Water Heater Cost Calculator
Pick your heater type and the add-ons your home needs, such as venting, a bigger gas line or a new circuit, to see a realistic 2026 installed price.
Estimate at a glance2026
Choose a heater type, then add only the work your home needs. A like-for-like tank swap needs no add-ons. Switching to tankless or a heat pump usually adds venting, gas line or electrical work, which is why those quotes run higher. The calculator shows a low, typical and high 2026 range and saves nothing.
Calculator
Most water heater quotes are easy to understand until the extras arrive. This calculator separates the heater from the work around it, so you can see which part of a quote is the machine and which part is your house.
How to use it
- Pick the heater type. Choose tank if you are replacing a tank with the same kind. Choose tankless or heat pump if you are switching.
- Add only what your home needs. Your installer should tell you which of these apply after looking at your gas line, vent and electrical panel. If you do not know yet, try the calculator with and without each one to see the possible range.
The numbers behind it
| Item | 2026 installed price used |
|---|---|
| Tank water heater, like-for-like | $882 to $1,826 |
| Tankless water heater | $1,400 to $3,900 |
| Heat pump (hybrid) water heater | $2,000 to $4,500 |
| New venting for gas tankless | $300 to $800 |
| Larger gas line | $200 to $1,200 |
| New 240-volt circuit | $300 to $500 |
| Electrical panel upgrade | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Expansion tank, where required | $150 to $450 |
Which add-ons usually apply
- Tank to tank, same fuel: usually none, sometimes an expansion tank if your home has a backflow preventer or pressure regulator.
- Tank to gas tankless: new venting almost always, and a larger gas line in many homes.
- Tank to electric tankless: a large dedicated circuit, and sometimes a panel upgrade.
- Electric tank to heat pump: often a new 240-volt circuit and enough space and air around the unit.
What the calculator does not include
- Emergency, night or weekend service premiums
- Permits, which some areas require for water heater replacement
- Moving the heater to a new location
- Water damage repair from a failed tank
For the full comparison of running costs and lifespans, read tankless vs. tank water heaters, and for warning signs that a replacement is coming, see signs you need a new water heater. The rest of the plumbing picture is in our plumbing costs guide.
One 2026 note: the federal tax credit for heat pump water heaters ended for units installed after December 31, 2025. Some states and utilities still offer rebates, so check before you buy.
Questions homeowners ask
How much does it cost to replace a water heater in 2026?
A like-for-like tank replacement runs about $882 to $1,826 installed. Tankless units run $1,400 to $3,900 and heat pump models about $2,000 to $4,500, before any venting, gas or electrical work.
Why do tankless quotes include so many extras?
Gas tankless units usually need new venting and often a larger gas line, and electric units need a large dedicated circuit. A tank-to-tank swap avoids most of that work.
Is there a tax credit for heat pump water heaters in 2026?
No federal credit. It ended for units installed after December 31, 2025, but some state and utility rebates remain.
Is my information saved?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and stores nothing.
Sources
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