If your water heater is leaking from the tank, more than about 10 years old, or can't keep up anymore, it's time to look at a replacement. The price depends mostly on two things: whether you stay with a tank or switch to tankless, and how much has to change in your house to make the new one fit. Our water heater repair and replacement team will show you the options and the price before any work starts. Here's what goes into that number so nothing surprises you.
Repair or replace?
Not every water heater problem means a new unit. A bad thermostat, a burned-out element on an electric heater, or a faulty gas valve can often be fixed.
Replacement makes more sense when:
Water is leaking from the tank itself, not a fitting or valve.
The tank is past 10 to 12 years old.
You see rust in the hot water or around the base.
It's needed repairs more than once in the last year or two.
Our post on when to repair or replace goes deeper on that call.
Tank vs tankless at a glance
How it works: A tank water heater heats and stores 40 to 80 gallons of water at a time, whereas a tankless unit heats water instantly as it flows through the system.
Lifespan & Cost: Tank water heaters offer a lower upfront cost and typically last 8 to 12 years. Tankless models have a higher initial cost but can last up to 20 years with proper upkeep.
Performance & Capacity: Tank units can run out of hot water during heavy usage. Tankless units provide continuous hot water, though they are bound by a maximum flow rate limit.
Space & Maintenance: Tank heaters require dedicated space in a closet, garage, or attic and need periodic tank flushing. Tankless units are compact wall-mounted systems that require regular descaling.
A tank is the simple, lower-cost swap. Tankless costs more upfront and lasts longer. If you're torn, read is a tankless water heater worth it for Louisiana homes.
What actually drives the price
Like-for-like or a change?
The simplest job is a same-size tank, same fuel, same spot. Swapping a 50-gallon gas tank for a new 50-gallon gas tank is mostly removal, set, connect, test.
Change the type, the size or the location, and the job grows.
Gas lines and venting
A gas tankless heater burns a lot more gas at full fire than a gas tank does. Many existing gas lines were sized for the old tank, so the line may need upsizing back to the meter. Tankless units also vent differently, so a new vent run is common. Because we do gas line repair and installation in-house, that's part of the same visit, not a second company.
Electrical capacity
Going electric tankless is where a lot of Acadiana homes hit a wall. Whole-house electric tankless units can need much more power than an electric tank, sometimes more than an older panel has to spare. That can mean a new dedicated circuit or a panel upgrade. We're plumbers and electricians, so we can tell you up front whether your panel can carry it.
Where it lives
Lots of homes around Lafayette and New Iberia have the water heater in the attic. Attic jobs take more time and care, and a drain pan with a drain line is a must so a future leak doesn't come through your ceiling. Garage and closet installs are simpler.
Code updates
Older installs often lack things a new install needs to pass inspection, like a proper relief valve drain line, an expansion tank, or updated venting. A permit is typically part of a water heater replacement.
The size you actually need
Bigger isn't always better. A family of five with a soaking tub needs more than a couple in a two-bathroom house. We size it to your household, not the biggest unit on the truck.
What a customer said
"Caleb gave me a quote with a few options. I requested the tankless installation for the following month. He called the day before to confirm and the installation was done in a day. He kept me informed about the process." Mary C., Google review
That's how it should go: options first, a price you agree to, then the work.
Signs you should plan a replacement now, not later
If your tank is over 10 years old and you've got company coming for the holidays, a heater that's already struggling won't get better with more showers. Ten minutes of checking now beats a cold shower on Thanksgiving morning. Look for:
A rumbling or popping sound when it heats (sediment).
Hot water running out faster than it used to.
Rusty water from the hot side only.
Damp spots or rust around the bottom of the tank.
If you see water pooling under the tank, don't wait. Shut off the water supply to the heater and give us a call at (337) 364-2980.
How we handle a replacement
You schedule service. Call or book online.
We look and give you options. A licensed plumber checks your current setup, your gas or electrical capacity, and your hot water needs. There's no charge for us to come out and give you an estimate.
You see the price first. Tank and tankless options, side by side, before any work starts.
We install, haul away the old one, and clean up. Most repairs are backed by our 5-year workmanship warranty.
If spreading out the cost helps, ask about financing. VIP Protection members get an annual water heater flush, which helps the new one last.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a water heater replacement take?
A same-type tank swap usually takes a few hours. Switching to tankless takes longer, especially if gas, venting, or electrical work is involved.
Is tankless worth it in Louisiana?
It can be if you plan to stay in the house a while, want endless hot water, or need the floor space. If you want the lowest upfront cost, a tank usually wins.
Can I switch from electric to gas, or gas to electric?
Often, yes. It depends on whether gas is available at your home and whether your electrical panel can handle the load. We check both on the same visit.
Why don't you list prices online?
Because every house is different, and a number on a website rarely matches what your home actually needs. We'd rather look, show you your options, and give you the real price before any work starts.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?
Usually, yes. Most local permit offices require one for a water heater replacement, and we pull it when it's required.
Ready to stop guessing about your water heater?
If yours is leaking, old, or can't keep up, schedule service with Pipes & Plugs or call (337) 364-2980. A licensed plumber will walk you through tank and tankless options and give you the price before any work starts. We serve New Iberia, Lafayette, and the towns around them.