How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Water Heater?

by Matt Schmitz
technician fixing water heater

If your water heater is on the fritz and you wind up needing just a repair versus a total replacement, you’re in luck. The national average cost for water heater repairs is less than a third of what it would cost you for a total unit replacement. According to HomeServe data, the average water heater repair totals less than $500 compared with a replacement, which’ll run you more than $1,700 on average.

This May Also Interest You: Hot Water Ran Out While You’re in the Shower? 5 Reasons You're Freezin’

Several variables will go into the calculation of what you’ll ultimately pay for your water heater repairs. First off, don’t forget to factor in an average $99 diagnostic fee — as the contractor you call almost certainly will charge you to show up and determine what’s wrong and how to fix it. Moreover, it’s likely that the problem will be the result of a combination of factors, which in turn will necessitate a combination of solutions carrying their own individual costs that, taken together, figure into the national average.

Read on for a rundown on the common causes of a water heater breakdown and their associated costs for repair, plus a state-by-state breakdown of average water heater repair costs to help you get an idea of what you should expect to pay where you live, all told.

a young technician wearing a blue shirt and safety glasses atop his head, takes a look at a water heater before an inspection

For a broader look at water heater pricing, check out our cost guide covering pricing averages for both repair and replacement state by state. And for a deeper dive into what factors into how much you’ll pay to get your water heater replaced outright, go to our state-by-state replacement cost guide.

All figures are based on aggregated HomeServe data reported by our network of thousands of contractors across the nation. Where insufficient data was available to determine a verifiable average, we’ve noted so. Also note that HomeServe water heater data should generally be assumed to refer to conventional “tanked” models — the most common type — as opposed to tankless or “on-demand” models, which can cost roughly twice as much.

Common Parts Replacements Contributing to Water Heater Repair Costs

  • Gas control valve: $303.38
  • Gas flex: $91.40
  • Gas shutoff valve: $99.22
  • Hot and cold flex lines: $126.23
  • Lower element: $147.70
  • Lower thermostat: $142.58
  • Pilot assembly: $198.17
  • Pilot safety sensor: $201.11
  • T&P or pressure relief valve: $149.79
  • Thermocouple: $151.40
  • Upper and lower element: $254.01
  • Upper and lower thermostat: $251.44
  • Upper element: $146.45
  • Upper thermostat: $143.34
  • T&P discharge tube: $59.59 per foot

National Average Total Cost for Water Heater Diagnosis, Repairs

  • Diagnosis: $99
  • Repair: $493

State by State Average Total Costs for Water Heater Diagnoses, Repairs

Find the average cost to diagnose and repair a water heater in your state, and compare that cost to other states, with the state-by-state breakdown below.

1. Alabama

  • Diagnosis: $87
  • Repair: $405

2. Alaska

  • Diagnosis: Insufficient data
  • Repair: Insufficient data

3. Arizona

  • Diagnosis: Insufficient data
  • Repair: Insufficient data

4. Arkansas

  • Diagnosis: $78
  • Repair: $318

5. California

  • Diagnosis: $71
  • Repair: $340

6. Colorado

  • Diagnosis: $92
  • Repair: $283

7. Connecticut

  • Diagnosis: $59
  • Repair: $509

8. Delaware

  • Diagnosis: $74
  • Repair: $319

9. District of Columbia

  • Diagnosis: $87
  • Repair: $398

10. Florida

  • Diagnosis: $102
  • Repair: $494

11. Georgia

  • Diagnosis: $91
  • Repair: $351

12. Hawaii

  • Diagnosis: Insufficient data
  • Repair: Insufficient data

13. Idaho

  • Diagnosis: $87
  • Repair: $454

14. Illinois

  • Diagnosis: $87
  • Repair: $357

15. Indiana

  • Diagnosis: $82
  • Repair: $290

16. Iowa

  • Diagnosis: $85
  • Repair: $261

17. Kansas

  • Diagnosis: $84
  • Repair: $263

18. Kentucky

  • Diagnosis: $88
  • Repair: $310

19. Louisiana

  • Diagnosis: $87
  • Repair: $278

20. Maine

  • Diagnosis: Insufficient data
  • Repair: Insufficient data

21. Maryland

  • Diagnosis: $84
  • Repair: $466

22. Massachusetts

  • Diagnosis: $69
  • Repair: $439

23. Michigan

  • Diagnosis: $82
  • Repair: $236

24. Minnesota

  • Diagnosis: $84
  • Repair: $339

25. Mississippi

  • Diagnosis: $80
  • Repair: $246

26. Missouri

  • Diagnosis: $83
  • Repair: $332

27. Montana

  • Diagnosis: $94
  • Repair: $310

28. Nebraska

  • Diagnosis: $92
  • Repair: $274

29. Nevada

  • Diagnosis: $59
  • Repair: $197

30. New Hampshire

  • Diagnosis: Insufficient data
  • Repair: $468

31. New Jersey

  • Diagnosis: $64
  • Repair: $333

32. New Mexico

  • Diagnosis: $74
  • Repair: $484

33. New York

  • Diagnosis: $84
  • Repair: $310

34. North Carolina

  • Diagnosis: $89
  • Repair: $364

35. North Dakota

  • Diagnosis: $102
  • Repair: $288

36. Ohio

  • Diagnosis: $88
  • Repair: $567

37. Oklahoma

  • Diagnosis: $89
  • Repair: $343

38. Oregon

  • Diagnosis: $104
  • Repair: $386

39. Pennsylvania

  • Diagnosis: $76
  • Repair: $515

40. Rhode Island

  • Diagnosis: $81
  • Repair: Insufficient data

41. South Carolina

  • Diagnosis: $84
  • Repair: $295

42. South Dakota

  • Diagnosis: $94
  • Repair: $283

43. Tennessee

  • Diagnosis: $82
  • Repair: $398

44. Texas

  • Diagnosis: $88
  • Repair: $325

45. Utah

  • Diagnosis: $76
  • Repair: $360

46. Vermont

  • Diagnosis: Insufficient data
  • Repair: Insufficient data

47. Virginia

  • Diagnosis: $84
  • Repair: $295

48. Washington

  • Diagnosis: $89
  • Repair: $261

49. West Virginia

  • Diagnosis: $81
  • Repair: $393

50. Wisconsin

  • Diagnosis: $81
  • Repair: $326

51. Wyoming

  • Diagnosis: Insufficient data
  • Repair: $271

More Related Articles:

Related Articles