The housing
Much of Sunny Hills was built in the postwar decades, and many homes date from the 1950s and 1960s, with later remodels and some newer construction mixed in. Rolling streets and mature trees give the area its character. Homes vary from single-story ranch layouts to larger hillside houses, so do not assume your neighbor's setup matches yours.
In many original homes the water heater sits in the garage with a roof flue, or in an interior closet. Either location shapes a tankless conversion: a garage often allows a short side-wall vent, while an interior closet may need a longer vent route and careful attention to combustion air and condensate drainage.
Typical starting points
- Common era
- Postwar, with many 1950s and 1960s homes
- Heater location
- Garage or interior closet
- Supply pipes
- Copper common; galvanized in some older homes
- Foundations
- Many on slab; some hillside homes differ
- Sewer laterals
- Older homes often have cast-iron or clay laterals
What that means for tankless
| Local feature | Tankless consideration |
|---|---|
| Original gas piping sized for a tank | Have the line and total load checked before choosing a unit |
| Galvanized supply lines in some homes | Rust and debris can clog the unit's inlet filter; ask about replacing connections |
| Interior closet heaters | Vent route, combustion air and condensate drain need planning |
| Larger homes with distant bathrooms | Consider recirculation or a second unit |
| Hard water from the city supply | Plan service valves and a flushing schedule |
Trees and sewer laterals
Mature trees are part of what makes Sunny Hills attractive, and their roots are a well-known cause of trouble in older cast-iron and clay sewer laterals. A tankless install does not usually involve the sewer, but a condensing unit's condensate drain and the relief valve discharge both need somewhere to go. If your drains are slow or backing up, sort that out first, and keep people away from any sewage.
Who to contact
- Water service and water quality questions: the City of Fullerton water utility
- Gas meter or service questions: SoCalGas
- Permit questions for heater, gas or vent work: the City of Fullerton building department
- Sewer lateral responsibility: check with the city about where the owner's part ends
- Contractor license checks: cslb.ca.gov
Common questions
Do all Sunny Hills homes need a new gas line for tankless?
No. It depends on each home's pipe size, run length and appliances. A plumber has to check.
Is the water in Sunny Hills hard?
Fullerton's supply is a blend of local groundwater and imported water and is hard, so plan for flushing.
Can a tankless unit go in an interior closet?
Often, if venting, combustion air and drainage requirements can be met. The manual and a plumber decide.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.