Four clear options.
| What matters | Gas tank | Electric tank | Heat pump | Gas tankless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | 40-gallon from $1,895 50-gallon from $2,095 | 50-gallon from $1,795 | 50-gallon from $3,450 | From $4,600 |
| Lasts here | 8 to 12 years | 8 to 12 years | 8 to 12 years | 18 to 20 years with a yearly flush |
| Hot water | A 40-gallon tank runs out after about two back-to-back showers. | Stored hot water for an electric home. | Stored hot water, using less than half the electricity of a plain electric tank. | Hot water that does not run out, enough for two showers at once. |
| Space it takes | Floor space for the tank. | Floor space for the tank. | Garage or room that stays above 40 degrees. | Wall-mounted and compact. |
| Yearly upkeep | $129 tank flush | $129 tank flush | $129 tank flush | $189 descale |
| Who it suits | A direct gas replacement on a budget. | A straightforward electric replacement. | Homes with warm garage space and a focus on lower electricity use. | Families with higher demand who want long equipment life. |
Gas tank
- Starting price
- 40-gallon from $1,895
50-gallon from $2,095 - Lasts here
- 8 to 12 years
- Hot water
- A 40-gallon tank runs out after about two back-to-back showers.
- Space it takes
- Floor space for the tank.
- Yearly upkeep
- $129 tank flush
- Who it suits
- A direct gas replacement on a budget.
Electric tank
- Starting price
- 50-gallon from $1,795
- Lasts here
- 8 to 12 years
- Hot water
- Stored hot water for an electric home.
- Space it takes
- Floor space for the tank.
- Yearly upkeep
- $129 tank flush
- Who it suits
- A straightforward electric replacement.
Heat pump
- Starting price
- 50-gallon from $3,450
- Lasts here
- 8 to 12 years
- Hot water
- Stored hot water, using less than half the electricity of a plain electric tank.
- Space it takes
- Garage or room that stays above 40 degrees.
- Yearly upkeep
- $129 tank flush
- Who it suits
- Homes with warm garage space and a focus on lower electricity use.
Gas tankless
- Starting price
- From $4,600
- Lasts here
- 18 to 20 years with a yearly flush
- Hot water
- Hot water that does not run out, enough for two showers at once.
- Space it takes
- Wall-mounted and compact.
- Yearly upkeep
- $189 descale
- Who it suits
- Families with higher demand who want long equipment life.
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Family of six. The side-by-side made tankless an easy call.
What every install includes.
Permit and city inspection, a new shutoff valve and connectors, a thermal expansion tank, a drain pan where needed, venting checked and the old tank hauled away. Tankless systems need new venting and sometimes a larger gas line, which is quoted separately at $350 to $900 when needed.
Not sure which column fits your home?
Tell us how many people use hot water, what you have now and where the water heater sits. We’ll show you the options without trying to steer you to the most expensive one.