Water Heater Replacement Cost in Round Rock & Austin: Real Prices, Real Tiers, No Sales Tricks
A water heater replacement from Koala Cooling & Plumbing costs $2,766 to $5,063 installed for 40- and 50-gallon gas and electric tanks, $6,398 to $7,626 for a Navien tankless, and $8,283 and up for an 80-gallon heat pump. Every installed price includes removal and the permit, and Koala Club members save 10%.
There’s a question we hear more than almost any other: “How much is this going to cost me?”
We love that question. Not because it’s easy to answer — it isn’t — but because it tells us the homeowner is doing their homework. And homeowners who do their homework end up making better decisions, having better experiences, and feeling better about what they spent.
So here’s the most complete water heater replacement pricing guide you’ll find in Round Rock or Greater Austin. Real numbers. Real equipment. Real installed prices for our three system tiers, because Koala Cooling & Plumbing believes an informed homeowner makes a better customer — and a better customer makes for a better long-term working relationship.
Being this transparent is scary for us, because any company can look at this page and undercut our prices by a few dollars. What they can’t replicate is the way we install, the licensed plumbers who do the work, the permits we pull, and the team standing behind every job. Price is what you pay once. Quality is what you live with for as long as you own it.
Why Water Heater Quotes Vary So Much
Before we get to numbers, let’s talk about why two neighbors with similar homes can get water heater quotes that differ by thousands of dollars. Three variables drive almost all of it.
1. Tank vs. Tankless
A traditional tank water heater stores 40–80 gallons of hot water and is the most affordable, straightforward option — the right choice for most homes. A tankless unit heats water on demand, never runs out, lasts longer (often 20 years vs. 8–12 for a tank), and saves space — but costs more up front and, in our hard Central Texas water, needs annual descaling to reach that long lifespan. We’ll help you decide which makes sense for your home and budget.
2. Gas vs. Electric
Your fuel source largely determines your equipment and your price. Gas units heat faster and cost less to run where natural gas is available; electric units (including high-efficiency heat-pump models) are the right answer for all-electric homes. Replacing like-for-like is usually most economical; switching fuel types adds cost for new gas, venting, or electrical.
3. Code Upgrades Your Home May Need
Older Central Texas homes often need code-required upgrades when the water heater is replaced — an expansion tank, a catch pan and drain, a full-port drain valve, or updated gas and water shut-off valves. Our higher tiers build these in. If your home needs them, we disclose it in writing at your estimate, before any work begins.
Our Three System Tiers
We organize our installed water heaters into three tiers. The names describe what you actually get — not just what the equipment costs.
Essential
Reliable, code-compliant, and built to last. Includes drain-down and removal of your old unit, professional installation, and a new water heater that meets current EPA energy-saving requirements. The right choice when you want quality and a proper install without paying for upgrades your home may not need.
Warranty: 6-year tank / 2-year parts / 2-year labor
Enhanced
A meaningful step up. Everything in Essential, plus we update gas and water valves as needed, install a catch pan (attached to drain), a full-port drain valve, upgraded elements, and a new expansion tank — the code upgrades most older homes eventually need, built right in.
Warranty: 6-year tank / 6-year parts / 6-year labor
Ultimate
The most complete installation we offer. Everything in Enhanced, plus a new gas service valve and new hot & cold shut-off valves — a fully modernized, worry-free water heater connection from end to end, backed by our strongest warranty.
Warranty: 10-year tank / 10-year parts / 10-year labor
Discounts
Unlike AC replacement, water heater pricing isn’t seasonal — a failed water heater is an emergency any time of year, and our prices stay consistent. But two discounts are available:
- 10% off for Koala Club members, verified veterans, or senior citizens (one of these — they don’t stack with each other).
- 5% off for cash payment (ACH, check, or cash — not credit cards, not financing).
The 10% category discount and the 5% cash discount apply sequentially: first the 10% comes off the base price, then the 5% comes off the post-discount price. The pricing tables below show your final price at each level.
What Does Water Heater Replacement Actually Cost?
All prices below are fully installed and include the water heater, labor, permits, drain-down and removal of your old unit, all standard installation materials, and applicable taxes. No hidden fees and no surprises. These are our actual prices for Round Rock and Greater Austin — not national averages.
Gas Water Heater Pricing
Essential — 6-yr tank / 2-yr parts / 2-yr labor
| Model | Base Price | Less 10% (if applicable) | Less 5% Cash (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon Standard Vent | $3,246 | $2,921 | $2,775 |
| 50 Gallon Standard Vent | $3,553 | $3,198 | $3,038 |
| 50 Gallon Power Vent | $6,589 | $5,930 | $5,634 |
| Navien NPE-180 Tankless (valve kit, no recirculation) | $6,398 | $5,758 | $5,470 |
| Navien NPE-240 Tankless | $7,626 | $6,863 | $6,520 |
Enhanced — 6-yr tank / 6-yr parts / 6-yr labor
| Model | Base Price | Less 10% (if applicable) | Less 5% Cash (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon Standard Vent | $3,498 | $3,148 | $2,991 |
| 50 Gallon Standard Vent | $4,220 | $3,798 | $3,608 |
| 50 Gallon Power Vent | $7,333 | $6,600 | $6,270 |
Ultimate — 10-yr tank / 10-yr parts / 10-yr labor
| Model | Base Price | Less 10% (if applicable) | Less 5% Cash (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon Standard Vent | $4,198 | $3,778 | $3,589 |
| 50 Gallon Standard Vent | $5,063 | $4,557 | $4,329 |
Tankless pricing assumes adequate gas supply to the existing unit and existing vent through the roof. If upgrades are required, we disclose the cost in writing before any work begins.
Electric Water Heater Pricing
Essential — 6-yr tank / 2-yr parts / 2-yr labor
| Model | Base Price | Less 10% (if applicable) | Less 5% Cash (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon Med/Tall | $2,766 | $2,489 | $2,365 |
| 50 Gallon Med/Tall | $2,766 | $2,489 | $2,365 |
| 40 Gallon Low Boy | $3,043 | $2,739 | $2,602 |
| 50 Gallon Low Boy | $3,198 | $2,878 | $2,734 |
| 80 Gallon Heat Pump | $8,283 | $7,455 | $7,082 |
Enhanced — 6-yr tank / 6-yr parts / 6-yr labor
| Model | Base Price | Less 10% (if applicable) | Less 5% Cash (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon Med/Tall | $3,274 | $2,947 | $2,800 |
| 50 Gallon Med/Tall | $3,274 | $2,947 | $2,800 |
| 40 Gallon Low Boy | $3,322 | $2,990 | $2,840 |
| 50 Gallon Low Boy | $3,871 | $3,484 | $3,310 |
| 80 Gallon Heat Pump | $9,203 | $8,283 | $7,869 |
Ultimate — 10-yr tank / 10-yr parts / 10-yr labor
| Model | Base Price | Less 10% (if applicable) | Less 5% Cash (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Gallon Med/Tall | $3,921 | $3,529 | $3,353 |
| 50 Gallon Med/Tall | $3,921 | $3,529 | $3,353 |
| 40 Gallon Low Boy | $4,160 | $3,744 | $3,557 |
| 50 Gallon Low Boy | $4,443 | $3,999 | $3,799 |
| 80 Gallon Heat Pump | $10,227 | $9,204 | $8,744 |
Other sizes and configurations (point-of-use, 80-gallon standard, indirect, and additional tankless models) are available — just ask for a quote.
Common Add-Ons
Some homes need extra work to bring a new water heater up to code or to fit a different location. These add-ons are priced by difficulty; the figures below are our starting prices, and your technician shows you the exact price in writing before any work begins.
| Add-on | Standard Price | Koala Club Price |
|---|---|---|
| Expansion tank | From $486 | From $437 |
| Catch pan with drain | From $328 | From $295 |
| Gas line upgrade | From $610 | From $549 |
| Vent upgrade, PVC | From $610 | From $549 |
| Vent upgrade, B-vent | From $736 | From $662 |
| Condensate upgrade | From $304 | From $274 |
| Recirculation pump | From $2,206 | From $1,985 |
| Mixing valve | From $1,246 | From $1,121 |
| Relocate water heater | From $1,113 | From $1,002 |
| Quick-drain full-port valve | From $355 | From $320 |
| Emergency leak alarm | From $486 | From $437 |
| Equipment pad | From $180 | From $162 |
| LP gas conversion | From $230 | From $207 |
| Job requires a second technician | From $499 | From $449 |
Water Heater Repair Prices
Not ready to replace? These are our most common water heater repairs. Repair prices do not include a permit, and a $131 service fee applies to each visit ($49 for Koala Club members, waived when you have paid work done). See our water heater repair page for more.
| Repair | Standard Price | Koala Club Price |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater flush | $438 | $394 |
| Replace both electric elements | $708 | $637 |
| Replace anode rod | $708 | $637 |
| Replace both elements and thermostats | $915 | $824 |
| Install expansion tank and T&P valve | $720 | $648 |
| Repair leak on top of water heater | $720 | $648 |
| Replace hot/cold water shutoff valve | $180 | $162 |
Estimated Monthly Payments
We partner with several lenders for financing. Standard rates as of this writing:
- 10-year term at 9.99% APR
- 15-year term at 11.99% APR
Approvals are typically returned in a few minutes. We also offer a 6-month plan with no interest if paid in full within 6 months (interest applies if the balance is not paid in full by then). See our Financing page for all four plans.
Sample monthly payments at base price:
- $4,000 financed for 10 years at 9.99% ≈ $53/month
- $7,000 financed for 10 years at 9.99% ≈ $92/month
- $7,000 financed for 15 years at 11.99% ≈ $84/month
- $10,000 financed for 10 years at 9.99% ≈ $132/month
See our Financing page for current options and program details.
A Note About Pricing and Site Conditions
The prices above include everything for a standard installation. Most of the time there are no additional charges, but occasionally we have to perform work that must be added to the price. We always disclose it at the free estimate, in writing, before any work begins:
- Tankless gas or venting upgrades. Tankless pricing assumes adequate gas supply to the existing unit and an existing vent through the roof. If your home needs a larger gas line or new venting, we add that cost in writing before you approve.
- Electrical upgrades. If a circuit or breaker needs to be upsized (common with heat-pump water heaters), we bring in a licensed electrician, and that cost is added in writing before you approve.
- Code-required upgrades. Older homes sometimes need an expansion tank, catch pan, or updated shut-off valves to pass inspection. Our Enhanced and Ultimate tiers build these in; on Essential, if your home requires them, we disclose the cost up front.
That’s it. No “fuel surcharges,” no “permit handling fees,” no last-minute add-ons. The price you see is the price you pay.
All Work Includes Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Every job we do — every repair, every install, every service call — is backed by our written 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If we can’t make you happy, we’ll remove our equipment and refund every dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace a water heater in Round Rock?
It depends on tank vs. tankless, fuel type, size, and which tier you choose — but you don’t have to guess. Our full installed pricing is published above, from $2,766 for a standard electric tank to $7,626 for a Navien NPE-240 tankless, and $8,283 and up for an 80-gallon heat pump water heater. You’ll know your price before anyone comes to your home.
How long does a water heater replacement take?
Most replacements are completed in about 2 to 4 hours. If code upgrades or venting changes are needed, it may take longer — we’ll give you a clear timeline before we start.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
If your unit is under 8 years old and the repair is minor, repair usually makes sense. Older units, or any unit with a leaking tank, are usually better replaced. We’ll give you both options honestly — see our water heater repair page for repair details.
Is tankless worth the extra cost?
For many homes, yes — endless hot water, a smaller footprint, and a longer lifespan. The trade-offs are a higher upfront price and, in our hard water, the need for annual descaling. We’ll help you run the math for your situation. Learn more on our water heater installation page.
Do you pull permits?
Yes. Every installation price on this page includes the permit, and we make sure your installation meets local building codes and safety standards. Repair prices do not include a permit.
Do you offer financing for water heater replacement?
Yes — including options with no monthly interest if paid in full within 6 months. Many homeowners are approved in minutes. See our Financing page.
What brands do you install?
We install quality, code-compliant gas and electric tank water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and Navien NPE-180 and NPE-240 tankless units. We’re a Navien Certified Installer, and we’ll match the right equipment to your home and budget.
The Bottom Line
A failed water heater is one of those problems that can’t wait — and you shouldn’t have to make a rushed, blind decision under pressure. You deserve to know exactly what you’re getting and what it costs before anyone shows up at your door.
The right water heater for your home depends on your fuel source, your hot-water needs, how long you plan to stay, and how much you value longevity and efficiency versus upfront cost. There’s a right answer for your specific situation, and any Koala Cooling & Plumbing technician will help you find it.
Lots of companies in Central Texas can beat us on price. No one can beat us on customer service. After all, we are Koala-fied.
Have more questions or want to talk through your options?
