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Bowen Plumbing LLC

Tankless Water Heater Installation, Maintenance & Repair : Santa Rosa, Windsor & Healdsburg

Also serving Cloverdale, Geyserville & Fulton.

Tankless water heaters are built for people who hate running out of hot water. But to work right, they demand correct gas sizing, venting, and maintenance. Bowen Plumbing specializes in Navien and Rinnai systems. We handle everything from tank-to-tankless retrofits to troubleshooting error codes and performing annual descaling to fight local hard water.

Five Star Rating on Google

5 Star Rating on Google

Common “call now” signs

  • No hot water
  • Error codes or shutdowns
  • Temperature swings or cold bursts
  • Loud “kettle” sounds
  • Low flow that started recently

What a tankless water heater does

A tankless unit heats water on demand instead of storing it in a tank. When everything is sized and installed properly, you get long, consistent hot showers, more space compared to a bulky tank, strong efficiency in many homes, and cleaner temperature control with modern safety features.

It’s like switching from a bathtub to a fast-moving river. Great when the channel is built right, frustrating when it isn’t.

Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

  • Endless hot water for showers, laundry, and dishes

  • Better energy efficiency compared to many older tank-style units

  • Space-saving design that frees up garages, closets, and utility rooms

  • Long service life with proper maintenance

  • Cleaner operation with fewer “standby heat” losses

Recommended High-Capacity Systems

NPE-A2-CoverON-NV.webp

Navien NPE-240A2 (Advanced)

The top tier solution for high demand households. This unit operates as a silent partner in your home, managing hot water delivery with a built-in recirculation pump and buffer tank. It eliminates the cold water sandwich effect and delivers heat to your fixtures quickly.

  • Supports up to 4 simultaneous showers in warmer climates.
  • Built-in ComfortFlow technology for rapid delivery.
  • Ultra-high efficiency rating of 0.95 UEF.
  • Dual stainless steel heat exchangers for longevity.
NPE-S2-CoverON-NV

Navien NPE-240S2 (Standard)

Designed for power and efficiency without the internal pump. This model is a perfect fit for new construction or homes with existing external recirculation loops. It provides the same massive heating capacity as the A2 series while reducing upfront equipment costs.

  • Maximum output of 11.2 gallons per minute.
  • Highest efficiency in the lineup at 0.96 UEF.
  • Compact wall-hung design saves valuable floor space.
  • 15-year residential heat exchanger warranty.

Tankless services we provide

Installation

New installs, tank-to-tankless upgrades, and like-for-like replacements with sizing, venting, and performance verification.

  • New installs and upgrades
  • Tankless replacements
  • System sizing for household demand
  • Gas supply evaluation (natural gas or propane)
  • Venting and condensate planning (when required)
  • Final checks + walkthrough

Repair & troubleshooting

We diagnose the real cause, not the symptom, then confirm results with flow and temperature checks.

  • No hot water or intermittent hot water
  • Fluctuating temps, cold bursts
  • Low flow problems
  • Ignition issues
  • Error codes and shutdowns
  • Loud operation from scale buildup

Maintenance & descaling

Mineral buildup is a top reason tankless units lose performance. Descaling helps restore efficiency and stabilize delivery.

  • Restore heat transfer and efficiency
  • Reduce flow/overheat-related errors
  • Extend unit life
  • Improve temperature consistency

When a tankless upgrade makes sense

Tankless is a strong fit when you want consistent hot water and a modern setup. The key is pairing the unit to your home’s demand and the gas and plumbing feeding it.

Good fit checklist

  • You run out of hot water often
  • Growing household or frequent guests
  •  You want a space-efficient setup
  •  Your existing tank is aging anyway
  • You want long-term performance
  •  You want clearer temperature control

If your home has older piping, low pressure, or a borderline gas supply line, we’ll flag it early. A tankless unit can only perform as well as what feeds it.

Tankless vs. tank water heater

Feature Tankless Traditional tank
Hot water supply Continuous during normal demand Limited by tank size
Space Compact wall-mounted Larger footprint
Efficiency Often higher with correct sizing Standby losses
Maintenance Descaling matters Flushing and anode maintenance
Upfront install Can be more involved Often simpler

What we will do / won’t do

Will do

  • Install and replace tankless water heaters
  • Repair and troubleshoot tankless systems
  • Evaluate gas line sizing and recommend upgrades when needed
  • Perform maintenance and descaling
  • Explain options clearly, repair vs replace, what’s worth it

Won’t do

  • Guess on sizing or venting
  • Bypass safety requirements
  • Patch a system that needs a proper fix (gas supply, venting, pressure issues)

Tankless Water Heater FAQ

Do tankless water heaters really provide endless hot water?

Tankless units provide continuous hot water within their specific capacity. For larger homes in areas like Santa Rosa or Windsor, we install high-output models like the Navien NPE-240A2. These systems handle up to four showers at once by delivering nearly nine gallons of hot water every minute. Sizing the unit to your peak demand is the difference between a lukewarm trickle and a consistent, high-pressure flow.

Why does my tankless unit go cold for a moment?
Common causes include flow sensor issues, scale buildup, an undersized unit, or demand exceeding capacity. We diagnose the exact reason.
How often should a tankless water heater be descaled?
It depends on water conditions and usage. Many homes benefit from a regular schedule. If you see error codes, noise, or temperature instability, maintenance is often due sooner.
Do I need to upgrade my gas line for tankless?
Sometimes. Tankless units can require more gas flow than a standard tank. We evaluate the existing line and total appliance load before installing.
Can you replace my old tank with a tankless system?
Yes. We confirm location, venting route, condensate needs (when applicable), and gas supply so it performs correctly.

Call to schedule tankless water heater service

If you’re ready to upgrade, or your tankless unit is throwing errors, losing temperature, or acting unpredictable, call Bowen Plumbing and get a clear plan.