How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Water Heater?

Having issues with your water heater? We know you probably have a few questions, but the most pressing is probably, “How much is it going to cost to repair my water heater?”

On average, the cost to repair a water heater ranges from $212-$900, with the average falling somewhere around $500.

We wish we had a more-detailed answer for you, but the exact cost of your water heater repair will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• The age of your water heater
• The type of water heater you have (tank vs. tankless)
• The part or parts that need to be repaired
• Any warranties you have in place
• The company or plumber your hire

Below, we’ll look at each of these factors in more detail, so you can get a better idea of how much your water heater repair will cost. However, we will say that although we can provide you with a rough estimate, the only way to determine the exact cost of your repair will be to have a professional plumber assess your water heater and determine the cost of the repair.

The older your water heater is, the more expensive your repair will likely be.

On average, tank water heaters are made to last about 8-12 years and tankless water heaters are built to last about 15-20 years.

If your water heater is older, chances are there will be several parts that need to be repaired or replaced, and a plumber may suggest just replacing your entire water heater altogether.

Many times, it’s more cost-effective in the long run to just replace your water heater than to pay for pricey repairs on a water heater that will need to be replaced in the near future anyways.

Typically, tank water heaters are less expensive to repair than tankless water heaters are.

This is mostly due to the fact that tank water heaters are less complex than tankless water heaters are and usually require less time to repair.

In addition, tankless water heaters normally have more complex (and expensive) parts, which adds to the cost of your repair.

The cost of your repair will be largely determined by the part or parts that need to be repaired.

For example, if your tank water heater has a faulty pressure relief valve (~ $200), your repair is going to cost a lot less than if the heating element is broken (~ $400).

Of course, a licensed plumber will need to assess your water heater to determine exactly what the issue is and what parts potentially need to be replaced or repaired.

If you have a valid parts and/or labor warranty, the cost of your repair will be less expensive.

Labor warranty: Labor warranties are provided by the company or plumber who installed your water heater and usually last about 1-2 years. A valid labor warranty will cover the cost of labor for your repair, but not the cost of parts. To see if your labor warranty is still valid, you should reach out to the company or plumber who installed your water heater.

Parts warranty: Parts warranties are provided by the manufacturer of your water heater and usually last 5-10 years. A parts warranty will cover the cost of parts that were faulty when your water heater was installed. To check the validity of your parts warranty, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and enter the serial number of your water heater.

Note: If you have previously repaired your water heater with any off-brand parts or had repairs done by someone who was not a licensed plumber, your parts warranty will likely no longer be valid.

The last (and probably most important) cost factor to consider is the company or plumber you hire.

Typically, the more experienced a plumber or company is, the more they will charge for service. However, when it comes to a water heater repair, this is not a cost you want to cut.

While a less experienced plumber may offer a cheaper repair, you also run the risk of a repair that’s not done correctly, which could result in work that needs to be redone or a repair that has spiraled into an even larger issue.

To find a quality plumber in you area, we’d suggest looking for someone:

1. With great reviews on sites like the BBB, Google and Facebook
2. Who has been in business for at least 5 years
3. Who has valid insurance and a valid license