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Solar Water Heating

Heat your water
with sunshine

Southern California gets over 280 days of sun a year — and every one of them can heat your water for free. A solar water heating system captures that heat on your roof and delivers it to your tap, cutting the biggest chunk out of your water heating bill. In 2026, SoCalGas is paying up to $5,000 on qualifying installs. We're licensed for both the plumbing and the solar, so one accountable company handles the whole system — including the rebate paperwork.

280+
Sunny Days A Year
C-36 + C-46
Plumbing + Solar Licensed
$5,000
Max SoCalGas Rebate

💰 SoCalGas is paying up to $5,000 on qualifying solar water heating installs in 2026 — and the biggest rebate tier requires a tankless backup, our specialty since 2006. First-come, first-served. Ask if your home qualifies →

How It Works

Free heat, captured on your roof

Solar collectors on your roof absorb the sun's heat and transfer it to your water — no electricity generated, no complicated inverters, just direct heat doing what it does naturally. The heated water is stored in an insulated tank, ready when you are.

On cloudy days or heavy-use mornings, a backup heater — tank or tankless — picks up the slack automatically. You never notice the handoff; you just notice the lower bill.

  • Water heating is a huge share of a home's energy use — solar attacks it directly
  • The sun's heat is free, every day, forever
  • Up to $5,000 SoCalGas rebate on qualifying 2026 installs
  • Works with a tank or tankless backup for 24/7 reliability
  • Simple, proven technology with decades of track record
  • Pairs with solar PV if you want to go all-in on the sun
"Most plumbers can't touch the solar side. Most solar companies can't touch the plumbing side. A solar water heating system is both — which is exactly why we carry both licenses. One company, one warranty, one number to call."
— The Doctor Piper difference
Built For This Climate

Southern California is solar water heating country

Some technologies fight the local climate. This one is made for it.

☀️

Sun to spare

With 280+ sunny days a year, SoCal collectors work near their peak most of the year — the same reason solar PV took off here first. More sun in means more free hot water out.

🌡️

Mild winters

Freeze protection is a major engineering headache in cold states. Our mild winters keep systems simpler, cheaper to maintain, and longer-lived.

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Rising energy costs

Gas and electric rates in California keep climbing. Every rate hike makes the sun's free heat worth more — your savings grow over the life of the system.

Designed For Your Home

Every system is sized and built to fit

Roof orientation, family size, backup preference — we design around your home, not a one-size template.

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Site assessment

We evaluate your roof's orientation, shading, and structure, plus your household's hot water usage, to size the collectors and storage correctly.

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Backup done right

Solar carries the base load; a tank or tankless backup covers cloudy stretches and peak mornings. As tankless specialists since 2006, we build backups that work seamlessly.

🛠️

Installed to code

Roof penetrations, plumbing runs, permits — all handled by our own licensed crews. No subcontractor roulette on your roof.

Honest Talk

Is solar water heating right for you?

It shines brightest for households that use a lot of hot water — bigger families, pools and spas, high gas or electric rates. The more hot water you use, the faster free solar heat pays for itself.

If your usage is light or your roof isn't a good candidate, we'll say so — and point you to the system that actually fits, whether that's tankless or a heat pump. We install all four water heating systems, so the only thing we push is the right answer.

  • Best for: larger families & heavy hot water users
  • Needs: reasonable sun exposure on the roof
  • Bonus: pairs with solar PV for maximum independence
"We had our whole house repiped and a tankless water heater installed. As a licensed architect working for a large design/build general contractor, I was very impressed with this company — they showed up and followed through when other plumbers never did."
— Stephanie W. · Yelp Review · Los Angeles, CA
Common Questions

Solar water heating questions, answered

What rebates can I get?
For 2026, SoCalGas offers rebates from $2,500 up to $5,000 on qualifying ENERGY STAR solar thermal systems. The amount depends on the backup water heater: the $5,000 top tier requires an ENERGY STAR tankless backup — which is exactly the pairing we recommend anyway. Funds are first-come, first-served, and payment requires a finalized permit and complete documentation. We handle all of it, and we'll confirm current availability before you commit.
Is solar water heating the same as solar panels?
No — solar PV panels make electricity; solar water heating collectors capture heat directly. Heating water with captured heat is more direct and efficient than making electricity first. Many homes do both — and we install both. See our solar energy page for PV.
Does it work on cloudy days?
Collectors still capture diffuse heat on overcast days, just less of it — and your backup heater automatically covers the gap. You never run out of hot water; you just use a little more backup fuel that day.
What happens at night?
The insulated storage tank holds the day's heated water, and the backup heater covers anything beyond it. Morning showers work exactly like they always have.
How long does a system last?
Solar thermal is simple, proven technology — quality collectors routinely last 20+ years with basic maintenance. It's one of the longest-lived investments you can make in a home.
Can I combine it with a tankless water heater?
Yes — solar plus tankless backup is an excellent pairing: the sun carries the base load and the tankless fires only when needed. As factory-certified tankless installers since 2006, this combination is right in our wheelhouse.
Why do I need a contractor with two licenses?
A solar water heating system is plumbing on your roof. California licenses the plumbing work (C-36) and solar work (C-46) separately — we hold both, in California and Nevada. With a single-license contractor, half your system is someone else's problem.

Curious what solar could save your household? Let's look at your numbers.

Call 800-595-5022

The sun works for free. Put it on the payroll.

Free on-site assessment, written same-day quote, and a straight answer about whether solar water heating fits your home.

Get Started Today

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