Tank Water Heaters
Bradford White authorized dealer. Straightforward installation, California code compliant, done right.
Bradford White
We stock and install Bradford White water heaters — made in America, backed by a strong warranty, and built for longevity. In our experience pulling failed units out of Inland Empire homes, Bradford White holds up better than the big-box brands, which is why we stand behind them.
Available in 40, 50, and 75-gallon gas models. Power vent and atmospheric vent configurations. We carry the right unit for your home's setup.
Tank vs. Tankless — Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Tank (Bradford White) | Tankless (Navien NPE) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Hot Water Supply | Limited to tank capacity | Unlimited, on demand |
| Energy Efficiency | Standard (0.59–0.67 UEF) | High (up to 0.96 UEF) |
| Lifespan | 8–12 years | 20+ years with maintenance |
| Installation Complexity | Straightforward replacement | May require gas/vent upgrades |
| Annual Maintenance | Annual flush + anode rod | Annual descaling (IE hard water) |
| Best For | Budget installs, simple replacements | Long-term savings, larger families |
Repair Makes Sense When...
- Unit is less than 6 years old
- It's a single component failure (thermocouple, element, valve)
- Repair cost is less than 40% of replacement
- No rust or sediment buildup in the tank
Replace Instead When...
- Unit is 10+ years old
- Rusty water or sediment in hot water
- Tank is leaking (not the connections — the tank itself)
- Repeated repairs in the past 2 years
What Size Do You Need?
Single occupancy or couples. Adequate for moderate morning routines.
Most family homes. Handles back-to-back showers with some margin.
Large families or homes with heavy hot water demand — big soaking tubs, multiple simultaneous showers.
These are starting points. Usage patterns, dishwasher frequency, and home layout all factor in. We size it properly during the quote visit.
California Code Requirements
Every installation includes these — no exceptions, no shortcuts:
Maintenance — What You Should Know
Annual Flush
Sediment from IE hard water accumulates at the bottom of the tank. Annual flushing removes it, improves efficiency, and extends the tank's life. Takes about 30 minutes — we can do it during any service call.
Anode Rod Replacement
The anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod that prevents the tank from rusting from the inside. Replace every 3–5 years. When it's gone, the tank corrodes — and you won't know until you have rusty water or a leak.
Inland Empire failure modes
Inland Empire hard water is the main thing that kills tanks early here. Minerals drop out of the water and settle as sediment on the tank floor, and over five years that layer can cut your effective hot water capacity by 15 to 25 percent if nobody flushes the tank. The anode rod takes a beating too. A water heater in the IE basin burns through its anode rod 30 to 40 percent faster than the same unit on the coast, and once that rod is gone the tank lining starts corroding from the inside. Sediment also plugs the T&P relief valve so it can't do its job, and it fouls the thermostat, which is why you end up with water that's either scalding or barely warm. Brad sees most tank failures at year 8 to 10, not the 12 years the marketing numbers promise. Water hardness moves that timeline up.
California code on tank installs
An inspector looking at a tank install in the IE is checking a handful of specific things. Two earthquake straps, one across the upper third of the tank and one across the lower third, anchored into studs. A T&P valve discharge line run down to within a few inches of the floor and out to the exterior or a floor drain. An expansion tank on the cold inlet if there's a pressure-reducing valve on the supply, since a closed system has nowhere to send the pressure when water heats and expands. A seismic shutoff valve on the gas line. For closet and interior installs, proper combustion air ventilation so the burner gets enough oxygen. We handle the permit when the AHJ requires one, and Corona, Riverside, and San Bernardino county each run slightly different inspection schedules, so we book the inspection to match whichever one your address falls under.
Need a New Water Heater?
Bradford White units in stock. Same-day and next-day installation available.