Water Heater Installation & Repair in Sonoma — Wine Country Expertise

Cold water coming out of the hot tap is a special kind of frustration.

Maybe the water heater gave up completely—no hot water at all. Maybe it’s making sounds like a popcorn machine or a dying whale. Maybe there’s water pooling underneath it and you’re not sure how bad it’s going to get.

Whatever’s happening, you need it fixed. Not tomorrow, not “sometime this week.”

You’re in Sonoma, and so are we. Call (707) 200-8350 and let us handle it. We’ll diagnose the problem, explain your options, and get your hot water back.

Our Process

1. Diagnose the actual problem — Not just the symptom, but the cause
2. Explain your options clearly — Repair vs. replace, with honest cost comparisons
3. Quote before we start — No surprises on the bill
4. Complete the work — Whether repair or installation, done right the first time
5. Test thoroughly — Temperature, pressure, connections, safety devices
6. Clean up completely — You won’t know we were there except for the working water heater

We don’t push replacements when repair makes sense. We don’t recommend band-aids when replacement is the smarter investment.

Tip: If your water heater is over 10 years old and needs a repair costing more than $400, replacement is usually the better value.

What We Repair

No hot water — Could be the thermocouple, gas valve, heating element, or thermostat. We diagnose and fix.

Not enough hot water — Sediment buildup, failing dip tube, or undersized unit. We identify the cause.

Strange noises — Rumbling, popping, or crackling usually means sediment buildup. A flush often solves it.

Leaks — From fittings, valves, or connections we can repair. From the tank itself, that’s replacement.

Pilot light won’t stay lit — Usually thermocouple or gas valve. Common repair, usually same-day.

Temperature fluctuations — Thermostat issues, sediment, or mixing valve problems.

Rusty water — Could be the anode rod (replaceable) or the tank itself (replacement time).

Tank Water Heaters

The traditional choice: a storage tank that keeps 30-80 gallons of water hot and ready.

Why they work well in Sonoma:

• Reliable technology with decades of track record
• Lower upfront cost than alternatives
• Work with existing gas lines and venting in most homes
• Sonoma’s moderate water hardness is manageable with annual flushing

Considerations:

• 8-12 year typical lifespan
• Standby energy loss (heating water you’re not using)
• Takes up floor space

Best for: Predictable hot water usage, budget-conscious homeowners, homes with existing tank setups.

Tankless Water Heaters

Wall-mounted units that heat water on demand—no storage tank, no standby loss.

Why they work well in Sonoma:

• Endless hot water for larger households or guest situations
• 20+ year lifespan with proper maintenance
• Space savings in smaller homes or tight utility areas
• 30% energy savings over tank heaters

Considerations:

• Higher upfront cost
• May require gas line upgrade for adequate BTU supply
• Needs proper venting (often different from tank venting)
• Sonoma’s water hardness requires annual descaling

Best for: High hot water demand, space constraints, long-term efficiency focus.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Extract heat from ambient air to heat water—2-3x more efficient than standard tanks.

Why they work well in Sonoma:

• Sonoma’s mild climate is ideal—these units struggle below 40°F, which is rare here
• Significant energy savings (up to 70% reduction)
• Qualify for substantial rebates (Sonoma Clean Power, federal tax credits)
• Bonus: they dehumidify the space around them

Considerations:

• Need space around them for air circulation
• Higher upfront cost (offset by rebates and savings)
• Slightly slower recovery than gas units

Best for: Efficiency-focused homeowners, those with garage or basement installation space.

Valley of the Moon Water District

Most Sonoma homes are served by Valley of the Moon Water District. The water has moderate mineral content—not extremely hard, but enough to cause sediment buildup over time.

What this means for your water heater:

• Sediment accumulates at the bottom of tank water heaters
• Buildup reduces efficiency (your heater works harder to heat through the sediment layer)
• Rumbling or popping sounds indicate significant buildup
• Annual flushing extends tank life and maintains efficiency

Tip: If your water heater is making noise, a sediment flush is the first thing to try. It’s inexpensive and often solves the problem.

Properties on Private Wells

Some Sonoma Valley properties—especially estates and rural homes—are on private wells rather than VOMWD water.

Well water quality varies dramatically:

• Some wells produce soft, clean water
• Others have high mineral content, iron, or sulfur
• Hard well water accelerates sediment buildup and shortens water heater life

If you’re on a well and your water heaters seem to fail faster than expected, water quality is likely a factor. Testing and treatment options exist—we can discuss what makes sense for your situation.

Plaza-Area Homes: Historic Infrastructure

The homes surrounding Sonoma Plaza are among the oldest in wine country. Water heater installation in these homes often involves additional considerations:

• Undersized gas lines that were adequate for 1920s appliances but struggle with modern water heaters
• Outdated venting that doesn’t meet current code for efficient units
• Tight utility spaces that limit equipment options
• No expansion tank (now required on closed-loop systems)

We work in historic Sonoma regularly and know how to navigate these challenges while respecting the home’s character.

The Springs: Multi-Unit Considerations

Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs, and Agua Caliente have denser housing than other parts of Sonoma. Water heater service in The Springs often involves:

• Shared gas infrastructure in multi-unit buildings
• Undersized water heaters struggling to serve multiple units
• Deferred maintenance in some rental properties
• Access challenges in tight utility closets

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or property manager, we can help you understand your options.

Available Incentives

• Sonoma Clean Power rebates — Up to $700 back on heat pump water heaters (up to $10,000 for CARE/FERA customers)
• Federal tax credits — Up to $2,000 per year for qualifying heat pump water heaters
• TECH Clean California — State incentives for heat pump water heaters
• Switch Is On incentive finder — Find all available rebates for your situation

We track what’s available and help you claim every dollar you’re entitled to.

Annual Operating Costs

Approximate annual costs to run different water heater types in Sonoma:

• Gas tank: $300-500/year
• Electric tank: $400-600/year
• Tankless gas: $200-350/year
• Heat pump: $150-300/year

Higher upfront costs for efficient systems often pay back within 3-5 years through energy savings.

Installation Defects We Often Find

Not every water heater was installed correctly. We regularly find:

• Missing cold water shutoff valve — Every water heater should have one
• T&P valve plugged or capped — Extremely dangerous; the valve prevents explosions
• No expansion tank — Required on closed-loop systems
• Improper venting — Can put carbon monoxide in your home
• Missing drip leg on gas line — Protects your burner from debris
• No seismic strapping — California code requires earthquake straps

These aren’t cosmetic issues—they’re safety and code violations. Our installations include all required components.

Sonoma Neighborhoods We Serve

• Historic Sonoma Plaza area
• Boyes Hot Springs
• Fetters Hot Springs
• Agua Caliente
• Sonoma Valley estates
• Glen Ellen
• Kenwood
• Rural Sonoma Valley properties