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When wondering what size of breaker for a water heater is appropriate, the majority of hot water heaters need a 30-amp, two-pole breaker. Most residential water heaters use 240 volts and between 3,500 and 5,500 watts. If your appliance matches these measurements, a 30-amp breaker is likely perfect. Owners of point-of-use water heaters using 120 volts and between 1,500 and 3,000 watts often find that a 30-amp breaker is adequate. Water heaters that use more watts than average may need a 40-amp breaker. Smaller units that use fewer watts could potentially use a 20-amp breaker.

The cost to install a new water heater depends on the type and its size, but homeowners pay between $900 and $1,800 on average. By contrast, you’ll pay much less for certain repairs, like replacing a broken gas valve, which costs between $150 and $550 on average.

When the water expands in a hot water heater, it puts pressure on your hot water pipes and can cause leaks or a rupture in the hot water tank under certain conditions. Pipes or water heaters may split due to the pressure where there is a backflow preventer that prevents the hot water heater from diffusing pressure by releasing water back to the public water line.

In these scenarios, a hot water heater expansion tank provides a place for the hot water heater to relieve pressure and prevent bursts and leaks.

If you’re having problems with your hot water heater and it’s 10 to 15 years old—the typical life span of a gas hot water heater—you may want to consider replacing it rather than repairing it. Water heater replacement costs about $1,300 on average. If your water heater is younger than nine or 10 years, paying for repairs is most likely worth it. You can always have a plumber assess your fixture to see what it would cost to fix it and then decide if it’s more cost-effective in the long run to replace it.