Water heater repair and replacement in Austin
Cold showers can't wait. We fix what's fixable, replace what isn't, and pull the City permit every time a tank comes out.
Signs your water heater is done
Water around the base
A leak from the tank itself, not a fitting, usually means the tank has corroded through. That only gets worse.
Runs out of hot water fast
Sediment buildup or a failed element shrinks the usable tank. Sometimes a flush fixes it, sometimes it's the end.
Rusty or smelly water
Rust-coloured hot water or a rotten-egg smell points at a spent anode rod or a tank rusting from inside.
Over 10 years old
Most tank heaters last about 8 to 12 years. Past 10, a repair is usually a short-term patch.
From your call to a comfortable house
- Gas, electric and heat pump water heaters
- City plumbing permit on every replacement
- Expansion tank, pan and venting checked to code
- Old tank hauled away
Call or book
Tell us what it's doing and whether it's gas or electric.
Diagnose and price
We test it and give you a repair price, plus a replacement price if it's due.
Permit and install
Replacements are permitted with the City and installed to code, usually the same day.
Haul away
We remove the old tank and leave the space clean.
The rebate most Austin homeowners miss
Heat pump water heaters: $1,000 back from Austin Energy
If you're an Austin Energy customer, an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater of 40 gallons or more qualifies for a $1,000 rebate when it replaces a unit at least 10 years old. It has to be permitted, and you apply within 90 days of purchase. Several sites still list the old $800 figure.
Gas, electric or heat pump?
If you have gas, a new gas tank or tankless unit is usually the simplest swap. If you're all-electric, a heat pump water heater uses far less power than a standard electric tank, and with the rebate the price gap closes fast.
Who's allowed to do this work
In Texas, installing or replacing a water heater is plumbing work and requires a licensed plumber. A handyman or an HVAC-only contractor can't legally do it, and an unpermitted swap can come up when you sell the house.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Austin?
Yes. The City of Austin requires a plumbing permit for water heater replacement, even like for like. We pull it as part of the job.
How long does a water heater last?
A typical tank lasts about 8 to 12 years. Hard water and skipped flushing shorten that.
Is there a rebate for a new water heater in Austin?
Austin Energy offers $1,000 for a qualifying ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater (40+ gallons) replacing a unit 10+ years old, permitted, applied for within 90 days. Gas utility rebates change, so we check what's current when we quote.
Can you replace it the same day?
Often, yes, for a standard tank swap when we have the size in stock. Tankless conversions and heat pump units usually take a scheduled install.
No hot water? We're a call away.
Book a visit online or call. You'll hear the diagnostic fee before we come and the price before we start.