Water Heater Replacement in Tempe, AZ

How hard is Tempe water on a new tank?

Harder than many people expect, and it varies. The City of Tempe Water Utilities Division mixes Salt River Project surface water, city wells and Central Arizona Project water, treated at the Johnny G. Martinez and South Tempe plants. Its water quality report lists an average hardness of 10.9 grains per gallon but a range from 9.5 up to 29. Homes at the hard end of that range see sediment pile up quickly, which shortens tank life and makes electric elements fail sooner. A yearly flush helps, and a softener is worth considering if you are on the harder side.

Will an older Tempe home complicate the swap?

It can. Tempe is an older inner-ring city, with a median build year of about 1983. In houses of that age a plumber may find a corroded shutoff valve, old galvanized nipples on the heater, a vent that no longer meets code, or a heater squeezed into a closet that was sized for a smaller tank. Tempe's homeowner permit guide also notes that leak repairs are exempt only when they do not involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures, which is a hint that heater work touching those parts is likely to need permits. Ask the plumber to cover any permit in the quote.

What should I do if I smell gas near the heater?

Southwest Gas supplies natural gas in Tempe. A gas smell near any appliance means leave the house first, without switching lights or appliances on or off. Once outside, call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020. Do not go back in until you are told it is safe. A plumber can repair or replace gas piping and connectors afterward, but the leak call comes first.

If the problem is water instead, such as a valve that will not close, Tempe Water Utilities keeps a water emergency line at 480-350-2837.

A note on Tempe's mix of homes

North Tempe has denser housing, including condos and rentals near the ASU campus, where heaters often sit in interior closets with tight access. South Tempe is mostly single-family homes with garage installs. Mention which you have when you call, since access affects time and price.