If you smell gas near the heater
A gas smell changes everything. Price comes second.
Leave the home
Take everyone and pets outside right away. Do not turn lights or appliances on or off.
Call 911 from outside
Report the gas smell from a safe distance, away from the building.
Call the gas company
After 911, call the gas utility's emergency number printed on your bill. We do not know which utility serves your address, so use the one on your statement.
Stay out until cleared
Do not go back in until responders say it is safe. Then call a plumber for the repair or replacement.
No heater is worth a gas leak. Everything below is for a calm, planned replacement.
What drives the price of a gas tank replacement
The unit itself is only part of the bill. Labor, parts, haul-away, and any code corrections around the heater make up the rest. The table shows typical ballparks that change with the job.
| Replacement type | Typical installed ballpark |
|---|---|
| 40 gallon gas tank, standard venting | Often about 1,400 to 2,600 dollars |
| 50 gallon gas tank, standard venting | Often about 1,600 to 3,000 dollars |
| Power-vent gas tank | Often about 2,500 to 4,500 dollars |
| Gas tankless | Often about 3,000 to 6,500 dollars or more |
- Tank sizeA 40 gallon tank costs less than a 50 or 75 gallon. Choose by household size, not by habit. A family of four often needs 50 gallons or more.
- Efficiency and featuresHigher-efficiency and power-vent models cost more up front and may lower the gas bill.
- VentingA standard atmospheric heater uses a metal flue. A power-vent unit uses PVC and an electric fan, which needs an outlet and can add labor.
- LocationA garage install is simple. An attic, closet, or second-floor install takes more time, and a pan and drain may be needed.
- Code itemsA new shutoff, a sediment trap on the gas line, a relief valve and discharge pipe, a drain pan, and flex connectors may all be needed.
- PermitAsk the City Building and Fire Safety Department whether a permit applies to your swap.
Ranges are typical ballparks only and change with the job. The price is stated clearly before work starts, once a technician has looked at the heater, the venting, and the gas line.
Tank, power vent, or tankless: what you pay for
The choice you make before the visit changes the total more than any other step. Here is how the three common gas options compare.
| Type | Upfront cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tank | Lowest | Needs a flue and combustion air, simple to service |
| Power-vent tank | Middle | Vents through PVC, needs an electric outlet, more flexible on location |
| Gas tankless | Highest | Endless hot water within flow limits, needs a larger gas line and a vent upgrade |
Signs the old heater is nearly done
Plan for a replacement before it fails and floods the garage.
A few of these signs together, such as age plus a wet base, mean you should price a replacement now. Write down the model and serial number from the label, and note the tank size in gallons, to speed up quotes.
- The tank is 10 to 12 years old or more. The serial number often encodes the build date.
- Water pools around the base of the tank, a sign the inner shell may be leaking.
- Rusty hot water from the tap.
- Rumbling or popping from sediment at the bottom of the tank.
- The pilot light keeps going out, or the flame looks yellow instead of blue.
- The relief valve drips or the area around the flue is scorched.
Repair or replace: a quick way to decide
A leaking shell cannot be fixed, so that is a replacement. A bad thermocouple, thermostat, or gas valve is a repair, often a few hundred dollars. If the tank is past about 10 years and the repair costs more than a third of a new heater, replacement usually makes more sense.
If you are unsure, a technician can tell you in a single visit. A water heater repair call can sort out a pilot or valve fault before you spend on a new unit.
What Altamonte Springs homeowners should know about gas and permits
The City Building and Fire Safety Department, at (407) 571-8446, handles building permits, and the city lists a stand-alone plumbing permit type. We could not confirm from city pages whether a water heater swap needs one, so ask the department before the work starts.
Which gas company serves your address is not something we can state, so use the name on your gas bill for emergencies and meter questions. Florida's plumbing code in effect now is the 8th Edition (2023), and its published analysis lists changes to temperature-limiting rules in sections 607.1.1 and 607.1.2. Your installer should explain how those apply.
What the installer does on replacement day
The crew shuts off the gas and water, drains the old tank, and disconnects the flue and lines. They set the new heater, connect new water lines and the relief valve discharge, reconnect gas with a new sediment trap if needed, and leak-test every fitting.
Then they relight the burner, check the draft at the flue, and set the thermostat. Most swaps take about 2 to 4 hours. Ask for a written line-by-line description of what is included. The details are covered in our water heater replacement service.
How to compare quotes fairly
Put the quotes side by side and check that each covers the same items. One may include a new gas shutoff and a drain pan, another may not. A low number that leaves out code items is not a bargain.
Ask these questions: Which brand and model? What is the warranty on the tank and on labor? Does it include permit handling, haul-away, new connectors, and an expansion tank if the system is closed? Check that the contractor holds a Florida plumbing license on the DBPR website, since unlicensed contracting is against state law.
Extras that can change the final bill
Some homes need a new drain pan and pan drain line. Others need a thermal expansion tank, a new gas shutoff, or a larger flue. Old flex connectors and corroded fittings are normally replaced rather than reused.
Haul-away of the old tank is sometimes included and sometimes billed separately. Ask what happens to the old heater and whether the quote lists each item, so there are no surprises on the day.
Switching from gas to electric or tankless
A gas heater can be replaced by an electric tank, but that usually needs a dedicated 240 volt circuit and a breaker, which adds electrician cost. Going to gas tankless often needs a larger gas line and new venting. Each change can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to the total.
If you are weighing a new layout or a unit in a different spot, consider a planned water heater installation visit. Homeowners in Winter Springs and Lake Mary can call the same 24/7 line when a tank fails on a weekend.
Gas heater cost questions
Many tank units last about 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality, sediment, and upkeep. A yearly flush can help.
It depends on local gas and electric rates. Compare the yellow EnergyGuide label on each model and use your own utility rates.
Gas work carries real risk, including leaks and carbon monoxide. Venting and gas connections should be done by a licensed professional, and some jobs need a permit.
It varies by jurisdiction and scope. In Altamonte Springs, contact the Building and Fire Safety Department at (407) 571-8446 to confirm before work starts.
Shut off the water supply to the heater, turn the gas control to off, and call our 24/7 line at (407) 964-8940. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 first.