Check whether your home actually has gas
Do this before you shop for a unit. A gas model is a poor choice if no gas line reaches the property, and running a new line is a much bigger project than most owners expect.
- 1
Walk the outside of the house
Look along the exterior walls for a gas meter with a pipe running into the building. Electric meters look different, so check for a steel pipe and a regulator.
- 2
Read a recent utility bill
A natural gas customer gets a gas charge from a gas company. Southwest Gas is the gas provider the Town of Marana names for the area, but your address may differ, so confirm it.
- 3
Look at the appliances you already have
A gas range, furnace or dryer means a gas line is already in the house. A flexible gas connector behind a stove is a good clue.
- 4
Call the provider and ask
Give the service address and ask whether natural gas service is active there. If it is not, ask whether a main runs in your street. That answer decides what your options are.
- 5
Check the existing water heater label
A tank in the garage with a draft hood and a vent pipe is gas. A tank with two heating elements and a wiring cover is electric.
What a gas install involves beyond the tank
A gas water heater burns fuel inside the tank, so the installation has to move exhaust out and bring air in. The tank, the gas line and the flue must all work together. Skipping any of these is how carbon monoxide ends up inside a home.
Most newer Marana homes are built on concrete slabs, so the water heater often sits in a garage or an attic closet. That placement affects how the flue is routed and how much air the unit can draw. A cramped, sealed closet may need extra openings or a different type of unit.
What Marana and Pima County say about water heater work
The Town of Marana lists water heater replacement under its permit application process, with a safety inspection afterward. That means the job is not a casual swap, so confirm the steps with Development Services at (520) 382-2600 before you hire anyone.
Marana Town Code names the 2024 International Plumbing Code with local amendments, and it also adopts the International Fuel Gas Code. The amendments are posted on the Town's building safety codes page, so ask your installer which ones apply to your project.
Homes in unincorporated Pima County, including much of Picture Rocks, follow Pima County rules instead. The county's permit guide lists new or replacement water heaters as needing a permit, and a same-size replacement program exists when the fuel supply is not changing. If you live there, our Picture Rocks plumber page explains how service works in that area, and you should ask Pima County Building Safety which path applies.
The parts of a safe gas installation
Ask the installer to explain each of these on your written quote. A plain answer on every line is a good sign.
- Venting: the flue pipe must slope upward, stay sealed at the joints, and end at an approved termination.
- Combustion air: the space needs enough fresh air for the burner, especially in a closet or small utility room.
- Gas line capacity: the existing pipe must carry enough gas for the new unit plus every other gas appliance on the line.
- Gas shutoff: a manual shutoff valve belongs within reach of the water heater, with a drip leg and a code-approved connector.
- Drain pan and discharge: a pan with a drain protects floors, and the relief valve discharge pipe must run to a safe spot.
- Clearance: keep stored items and anything flammable away from the burner area.
- Permit and inspection: the work should be permitted and inspected where the local rules require it.
Gas, electric or heat pump: how the three compare
Each type has trade-offs that depend on your home, not just on the unit. Use this table to narrow the field before you ask for quotes.
| Factor | Gas tank | Electric tank | Heat pump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs gas service | Yes | No | No |
| Venting | Required, flue to outside | None | None, but needs air space and a condensate drain |
| Electrical needs | Minimal, some models need a plug | Dedicated high-load circuit | Dedicated circuit, often with a 240 volt supply |
| Recovery after heavy use | Fast | Moderate | Slower in its efficiency mode |
| Garage or attic heat | Heat affects the tank and controls | Heat affects the tank and controls | Works well in warm air, needs clearance and airflow |
| Main risk to watch | Carbon monoxide and gas leaks | Element and thermostat failure | Condensate drain clogs |
| Best fit | Home already on gas | All-electric home with limited space | All-electric home that wants lower running load |
Fuel prices and utility rate plans change, so ask your utility about current rates rather than relying on a general rule. A written quote should name the fuel and the exact model.
Permits, inspections and local code
Water heater work usually needs a permit. Marana lists water heater replacement under its permit application process, and a safety inspection follows. The Town has adopted the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the International Fuel Gas Code, both with local amendments.
Ask the installer who pulls the permit and who schedules the inspection. A contractor who skips this step leaves you holding an unpermitted gas appliance, which can cause trouble later when you sell or file an insurance claim.
Carbon monoxide and the first day after install
A gas appliance that vents poorly can release carbon monoxide, which has no smell. A battery or plug-in carbon monoxide alarm near the sleeping area and one near the water heater is a cheap, sensible add-on.
After the install, check that the flue is warm only at the top where exhaust leaves, that the pilot or ignition works, and that no scorch marks or soot show around the draft hood. Soot, a yellow flame or a spilling flue deserves a call to a plumber the same day.
When to call a plumber and when you can wait
Some jobs are safe to plan. Others need a licensed professional now.
| What you notice | What it can mean | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Gas smell or hissing | Leak at a connection or valve | Leave, call 911 and the gas utility |
| Soot or scorch marks near the flue | Poor venting or backdraft | Turn the unit off and call a plumber |
| Pilot keeps going out | Draft problem, thermocouple or gas control fault | Schedule a visit soon |
| Water around the base | Tank leak or loose fitting | Shut off water, call for repair or replacement |
| Planning a switch from electric to gas | New line, vent and permit needed | Confirm service first, then get written quotes |
Choosing between repair, replacement and a new install
If the existing tank is gas and in good shape, a simple repair may be enough. A leaking tank cannot be fixed, so replacement is the only path. Our water heater replacement page explains how to weigh age, leaks and efficiency.
A first-time install, or a change in fuel type, is a bigger scope than a like-for-like swap. The details on our water heater installation page show what a new setup includes. In both cases, the written quote should list every code item above.
Frequently asked questions
Look for a gas meter and pipe outside, a gas charge on a utility bill, or gas appliances such as a range or furnace. Then ask the gas provider to confirm service at your address, since many homes in the area are all-electric.
Only if gas service reaches your property and the gas line, vent path and air supply all work for a new unit. The change usually needs a new line run, a flue and a permit, so get a written scope before you commit.
It can be, with proper clearance, venting and combustion air. Summer garage heat is hard on the tank and controls, so keep the area clear of stored items and have the flue checked by a licensed plumber.
Marana lists water heater replacement under its permit application process with a safety inspection. Confirm the details with Development Services, and ask your installer to handle the permit.
It catches water from a small leak and sends it to a drain or safe discharge point. In a garage or closet, that protects the slab, walls and stored belongings.
It can, since garages in the desert stay warm much of the year. It still needs clearance, airflow and a condensate drain, so ask the installer how the unit fits your space.
Not sure which water heater fits?
Call (855) 575-2890 and we will walk through gas, electric and heat pump options.
Call (855) 575-2890