Water Heater Replacement and Installation in West Palm Beach
Electric tank installed $600 to $2,200; gas tank $800 to $2,500
A tank that leaks from the body, rusty water from the hot tap only, or a tank in its second decade that needs a gas valve. That is when replacement beats repair. The tank cannot be patched, and a new heater comes with a new warranty and parts that will not fail for years.
What a replacement includes
- Shut off and drain the old tank, disconnect water, power or gas, and the vent.
- Set the new tank, in a new drain pan where the location calls for one.
- New flexible supply connectors and a new temperature and pressure relief valve, with a discharge line run to an approved spot.
- On gas: new gas connector, sediment trap, and the vent connected and checked for draft.
- On electric: wiring checked at the disconnect, breaker and wire size matched to the new elements.
- Thermal expansion checked. Homes with a check valve or pressure-reducing valve on the main usually need an expansion tank.
- Fill, purge the air, fire it, and set the thermostat to 120 degrees.
- Old tank hauled off.
Permits and licensing
In unincorporated Palm Beach County, an exact like-for-like water heater change-out goes through the county Building Division on its change-out form, which issues a self-issued permit, and a cord-connected heater adds an electrical sub-permit. Cities and towns with their own building departments, West Palm Beach included, issue their own permits, and a tankless or solar install can go to plan review. Replacing a heating element is the only water heater job on the county's no-permit list. The plumber's job ends when the final inspection passes, not when the heater turns on.
Choosing the replacement
Same size, same fuel. The fastest and cheapest swap. Most homes end up here.
Bigger tank. Fine if the space, the venting and the electrical allow it. Electric tanks over 55 gallons in practice have to be heat pump models under the federal standards, which changes the price and the space needed.
Tankless. More money up front, endless hot water, and the closet back. See tankless installation.
Heat pump. Uses much less electricity than a standard electric tank and needs room around it. See heat pump water heaters.
What it costs
A standard 40 or 50 gallon electric tank installed runs $600 to $2,200. A gas tank runs $800 to $2,500. An expansion tank, a new location, a fuel change or a longer vent run adds to that, and the number is set on the phone from the label and a photo of the heater and its connections.
Send a photo of the tank, the label and the pipes above it after you call (561) 264-5624. That is usually enough to price the swap before anyone comes out.