Cost of New Hot Water Heater

I was wondering what I should expect to pay to replace a hot water heater. It is a 40 gallon A.O. Smith and we will probably just get the same kind to make it easy. The last time we replace one it was around $1200 parts and labor but that was several years ago so I wanted to get an idea of how much people are charging now. Thank you!

zlt99

in Plumbing 4 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

MasterPlvmber | 2 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4822 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4833 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "202524"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "MasterPlvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$i5Szzy3fFv6x62wCRsPZqOpVv24ROw/J7a7Yacunk8vBH8Myfeg.a"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "masterplvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(15) "john@72fLLC.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:38:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "MasterPlvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(202524)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Generally, it costs around $2,000 for 40-50 gallon gas fired water heater these days. Going through a warranty will save you around $400 and that’s it since there’s a handling charge from the wholesaler and labor is whatever it is.

Brownstone Home Inspection | 2 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4823 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4824 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191038"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(26) "Brownstone Home Inspection"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$2Dh.tVTWca7o8G2o2QDdSeR1sOPSrs2w3wRCKLoxX3NZi3rnCHU0S"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone-home-inspection"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(29) "stevehomeinspection@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2021-01-20 15:12:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone home inspection"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191038)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [1]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

my neighbor replaced his a few years back and it was covered under warranty.

palmplumb | 2 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4827 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4821 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "227888"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "palmplumb"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$URth3.SlQZxOm1yDcYw0z.S9.HSaciMPSwGJL88tPWrhDwbDwq436"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "palmplumb"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "infopalmplumb@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2025-06-22 11:35:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(45) "1750592154:$P$B/hynfo915.JvBRO2E7bmlQGTUJ/CV/"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Palm Plumb"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(227888)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You’re right to check—prices have definitely crept up over the past few years. For a standard 40-gallon A.O. Smith electric or gas water heater, you can expect to pay around $1,400 to $2,000 total, depending on your location, access, and whether any plumbing or venting needs updating.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

Unit cost: $500–$800 (depending on model and energy efficiency)

Labor: $600–$1,000

Permit & haul-away fees: $100–$200 (varies by city/county)

If you’re swapping out the same brand and model type, you’ll likely save a bit on labor since there’s no major rework. That $1,200 you paid years ago was a solid price, but today, you’re probably looking at closer to $1,600 average in most areas.

If you’re in a place with high labor rates or stricter code requirements (like California), it might go higher. Always worth getting 2–3 quotes just to compare.

amister | 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4804 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4809 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193339"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "amister"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BUd4k6IKpDCDZ6ZlBty7gRyKkEZtaj/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "amister"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "rsingletary@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 10:53:58"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(27) "Andrew Mister Andrew Mister"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193339)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Just replaced a commercial grade 50 gallon A.O. Smith 40k BTU. I got the 10 yr warranty (having had the previous 6 year break it’s dip tube less than 6 months after it came off warranty).
Anyway that was about $2k all in of which about half was the heater. My plumber bought it, so maybe he gets discounts or benefits from his supplier which I don’t mind cause he handled transport and everything.

One thing to note: I have heard of people who always find that their heater reliably breaks 6 months to a year before the warranty is up. Helps to have a good relationship with your plumber who will submit the warranty for reimbursement.

BobMarvin | 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4810 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4811 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "802"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "BobMarvin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$vXcETAGfbklfbxLqBuZOwe9SvZukjLn11bfJ4K5tk7sYEGuWi6OGW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "bobmarvin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "marvbej@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "http:///forums/users/bobmarvin/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 23:16:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Bob Marvin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(802)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["SPF Manage Forums"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(5) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["SPF Manage Forums"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

These things usually have. a ten year warranty, so you just might be eligible for a free replacement where you only pay for labor. I had that happen once, although they usually fail just after the warranty expires.