Petaluma Furnace & Tankless Water Heater Install: Real Job Case Study | Bellows

Real Job: Furnace & Tankless Water Heater Installation on Falcon Ridge Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954

The Short Version

• Location: Petaluma, CA 94954
• Job type: Full system replacement — furnace + tank water heater out, high-efficiency furnace + Navien tankless in
• Permits: Pulled and managed by Bellows
• Timeline: Completed in a single scheduled installation day
• Result: A warmer home, endless hot water, and significantly lower monthly energy costs

The Situation: Two Aging Systems, One Decision

The homeowners on Falcon Ridge Drive in Petaluma had been living with aging equipment for years. Like most Sonoma County homes built in the 80s and 90s, theirs had a traditional gas furnace and a standard tank water heater that were both approaching end of life — the kind of situation where you’re not sure which one will fail first. Rather than wait for an emergency breakdown in the middle of a cold Petaluma winter, they made the smart call: replace both systems at once while they were on their timeline, not the equipment’s timeline. That’s where Bellows came in.

Step 1: The Project Assessment

Our comfort advisor visited the home, assessed both systems, evaluated the existing gas line, checked venting pathways, and calculated proper sizing for the home’s heating load. This step matters more than most homeowners realize — undersized or oversized equipment is one of the most common and costly installation mistakes in the industry. We walked the homeowners through equipment options, explained the efficiency differences between models, and provided a detailed written estimate before anything was scheduled.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Equipment

For the furnace, we selected a high-efficiency unit with a Lifetime heat exchanger warranty and 10-year parts coverage — built for the Petaluma climate where winter nights can dip into the 30s and heating reliability isn’t optional. For the water heater, the choice was clear: the Navien NPE-2 condensing tankless. Here’s why it was the right fit for this home: • Up to 0.96 UEF efficiency — significantly lower gas costs than the tank unit it replaced • Uses existing 1/2″ gas pipe — no costly gas line upgrade needed • 2″ PVC venting up to 75 feet — clean installation with minimal structural impact • Dual stainless steel heat exchangers — corrosion-resistant, built to last 20+ years • 15-year heat exchanger warranty for residential use • EZNav™ controls with optional NaviLink Wi-Fi — homeowners can monitor and adjust remotely Navien is Bellows’ primary tankless brand — we have a direct manufacturer relationship, which means faster parts access and better warranty support for our customers.

Step 3: Installation Day

The Bellows installation team arrived on schedule. The job included: — Removal and disposal of the old furnace and tank water heater — Installation of the new high-efficiency furnace with proper load-matched sizing — Installation of the Navien tankless unit, including new venting through 2″ PVC — Gas line assessment and connection confirmation — System startup, testing, and commissioning on both units — Full walkthrough with the homeowners on operation, settings, and maintenance Both systems were up and running the same day. No surprises. No callbacks.

The Permits

Both the furnace and tankless installations required permits through the City of Petaluma. Bellows managed the entire process — permit application, coordination, scheduling the final inspection, and closeout. This is standard on every Bellows install. Never let a contractor skip the permit on a job like this — it affects your home’s resale value, your insurance, and your warranty coverage.

What the Homeowners Gained

• ✓ Endless hot water — no more scheduling showers around the tank’s recovery time
• ✓ High-efficiency heating — furnace performing at peak efficiency, not limping along at 60–70%
• ✓ Energy savings — Navien tankless uses approximately 179 therms/year vs. 269 therms for a standard tank
• ✓ Peace of mind — both systems warrantied, permitted, and inspected
• ✓ One contractor, two trades — plumbing and HVAC handled by the same trusted team

Considering a Similar Upgrade in Petaluma or Sonoma County? If your furnace or water heater is 12+ years old, you’re likely paying more in energy costs and repair bills than a replacement would cost you over the same period. Replacing both systems together also saves on labor and mobilization costs compared to doing them separately.

Bellows serves all of Sonoma County including Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and Windsor — as well as Marin, Napa, and the greater Bay Area. Call 415-460-1264 for a written estimate and walk you through everything — no pressure, no surprises.