; electric units may need new circuits.
• Location. Staying in the old tank's spot is simplest.
• Recirculation. Adds cost but shortens the wait for hot water.
• Accessibility. Wall-mounted units with front controls are easier to manage than a tank's bottom drain valve.

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Sun City West. Share the heater's fuel, location and age, how many people live in the home and whether you leave for part of the year. The plumber can recommend a size, explain upkeep in plain terms and walk through the County's optional inspection. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 and your gas utility from outside; propane users call 911 and their propane supplier.