“What will it cost to replace my water heater?” is one of the first questions homeowners ask. The honest answer is that it depends on your home, and we don’t want to quote a number before we’ve seen the setup. This page explains what affects the cost of a tank or tankless water heater replacement in Las Vegas and Henderson, so you know what to expect when we give you a quote. Las Vegas Water Experts is a family owned and operated plumbing company. Owner Jason Miller has 24+ years of plumbing experience, and we’re licensed (Nevada contractor license 0095727, C-1D Plumbing), bonded and insured.
What a Replacement Usually Includes
- The new water heater, matched to your household
- Labor to drain, disconnect and remove the old unit
- Connecting water, gas or electric, and venting
- Checking for the code items your installation needs, like an expansion tank, pressure relief valve and drain line, seismic straps, and a drain pan where one is required
- Permits the job needs
- Hauling the old heater away
- Testing everything and showing you the shut-offs
When we quote, we tell you what’s included so there are no surprises.
What Changes the Cost
- Tank or tankless. A tankless unit, and especially a switch from tank to tankless, is a bigger job than a like-for-like tank swap.
- Size. A larger tank or a higher-flow tankless unit costs more than a smaller one.
- Gas or electric. Each has different connection and venting needs.
- Location and access. A heater in an open garage is simpler than one in an attic, a tight closet or a spot that’s hard to reach.
- Code updates. Older installations sometimes need updates to meet current code, such as straps, an expansion tank, a pan or venting changes.
- Gas line and venting changes. Moving the heater or changing the type of unit can mean new gas line or venting work.
- Timing. An emergency replacement after hours can involve different scheduling than a planned one.
- Add-ons. Some homeowners add a water softener or scale protection at the same time.
How Hard Water Plays In
Las Vegas and Henderson water is hard. Minerals settle in the bottom of tank heaters as sediment and build scale inside tankless heat exchangers. Over time that can shorten a heater’s life and make it work harder. Regular water heater flushing helps, and a water softener slows buildup throughout the house. Our Las Vegas hard water guide has the full story.
Extra Work When Switching to Tankless
Going from a tank to a tankless water heater often involves more than swapping the unit:
- Gas line upsizing. A whole-home gas tankless unit can need much more gas than a tank, and the existing line may be too small.
- Venting. Tankless units need venting rated for the unit, and the old tank flue usually can’t be reused.
- Condensate drain for units that need one.
- Isolation valves so the unit can be descaled every year.
See tankless water heaters in Las Vegas or tankless water heaters in Henderson for more.
Permits
Water heater replacements, and gas and venting work in particular, generally need a permit and inspection. As a licensed contractor, we pull the permits the job needs. Gas work isn’t a do-it-yourself job.
Repair or Replace?
Not every water heater problem means a new heater. A bad thermostat, element, igniter or valve can often be repaired. Replacement usually makes more sense when:
- The tank itself is leaking
- You’re getting rusty hot water from the tank
- The heater is older and needing repairs more often
- It can no longer keep up with your household
If a repair makes sense, we’ll tell you. See water heater repair in Henderson for common repairs.
How We Quote
We look at your current heater, its location, the gas or electric supply, the venting and any code items. Then we explain your options and give you a price before any work starts. We answer 24/7 at 702-577-5505. You can also start with our water heater and tankless service page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a water heater replacement take?
A like-for-like tank swap is often done within a day. Switching to tankless, or a job that needs gas line or venting changes, takes longer. We give you a timeline with your quote.
Can you replace a water heater the same day?
Sometimes. It depends on the type of heater you need and our schedule. Call us and we’ll tell you what’s possible.
Why don’t you list prices on this page?
Every home is different. Access, code updates, gas and venting all change the job, so we’d rather look at your setup and give you a real price than post a number that may not fit your home.
Are there rebates for tankless water heaters?
Southwest Gas has offered rebates on qualifying tankless water heaters. See our tankless water heaters in Las Vegas page, and check swgas.com for current terms.
Get a Water Heater Quote
Call 702-577-5505 or request an estimate. We answer 24/7.