Water Heater Repair Cost in Houston, Texas [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $237 - $1,010

The national average hot water heater repair cost in Houston, TX, is $624, with most repairs ranging between $237 and $1,010. A pro can help determine the price of your specific repair.

How we get this data
Electric water heater installed in the bathroom
Photo: JinOdin / Adobe Stock
Electric water heater installed in the bathroom
Photo: JinOdin / Adobe Stock
Highlights
  • The type of repair, the type of water heater, and the affected parts all impact the overall cost.

  • You should work with a licensed Houston contractor for water heater repairs.

  • Water heater repairs don’t require a permit in Houston, but replacement does.

The average cost to repair a water heater in Houston, Texas, is $624, with prices ranging from $237 to $1,010 for most people. Houston water heater repair prices are 4% higher than the national average cost of water heater repair. These prices depend on the malfunctioning part or parts, the type of water heater, and the type of repairs needed.

Water Heater Repair Cost Factors 

Several factors can impact the overall cost of water heater repair in Houston, including the part that needs to be fixed or replaced, the type of water heater, and the type of repair work needed.

Water Heater Repair Cost by Part

As with any appliance, water heater repair costs depend on the part you need. Water heaters have more than a dozen parts, ranging in size and cost. Take a look at some part estimates below, which don’t include the labor rate to replace them.

Water Heater PartCost to Repair
Anode rod$25–$80
Dip tube$25
Gas burner$180
Gas valve$75–$210
Heating element$15–$60
Thermostat$20–$415

Each water heater component serves a unique function. Many small parts cost $50 or less, but your total could reach the hundreds with the labor prices. Still, this is more affordable than the cost of a full water heater replacement in Houston, which costs between $1,000 and $1,925.

6 common electric water heater parts illustrated, including electrical supply, cold water supply valve, and drain valve

Water Heater Repair Cost by Service

Water heater repair prices range from simple DIY fixes under $20 to more complex problems that can cost hundreds. For instance, the cost to flush a water heater in Houston is $210. The following issues occur in both electric and gas heaters. If you have a different type of water heater—like a heat pump versus tankless water heater—you could be on the hook for additional repairs. 

Type of ServiceRepair Costs
Fixing a leaking water heater$25–$100 for tightening and cleaning, $1,000–$1,925 for total replacement
Replacing the pressure relief valve$20–$210
Replacing the dip tube$25–$155
Cleaning and flushing the tank$210
Replacing the anode rod$20–$210
Replacing the expansion tank$105–$415

Repair Costs by Water Heater Type

Lukewarm water coming out of your shower could indicate several issues, such as a thermocouple problem in a gas unit or a heater element failure in an electric unit. Costs vary based on your style because they require different parts and expertise to fix. The two main categories are gas and electric water heaters.

Gas Water Heater Repair Costs

Gas water heater repair costs come from pilot light problems, thermostat issues, or a failed thermocouple. Each displays different symptoms with varying water heater repair prices that go with it.

Gas Water Heater ProblemsCost to Fix
Pilot light out$55–$155
Thermostat malfunctioning$85–$210
Thermocouple malfunctioning$155
Gas control valve malfunctioning$365

Electric Water Heater Repair Costs

A few problems are unique to electric water heaters. These involve tripped breakers, faulty heater elements, and bad thermostats.

Electric Water Heater ProblemsCost
Tripped breakers$0 (this is DIY)
Heater element malfunctioning$210–$310
Thermostat malfunctioning$20–$210

Solar Water Heater Repair Costs

Solar water heaters are a viable option in Houston, given Houston’s sunny weather. Solar water heaters are more expensive to install, but they are lower-maintenance and less likely to malfunction. However, when something is wrong, they can be much more costly to repair, given the higher prices of parts and the specialized knowledge required by a local solar contractor.

Solar water heater repair costs in Houston depend on which part of the solar energy system needs to be repaired (the insulation, collector, or tank itself).

Solar Water Heater Repair TypeCost to Fix
Insulation repair$105–$520
Collector repair$105–$830
Tank repair$415–$1,040

You may also run into issues with the solar panels themselves, which can impact more than just your water heating system. This repair work can also be expensive. In Houston, solar panel repair costs between $250 and $1,550.

Water Heater Pro Costs

Houston water heater installers charge between $50 and $200 an hour. Most basic repairs take one to two hours for a total of $100 to $400. You’ll want a licensed plumber to tackle complex repairs because DIYing could make the problem worse, and you could void the warranty by tinkering with the water heater yourself.

However, you may be able to tackle more basic repairs on your own, like relighting the pilot light or swapping out a simple part. In that case, there would be no labor cost at all.

Water Heater Permits in Houston

You don’t need to obtain a permit for repairing an existing water heater. However, if the local water heater installer advises that you must replace your unit entirely, they’ll need to obtain a permit. A water heater permit costs $33.10 in Houston.

Does Replacing a Water Heater Increase Home Value?

Replacing a water heater could increase your home value. For example, if you have an old, inefficient model, installing a brand-new unit that is efficient and eco-friendly will be more appealing to homebuyers and drive up the asking price of your home.

Specifically, upgrading to a tankless water heater boosts home value by as much as 1.2%, according to a report by Zillow. Homebuyers appreciate the energy savings afforded by these units and are willing to pay more, especially if you can provide evidence of how much the tankless water heater reduced your monthly utility costs.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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