Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

When is it time to replace a water heater?

Although regular water heater maintenance and water heater repair may extend the life of your hot water heater, it won’t last forever. Most water heaters have a life expectancy of about 10 years. Many water heaters need to be replaced when they’re 8-12 years old — that’s when they start to show signs of fatal wear, such as leaking around the base of the tank. A water heater should be replaced when it fails to sufficiently heat water for the home; if your heater is operating erratically, check first for a blown fuse or a tripped breaker to make sure an electrical issue isn’t causing the problem. Another time to replace a water heater is when you want to upgrade to either a larger model or a more energy-efficient one.

Who can fix a water heater?

When a water heater stops running effectively, it’s best to hire a water heater repair professional to troubleshoot the problem. Whether it’s a plumbing company that offers water heater repair services or a provider specializing in water heater repair and maintenance, most repair companies offer same-day service as well as weekend and after-hours emergency calls. Usually, water heater repair professionals are experts in both electric and gas systems, as well as tank and tankless heaters, and can repair any kind of unit.

Why is my hot water not working?

The most common complaint among homeowners is that their hot water isn’t working — and the water heater is generally the culprit. Typically, it isn’t making the water as hot as you’d like it to be. When the water isn’t hot enough — or isn’t hot at all — run through this troubleshooting checklist for basic water heater repair tasks:

Make sure the power is connected to the heater, then reset the thermostat.
If it’s a gas water heater, make sure the pilot light is lit.
Raise the temperature setting on the thermostat.

If these stops don’t lead to hot water, it’s time to either check the heating element in an electric water heater or the burner unit and gas control valve in a gas-powered heater. A water heater repair and maintenance company can handle these repair jobs. However, if your hot water heater is eight years or older, it may be time to replace the water heater instead of repairing it.

How much do new water heaters cost?

The cost of a new water heater depends largely on the type and size of the heater. The average national cost for a new water heater installation including a 40- to 50-gallon tank is $350-$780. Most homes don’t need larger tanks, but they are available — for a price. The average difference between a 50-gallon tank and a 75-gallon tank (the next most common size) ranges from $400 to $600. Hundred-gallon tanks are also available, and they can cost double or triple the price of a 50-gallon tank from the same manufacturer. New water heaters tend to be far more energy-efficient, so they can cut energy costs; homeowners may also be eligible for a new water heater rebate from their local utility company.

Typically, tankless water heaters, which heat water only when you need it, cost more but can save about 25 percent of annual water heating costs, on average. They also lose only 5 percent of their energy compared with a tank unit’s 30 percent energy loss. Note, too, that a water heater with a tank has a life expectancy of 10 years, while tankless units generally last about twice as long.

The final expense to consider is a possible disposal fee to get rid of the old water heater; some companies include it in the price, while others charge an average of $35-$150.

Suzanne J.

Verified review

Awesome job! Same day service for my water heater. 30% less than another quote I received that I would have needed to wait 4 days for. And he fixed my bathroom facet to boot! Definitely will use him for all my plumbing needs!!

Shari S.

I really appreciated the research that Steve did on the home water filter I wanted to install and the questions he asked about the job prior to my making a decision to hire him. He was willing to visit my home (at no cost to me) to determine whether the home filter could be installed. Because of the limited space around the water heater, there were quite a few installation challenges. He let me know that the water filter could be installed and that it would require some piping work. He also gave me labor costs and a range of piping costs from affordable to gold standard. Although I decided not to go through with this project and returned the home water filter, I hired him to install a sink and shower filter. He was willing to install on the weekend, which fit well with my schedule and installed both for a very reasonable cost and in a reasonable amount of time. He took care to make sure the filters were sufficiently flushed before he left and answered all of my questions. I would definitely hire him again.

Nicole S.

I found Jim's service by posting for some plumbing help on my community Facebook page. He returned my call promptly and came for estimate same day. He and his helper Chuck not only helped me with my hot water tank replacement, they also repaired my outside spigot and cleaned out my water lines. The following day my kitchen sink faucet became too clogged and they were there within an hour and helped replace that too. Very professional and extremely well priced. I now have him on speed dial for all my home fixit emergencies.

Kelly L.

I want to thank Thumbtack for providing service providers for water heater replacement. Perfect Plumbing, Joe Corville is professional and reasonable pricing. Joe responded and provided excellent service!! Thanks to Joe at Perfect Plumbing. Kelly LaPuma-Troy

Antoinette V.

Gary did an awesome job installing our furnace and hot water heater. He was on time and his prices were the best we found. He gave us additional information about things to think about and we will be calling him again to install our central air unit.

Brian W.

Josh and his assistant installed a power vent water heater and also fixed some leaking faucets in my home. Josh was prompt, even providing us with updates as to his expected arrival time. Work was done in a professional manner, Josh is extremely polite and he made sure everything was clean and picked up on completion of the work. I would definitely use him again for any future plumbing needs. I feel his charges were reasonable, too. All in all, this was a great experience.

Kym C.

I actually had George bid a paint job. But ended up using him for multiple things.... installed a water heater, called in a pinch for a furnace repair! Of all the contractors I've hired he was the easiest and most accommodating to work with. I found him to be extremely knowledgeable and experienced. Best part was my husband and I both trusted him and he was extremely fair with his price. Will definitely use him again and again! Kym C

Jan K.

Dave is a very hard worker, he did a great job with a variety of odd jobs, such as painting, wood repair, changing light fixtures, etc. I would recommend him for a good reliable handyman. Those are hard to find.

Cheryl H.

Nick arrived on time, gave me a fair price, and replaced my hot water heater. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Will be calling him again for additional projects.

Don J.

Would highly recommend. Explained all work he would do, including why and cost. Crew showed up on time, were very professional and polite. Installed water heater and cleaned up. Could not be more happy with Maximum Heating and Cooling.

Stefan K.

Jeff came out quickly to install my new water heater. After he left the unit stopped working, he came back that evening and got everything up and running in no time. I always worry what kind of service you will get after you pay the contractor, this was not an issue with Jeff. He showed the same urgency to get it done right at no extra charge. Thanks!

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