Installing a water heater is more than setting a tank on the floor. The type, the size, the venting and the location all affect efficiency and safety, and the work is covered by permit rules in Lompoc. If your heater has already failed, start on the replacement page, and if you are planning ahead, this is the right one.
Call (805) 249-7135 any time. The line is open 24/7, and same-day appointments are offered when available. Tell us the household size and where the current heater sits.
Choose the type that fits the house
| Type | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gas tank | Homes with gas service and a garage or utility closet | Needs a vent and a correctly sized gas line |
| Electric tank | Homes without gas, or small spaces | Needs a dedicated circuit and no vent |
| Heat pump hybrid | Garages or large rooms with open air | Uses less electricity and needs clearance and a drain |
| Gas tankless | Space-saving and high demand households | Needs a larger gas line and special venting |
| Electric tankless | Small point-of-use demand | Needs heavy electrical service |
Not sure which? Tell us how many people shower in the morning and which appliances run together. That decides capacity more than square footage does.
Sizing, location and venting
A four-person household is usually comfortable with a 40 to 50 gallon tank, while a larger family or a big soaking tub may need more. A heater sized too small runs out. One sized too large wastes heat.
Location matters for service access. Garages are common in Lompoc homes and give the easiest installs, but gas units need combustion air and a safe distance from stored items. Closets and attics need proper venting and a drain pan with a line to a safe discharge. Moving a heater means new gas, water and vent lines, which is a larger job than a swap.
Planning a water heater install?
Call any hour. Same-day appointments are offered when available.
Permit, code and earthquake strapping
The Lompoc building division says a permit is needed before work on plumbing, gas and mechanical systems, and that replacing systems counts. The counter is open weekdays, and you can call it to confirm what your project needs. We pull the permit where required and schedule the inspection.
California Health and Safety Code section 19211 requires new and replacement water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped, at a minimum in line with the California Plumbing Code. The 2025 edition of Title 24 has an effective date of January 1, 2026. We strap every heater we install.
Hard water and your new heater
The City of Lompoc's 2025 water quality report lists average hardness near 293 ppm, or about 17 grains per gallon, with total dissolved solids near 817 ppm. Scale from water that hard shortens the life of any heater, and tank units benefit from a yearly flush.
If you want to protect a new heater, ask about a softener or scale control at install, since fitting it at the same time costs less than adding it later. Our water softener and filtration page explains the options.
What a planned install looks like
Site visit or phone survey
We check the space, fuel, vent route, gas line and electrical panel.
Permit and scheduling
Permit pulled where required, with a date that suits you.
Install
Old unit removed, new unit set, connected, vented and strapped.
Test and walkthrough
Combustion and leak tests, temperature set and a shutoff walkthrough.
If your tank is already leaking, emergency replacement is the faster path.
What to do before the installer arrives
- Clear a path and the space around the old heater.
- Know where the gas shutoff and the cold water valve are.
- Do not run hot water once the old tank has been turned off to drain.
- Keep children and pets away from the work area.
- Ask for the new heater to be braced, anchored or strapped.
What affects the price of installation
You get a clear price before work starts. Insurance does not cover planned replacements. Call (805) 249-7135, and we also serve Santa Maria.
Installations follow the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, 2025 edition, effective January 1, 2026), which is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), and California Health and Safety Code section 19211 requires water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped. According to the City of Lompoc, replacing a system needs a permit.
Water Heater Installation questions, answered
The 24/7 line is open all hours, and you can book a planned install or ask for a same-day visit when availability allows.
A like-for-like tank swap is usually done in a few hours. Changing fuel, moving the unit or adding venting takes longer.
Lompoc's building division says replacing systems needs a permit. Confirm what your project needs at the counter. We handle the permit where required.
Often yes, but we cannot warranty the unit itself. Ask on the call.
Household size and peak demand decide it. A four-person home often fits a 40 to 50 gallon tank.
Yes. California requires new and replacement water heaters to be strapped, and we include it on every install.