Nothing reminds you how much you depend on hot water like a cold shower on a Monday morning. Water heaters are one of the most-searched plumbing topics in America — and one of the most expensive single fixtures to replace, with installed costs ranging from $1,000 for a basic tank to $5,000+ for a high-efficiency tankless unit. This section covers everything: what replacement really costs, how to size a unit for your household, how long heaters last, and when a repair makes more sense than a replacement.
Tank vs tankless: the real decision
Conventional tank heaters store 30–80 gallons and cost less upfront; tankless units heat on demand, last roughly twice as long, and save space — but cost 2–3x more installed and may need gas line or electrical upgrades. Our cost guides break down both with 2026 price tables so you can compare apples to apples.
When to repair vs replace
A 6-year-old tank with a bad thermostat is a repair. A 12-year-old tank leaking from the base is a replacement — no exceptions, since tank leaks cannot be fixed. Use our troubleshooting guides to diagnose first, then get quotes with the cost data in hand.