Water Heater Replacement in Houston
Electric tank and tankless water heater replacement since 2005. Licensed electricians Serving Houston and surrounding areas. BBB A+ rated. Free estimate.
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When to Replace a Water Heater: Signs It Is Time
Water heaters rarely fail all at once. Most give you warnings first, and knowing them lets you plan a water heater replacement instead of dealing with a flooded garage or attic.
Not enough hot water, or none at all
Showers that turn lukewarm halfway through, or hot water that runs out faster than it used to, are the most common first sign. Sometimes the cause is a single failed part that can be repaired. Other times the tank has filled with sediment and lost much of its usable capacity. If your household has grown, the unit may simply be too small now. We check which one it is before recommending anything.
Leaks, rust and water around the base
Water pooling under the tank, rust on the jacket or fittings, and rusty or discolored hot water are serious signs. A leak from the tank body itself usually cannot be repaired, and it can get worse without warning. If you see water, turn off the cold supply to the heater and switch off its breaker if you can do so safely. Then call (713) 467-1125. Our phones are open 24/7.
Popping, rumbling and other new noises
Sediment settles at the bottom of a tank over time. As it builds up, the water heater can pop, rumble or crackle while it heats, and it works harder to do the same job. Flushing can help when it is caught early. When the noise is loud and constant, the sediment is often past the point where flushing makes a real difference, and replacement starts to make more sense than another service call.
Age and a growing repair history
Every water heater has a limited life, and the date of manufacture is usually printed on the label. An older unit with repairs piling up is a strong candidate for replacement, even if it still makes hot water today. Replacing it on your schedule lets you choose the right model and avoid an emergency. Send us a photo of the label and we can help you read it.
Electric Water Heater Not Heating: What It Usually Means
A water heater not heating is one of the most common calls we get about hot water. Here is what an owner can check safely and what tends to be behind the problem.
Check the breaker first
An electric water heater runs on its own 240 volt circuit. If the breaker has tripped, resetting it once is reasonable. If it trips again, leave it off and call, because a breaker that keeps tripping points to a failed element, a wiring problem or a short. Do not remove the access covers on the tank yourself. The terminals behind them carry full voltage even when the water is cold.
Heating elements and thermostats
Most electric tank water heaters have an upper and a lower heating element, each controlled by its own thermostat. When one fails, you may get some hot water but not enough. When the upper one fails, you may get none. A failed element or thermostat can often be replaced, which is cheaper than a new heater. On an older, sediment-filled tank, though, the new part may only buy a little time.
Repair or replace: how we help you decide
We look at the age of the heater, the condition of the tank, whether it is leaking and how often it has needed work. If a repair is sensible, we tell you. If the tank is near the end of its life, we tell you that too and explain your replacement options. You make the call with the facts in front of you, not under pressure.
A tripped high-temperature limit
Electric tank water heaters have a high-temperature limit switch that cuts the power if the water gets too hot. It usually trips because a thermostat has stuck or an element has shorted, so pressing the reset button only hides the real problem. The button sits behind the same cover as the live terminals, which makes it a job for an electrician, not an owner. If the heater keeps shutting itself off, call us and we will find the cause.
Electric Tank or Tankless Water Heater Replacement
A replacement is the right time to ask whether you want the same kind of heater again or something different. Wired installs electric water heaters, tank and tankless, and both are good choices for the right house.
Like-for-like electric tank replacement
Replacing an electric tank with a similar electric tank is usually the simplest job. The space, the water connections and the 240 volt circuit are already in place, so the work focuses on removing the old unit, setting the new one and bringing the installation up to current code. We install Rheem electric tank water heaters and check that the breaker and wire match the elements on the new heater's label.
Water heater replacement with electric tankless
An electric tankless water heater heats water as it flows instead of keeping a tank hot all day. That means hot water on demand, a compact unit mounted on the wall and the floor space a tank used to take. Switching from a tank to electric tankless is more involved than a straight swap, mostly on the electrical side, so we look at your panel and wiring first and tell you what would need to change.
What changes when you switch to electric tankless
An electric tankless unit can need much more electrical capacity than the electric tank it replaces, often new dedicated circuits from the panel and sometimes a panel or service upgrade. The water connections at the wall change too. None of this is a reason to avoid tankless. It just means the estimate should cover the whole job, and that is what our free visit is for.
Choosing the right size for your home
A water heater that is too small runs out of hot water. One that is too big costs more to buy and run than it needs to. An electric tank takes a while to reheat after heavy use, so we look at its first-hour rating, not just the gallons. For electric tankless, we size by how much hot water flow you need at once. For a deeper comparison, see our guide to choosing a water heater.
Electric Tankless Water Heater Electrical Requirements
This is where being a licensed electrical contractor matters. Electric tankless water heaters put real demands on your electrical system.
Electric tankless units need serious power
A whole-house electric tankless water heater heats water instantly, so it draws a large amount of current while the water runs. Many models need more than one dedicated 240 volt circuit, each with its own breaker and correctly sized wire. Running one on wiring meant for an electric tank is unsafe. We read the manufacturer's requirements for the exact model and wire it to match.
Will my panel handle a tankless water heater?
Before an electric tankless install, we check your panel and service for open breaker spaces and enough capacity for the new load alongside your AC, dryer, range and anything else you run. Some homes have room. Others need a panel or service upgrade first. If that is the case, we explain why and plan both jobs together so the work is done once.
Moving from an electric tank to electric tankless
The circuit that fed your old electric tank is usually far too small for a whole-house tankless unit. The job typically means new circuits from the panel, the breakers the model calls for, correctly sized wire and a disconnect where code requires one. A small point-of-use unit for a single sink needs less, but it still needs a properly sized circuit. We spell out which one your plan needs before any work starts.
Hot water during outages and generator planning
Houston storms bring outages, and hot water is one of the first things people miss. If you have a standby generator or plan to add one, your water heater should be part of the sizing conversation. As a Generac Prestige Dealer and electrical contractor, we can look at your water heater, panel and backup power as one plan. That way nothing gets left out of the plan.
Water Heater Replacement Permits, Code and Installation Day
A water heater replacement is more than unhooking one tank and hooking up another. It involves code requirements, safety parts and, in most of the area, a permit.
Do you need a permit to replace a water heater?
In most Houston area cities, replacing a water heater requires a permit and an inspection. Rules differ by city and county, and unpermitted work can cause trouble with insurance or when you sell the house. We handle the permit as part of the job and tell you what the inspection involves for your address. If an inspector asks for a correction, we take care of it. Keeping the permit on file also helps when you sell the house later.
Code items that often need updating
Older installations often lack parts that current code requires. Common updates include a properly piped temperature and pressure relief valve, a drain pan where a leak could cause damage, an expansion tank on some systems and correct wiring, breaker size and disconnect for the electric heater. We point out what your installation needs and why, before the work starts.
Water heater replacement steps on install day
We shut off the water, turn off the breaker, drain the old tank and disconnect it. Then we set the new heater, make the water and electrical connections and install any required safety parts. An electric tank is filled completely before the power goes on, because heating an empty tank burns out the elements. Last, we test for leaks, check the temperature and show you the shutoffs and the breaker.
Attic and garage installations
Many Houston homes have water heaters in the garage or the attic. Attic units take more care to remove and replace, and they need a drain pan and safe access. Tell us where yours is when you call, and send a photo if you can. It helps us plan the right crew and equipment for the job. We also check that the new unit fits the space and the access path.
Water Heater Replacement Cost Factors and Insurance Questions
We do not post a price, because no two installations match. Here is what actually drives the number and how to get a real one.
What drives water heater replacement cost
Cost depends on tank or tankless, the size of the unit, where it sits and how hard it is to reach, the code updates your installation needs, any new electrical circuit or panel work and the permit. Switching from an electric tank to electric tankless adds more work than a like-for-like swap. Every house is different, so a free visit gets you a written estimate.
Does homeowners insurance cover water heater replacement?
Policies vary a lot. Many cover sudden water damage from a leak but not the worn-out heater itself, and some have specific rules about age and maintenance. Call your insurance company to ask what your policy covers. If you file a claim, we can give you a written description of what we found and the work we did. Take photos of any damage before cleanup starts.
Rebates and water heater replacement assistance programs
Some utilities and programs have offered rebates or help for certain efficient water heaters, and those programs change. We do not quote them on this page. Ask your electric utility what is available now, and we will give you the model information they ask for. Check before you buy, because some programs require approval or a specific model first. Keep your receipt and the model and serial numbers, since most programs ask for them.
Should you replace your own water heater?
A water heater combines water, 240 volt power and a pressurized tank. Mistakes can mean flooding, shock, burned-out elements or a tank that is not protected against excess pressure. The job also usually needs a permit and an inspection. It is work for licensed professionals, and calling us costs you nothing for the estimate. Hire a licensed pro and let them handle the permit.
Upgrade Your Water Heater for Better Efficiency & Comfort
Is your current water heater struggling to keep up with your needs?
It might be time for an upgrade. Whether you’re running out of hot water too quickly, noticing rising energy bills, or your unit is simply outdated, we’re here to help you find the perfect solution.
Reliable Water Heater Replacement Services
When your water heater can no longer keep up—or worse, stops working altogether—it’s time to consider a replacement.
Whether your system is outdated, inefficient, or showing signs of wear, our team is here to provide fast, professional water heater replacement you can count on.
- Rheem Electric Tank Water Heater For homeowners who prefer a traditional tank, a Rheem electric water heater delivers consistent hot water with proven reliability. We remove the old unit, set the new one and make sure the 240 volt circuit, breaker and wiring match the heating elements on the new heater's label.
- Electric Tankless Water Heater An electric tankless water heater heats water as it flows, so it does not keep a tank hot all day, and it mounts on the wall. Whole-house electric tankless units draw a lot of power, and many need more than one dedicated circuit. We check your panel before you choose a model and wire it to the manufacturer's requirements.
From first call to finished job.
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