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Energy Efficient Plumbing · Southern California

What if the sun paid
your utility bills?

Southern California gets 300 days of sunshine a year. Right now, that energy goes to waste while you pay the utility every month. We put it to work four ways — solar electricity, battery backup, solar water heating, and solar pool heating — as one of the few contractors in California licensed for both the solar (C-46) and the plumbing (C-36). Qualifying solar water heating installs earn up to a $5,000 SoCalGas rebate in 2026.

Call Now — Free Estimate See If You Qualify
70–80%
Bill Reduction
4
Ways To Go Solar
$5,000
Max SoCalGas Rebate
30 yr
System Lifespan

💰 SoCalGas is paying up to $5,000 on qualifying solar water heating systems in 2026 — the top tier requires a tankless backup, and tankless is our specialty. First-come, first-served until funds run out. Ask if your home qualifies →

Solar PV

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems

One of the few contractors in California with both a Plumbing (C-36) and Solar (C-46) license. We handle residential solar power systems up to 10kW — with battery backup and EV charging to complete the package. Explore solar PV in depth →

⚡

Grid-Tie Systems

Connect to the utility grid and earn credits for excess power you generate. The most popular and cost-effective solar setup.

🔋

Battery Storage

Store excess solar energy for use at night or during outages. Energy independence with reliable backup power when you need it most. Explore battery backup →

🌐

Off-Grid Systems

Complete independence from the utility grid. Ideal for remote properties or homeowners who want total energy self-sufficiency.

🚗

EV Charger Installation

Charge your electric car on sunshine. We install home EV charging stations — on their own or paired with your solar PV system for the cheapest miles you’ll ever drive. Learn more →

Solar PV and solar water heating together on one roof
Solar PV and solar water heating together on one roof
Our crew on-site — residential PV installation
Our crew on-site — residential PV installation
Residential solar PV — clean install on a tile roof
Residential solar PV — clean install on a tile roof
Solar Water Heating

Why solar water heating makes financial sense

A solar water heating system typically pays for itself in 3–5 years — then delivers free hot water for 25+ more years.

  • Cut water heating bills by 70–80%
  • Up to $5,000 SoCalGas rebate on qualifying 2026 installs
  • Biggest rebate tier pairs solar with a tankless backup — our specialty
  • Average system life: 30 years
  • Protected from future gas price increases
  • Zero CO₂ emissions during operation

Explore solar water heating in depth →

🏠

Residential Solar Water Heating

We design and install systems sized for your home's hot water demand. A 4-person household typically needs just one collector (≈40 sq ft) to meet daily hot water needs.

🏢

Commercial & Multifamily

Hotels, laundromats, apartment buildings — we size and install systems for any scale, and we track the commercial rebate programs so you capture what your project qualifies for.

Solar water heating and PV — beach community install
Solar water heating and PV — beach community install
Rooftop collectors overlooking downtown Los Angeles
Rooftop collectors overlooking downtown Los Angeles
Viessmann flat-plate collectors, ready to go live
Viessmann flat-plate collectors, ready to go live
Setting collectors in place — installed by our own crews
Setting collectors in place — installed by our own crews
Completed rooftop arrays in the heart of Los Angeles
Completed rooftop arrays in the heart of Los Angeles
Solar storage tank and pump station — the indoor side of the system
Solar storage tank and pump station — the indoor side of the system
Twin solar collectors — sealed, plumbed, and finished
Twin solar collectors — sealed, plumbed, and finished
Solar water heating on a coastal townhome
Solar water heating on a coastal townhome
Commercial solar storage tank on a new concrete pad
Commercial solar storage tank on a new concrete pad
Solar Pool Heating

Swim months longer — without the gas bill

Heating a pool with gas can cost hundreds every month. Solar pool heating uses free energy from the sun to extend your swim season from spring through fall, with virtually zero operating cost. We’ve installed solar pool heating on homes and commercial properties across Southern California — it’s a plumbing job as much as a solar job, and we’re licensed for both. Explore solar pool heating in depth →

🌡️

Extend Your Season

Keep your pool comfortably warm for months longer each year — without dreading the utility bill that follows.

💧

Works With Your Pool

Solar panels tie into your existing pool pump and plumbing. No separate heater to maintain, no fuel to buy.

🔧

Installed by Plumbers

Pool heating is a plumbing job as much as a solar one. Our licensed crews handle every pipe, valve, and connection.

Solar pool heating — rooftop panel field
Solar pool heating — rooftop panel field
Pool heating and solar thermal sharing one commercial roof
Pool heating and solar thermal sharing one commercial roof
Close-up of solar pool heating panels on the roof
Pool solar panels up close — plumbed and flowing
The Math Is Simple

Solar water heating pays for itself — then keeps paying

📉

Year 1–4: Payback Period

Between the 30% Federal Tax Credit, SoCalGas rebate up to $4,500, and monthly savings of 70–80% on water heating, most systems pay for themselves within 3–5 years.

☀️

Year 5–30: Free Hot Water

Once the system is paid off, your hot water is essentially free. The average system lasts 30 years — that's 25+ years of dramatically lower bills.

🛡️

Forever: Price Protection

Gas prices go up. Solar is free. Once you're on solar, SoCalGas rate hikes no longer affect your hot water costs. You're insulated from energy market volatility permanently.

Still thinking about it?

Every day you wait costs you money in wasted energy, damaged pipes, or higher repair bills. The estimate is free. The call takes 2 minutes.

Call 800-595-5022 Request a Quote Online
Service Area

Where we do solar installations & repairs

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles · Beverly Hills · Santa Monica · Sherman Oaks · Pasadena · Glendale · Long Beach · Torrance · Woodland Hills · Culver City · Burbank · Manhattan Beach

Orange County

Irvine · Anaheim · Santa Ana · Huntington Beach · Newport Beach · Costa Mesa · Mission Viejo · Fullerton · Orange · Laguna Niguel

San Diego County

Carlsbad · Oceanside · Encinitas · Vista · San Marcos · Escondido · Del Mar · Solana Beach · La Jolla · San Diego

Our Credentials

Licensed, trained, and certified

  • California Solar C-46 License holder
  • Certified installer: Heliodyne & SunEarth solar water heating systems
  • CSI-Thermal Program certified contractor
  • All panels SRCC (Solar Rating & Certification Corporation) certified
  • Residential and small commercial up to 10kW
  • Full parts and labor guarantee on all systems
Real Customers

Southern California trusts Doctor Piper

★★★★★

"The building inspector told me that Doctor Piper is the only company he carries business cards for — in case someone asks for a recommendation. That says everything."

Verified Customer
Angi Review · Los Angeles, CA
★★★★★

"Dr. Piper just re-piped our entire 3,000 sq ft house. They worked around our schedule, showed up every morning on time, and finished ahead of schedule."

S.L.
Nextdoor Review · San Diego, CA
★★★★★

"I have a great doctor, a great mechanic, and now I've found a great plumber. Dr. Piper is honest, reliable, and truly a gem. You cannot go wrong calling him."

Verified Customer
Certified Contractors · San Diego, CA
Common Questions

Solar questions, answered

Real numbers, rebates, and what to expect from solar in Southern California.

How much can I really save with solar water heating?
Most homeowners cut their water heating bill by 70–80%. Combined with SoCalGas rebates up to $5,000 on qualifying 2026 installs, most systems pay for themselves in a few years — then deliver essentially free hot water for decades.
What rebates do I qualify for?
For 2026, SoCalGas offers rebates from $2,500 up to $5,000 on qualifying ENERGY STAR solar thermal water heating systems — the amount depends on the backup water heater paired with it, and the top tier requires an ENERGY STAR tankless backup. Funds are first-come, first-served and the paperwork requires a finalized permit. We handle all of it. Homes in 2025 wildfire-impacted zip codes may qualify for increased rebates — ask us.
Does solar water heating work on cloudy days?
Yes. Systems include a backup heating element, so you always have hot water — even during a rare cloudy stretch. And with 300 days of SoCal sunshine a year, backup is rarely needed.
Will the panels damage my roof?
No. Our C-46 licensed installers use professional mounting systems designed to protect your roof. All installations are permitted and inspected.
How long does a solar water heating system last?
About 30 years on average — one of the longest-lasting home energy investments you can make.
Do you install solar for businesses too?
Yes — hotels, laundromats, apartment buildings, and commercial properties. We size systems for any scale, and commercial SoCalGas rebates are available.

Have a different question? We're happy to answer it.

Call 800-595-5022

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No pressure, no obligation. We come to you, assess the situation, and hand you a written quote the same day.

Call 800-595-5022 Request a Quote Online
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