How much does water heater replacement cost in Madison?
By Our research team · Last verified · Methodology
Most 40–50 gallon tank water heater replacements in Madison cost $700–$2,650 installed, with $1,550 the typical bill. A plain electric swap starts near $690; a gas tank with code fixes can reach $2,650.
How we get this data- Typical
- $1,550
- Low end
- $515
- High end
- $3,450
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Get my fair quote →The typical Madison price is $1,550, 14% below the US typical of $1,800.
Madison's price band
Madison is cheaper than 42% of the 195 US metros we price for water heater work.
Replacing a 40–50 gal tank in Madison costs $700–$2,650, and $1,550 is what most homeowners pay. Gas tanks sit at the top of that band, electric tanks at the bottom. Going tankless costs $1,800–$5,050; a heat pump model $1,850–$5,050.
Basement gas tanks are the norm in Madison, and winter inlet water is cold, so tankless units need extra capacity. Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide program, offers heat pump water heater incentives; check the current amount.
Every installed price here covers the tank, labor, standard connections and haul-away. Code fixes such as an expansion tank ($90–$355) or new venting are extra, and a permit is required in most of the metro.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: Water heater replacement cost in the USA.
$700–$2,650 to replace a 40–50 gal tank water heater in Madison, installed — typically $1,550. Electric tanks run $690–$2,150, gas tanks $945–$2,650, and whole-home tankless gas $1,800–$5,050. Verified November 2026. Get free Madison quotes →
- 40–50 gal tank, installed: $700–$2,650 ($1,550 typical)
- Electric tank $690–$2,150; gas tank $945–$2,650
- Whole-home tankless gas: $1,800–$5,050; 50-gal heat pump: $1,850–$5,050 before rebates
- Repairs $130–$605; permit $45–$280; emergency swap $870–$3,100
- Priciest area to work in: Downtown, State Street & the Isthmus; lowest quotes: UW campus & the Near West
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 36+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Installed prices include the tank, labor, standard connections and haul-away unless the row says otherwise. Madison metro, re-verified November 2026. The running-cost row uses the US average electricity rate.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank water heater replacement, 40–50 galinstalled | $700installed | $1,550 | $2,650 |
| Electric tank, 40–50 galinstalled | $690installed | $1,300 | $2,150 |
| Gas tank, 40–50 galinstalled | $945installed | $1,700 | $2,650 |
| Large tank, 75–80 galinstalled | $1,050installed | $2,150 | $3,550 |
| Whole-home tankless gas (replacing a tank)installed | $1,800installed | $3,150 | $5,050 |
| Heat pump water heater, 50 gal, installed (replacing an electric tank)installed | $1,850installed | $3,050 | $5,050 |
| Heat pump water heater, 50 gal, before rebates (switching from gas, new 240V circuit)installed | $2,100installed | $3,650 | $6,800 |
| Heat pump water heater, 50 gal, after a typical utility rebateinstalled | $850installed | $2,400 | $4,750 |
| Heat pump water heater, 65–80 galinstalled | $2,400installed | $3,600 | $5,500 |
| Solar water heater with backup tankinstalled | $2,300installed | $4,600 | $8,250 |
| Point-of-use electric tankless (one sink)installed | $355installed | $665 | $1,350 |
| Tank water heater, unit only (40–50 gal)unit only | $445unit only | $790 | $1,950 |
| Emergency same-day replacement, 40–50 gal tankinstalled | $870installed | $1,850 | $3,100 |
| Old tank haul-away and disposalper job | $65per job | $175 | $350 |
| Permit and inspectionper job | $45per job | $115 | $280 |
| Expansion tankinstalled | $90installed | $220 | $355 |
| Seismic strapping (California and quake zones)installed | $90installed | $175 | $265 |
| Thermostatic mixing valveinstalled | $220installed | $335 | $440 |
| Venting upgrade or power-vent conversion (gas)per job | $265per job | $710 | $1,350 |
| Gas-to-electric switch: new 240V circuit (long run to the heater)per job | $265per job | $615 | $1,750 |
| Water heater repair (element, thermostat, igniter, gas valve)per job | $130per job | $390 | $605 |
| Anode rod replacementper job | $130per job | $215 | $300 |
| Tankless flush and descaleper job | $85per job | $170 | $300 |
| Electric tank running cost per year (US average rate)per year | $445per year | $645 | $980 |
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Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 36+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices cover the Madison metro. Outlying towns can run 5–10% lower; older buildings in Downtown, State Street & the Isthmus sit at the top of each range.
Water heater replacement prices across Madison
Same tank, four price bands. Access, parking and older code issues push Downtown, State Street & the Isthmus to the top; UW campus & the Near West sits at or below the city typical.
Downtown, State Street & the Isthmus
- Installed
- $755–$2,950 installed
- Typical job
- $1,450–$2,000 / 50-gal tank swap
Older buildings, tight closets and tricky parking. Expect extra time to carry the old tank out, venting or code fixes on older installs, and building rules on when work can happen.
South Madison & Park Street
- Installed
- $720–$2,800 installed
- Typical job
- $1,400–$1,900 / 50-gal tank swap
Renovated older homes. Plumbers here often find undersized gas lines or tired venting, which is where the quote climbs.
UW campus & the Near West
- Installed
- $665–$2,550 installed
- Typical job
- $1,300–$1,750 / 50-gal tank swap
Rentals and older houses. Landlord jobs tend to be fast like-for-like swaps of 40-gal tanks, which keeps prices a little under the city average.
Sun Prairie, Middleton & the suburbs
- Installed
- $700–$2,750 installed
- Typical job
- $1,350–$1,850 / 50-gal tank swap
Bigger homes with garage tanks and easy access. Swaps are quick, but 50 to 75-gal tanks and two-tank homes are common, which lifts the bill.
Real-World Water Heater Costs in Madison
Here's what common water heater jobs cost in Madison in 2026, installed, with standard connections and haul-away.
Electric 50-gal tank, same spot — 2–3 hours
Drain, disconnect, carry out, set the new tank, new connectors, test. With the haul-away included, most Madison plumbers land here. Add $90–$355 if the inspector wants an expansion tank.
Gas 40–50 gal tank with code fixes — 3–4 hours
The tank plus a new vent connector, gas flex line, drain pan and expansion tank. A plain gas swap starts at $945; each code fix adds a line to the quote. A power-vent conversion is another $265–$1,350.
Gas tank to whole-home tankless — half to full day
New wall-hung unit, new venting through the wall or roof and often a bigger gas line. Expect a yearly descale at $85–$300, more if the water is hard.
Electric tank to heat pump water heater — 2–8 hours
Same 240V circuit, plus a condensate drain. After a typical utility rebate the net is about $2,400. Switching from gas usually needs a new circuit and runs $2,100–$6,800.
Leaking tank, replaced the same day
After-hours and same-day calls bill at a premium. Shut the cold-water valve at the top of the tank and turn off the gas or breaker, then compare two quotes if you can wait until morning.
How much does water heater replacement cost in Madison?
Between $700 and $2,650 for a 40–50 gal tank, installed, and $1,550 is the price most Madison homeowners pay. The tank itself is $445–$1,950 at a store; the rest is labor, fittings, the permit and haul-away. Gas tanks cost more than electric because of venting and the gas connection.
Moving up costs more. Whole-home tankless gas runs $1,800–$5,050, a heat pump water heater $1,850–$5,050 before rebates, and a 75–80 gal tank $1,050–$3,550. Prices re-checked against 36 sources in November 2026.
Water heater prices in Madison (2026): tank, tankless and heat pump
A 40–50 gal tank costs $700–$2,650 installed, whole-home tankless gas $1,800–$5,050, and a 50-gal heat pump model $1,850–$5,050 before rebates.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric tank, 40–50 gal | $690 | $1,300 | $2,150 |
| Gas tank, 40–50 gal | $945 | $1,700 | $2,650 |
| Large tank, 75–80 gal | $1,050 | $2,150 | $3,550 |
| Whole-home tankless gas (replacing a tank) | $1,800 | $3,150 | $5,050 |
| Heat pump water heater, 50 gal (electric swap) | $1,850 | $3,050 | $5,050 |
| Heat pump, 50 gal, after a typical rebate | $850 | $2,400 | $4,750 |
| Emergency same-day tank replacement | $870 | $1,850 | $3,100 |
| Tank only, no install (40–50 gal) | $445 | $790 | $1,950 |
Gas vs electric in Madison: a gas tank costs about $400 more to install than an electric one, but runs for about $275 a year against $645 at the US average rates. If you have gas, stay on gas unless you're going heat pump.
What moves a water heater quote in Madison:
- Fuel — gas tanks need venting and a gas connection; electric tanks are the quicker swap ($1,300 vs $1,700 typical).
- Size — moving from 50 to 75–80 gal adds about $600 to the typical bill.
- Access — attic, crawlspace and tight-closet tanks take longer than garage tanks.
- Code fixes — expansion tank $90–$355, venting $265–$1,350, seismic straps where required.
- Timing — a same-day emergency swap costs $300 more than a booked one at the typical price.
Ask every Madison plumber for the same five things: tank brand and size, what's included (haul-away, permit, connectors), any code fixes, the warranty on parts and labor, and the start date. Compare those, not the headline price. Get a quote for your water heater job →
Water Heater Cost in Madison by Household Size
One or two people: a 40-gal tank at $690–$1,700. Three or four: a 50-gal tank at $700–$2,650. Five or more: a 75–80 gal tank at $1,050–$3,550 or tankless gas at $1,800–$5,050.
Worked example: a family of four in Madison replacing a 50-gal gas tank pays about $1,700 installed and about $275 a year in gas at the US average rate. Over 10 years that's about $4,450. The same family on an electric tank pays about $1,300 up front and $645 a year — about $7,750 over 10 years.
A heat pump water heater at $2,400 after a typical rebate runs about $215 a year — about $4,550 over 10 years, far below the electric tank and close to gas, so it pays best in an all-electric home.
Madison Water Heater Costs by Type
| Water heater type | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Electric tank (40–50 gal) | $690–$2,150 installed | Homes without gas. About $645 a year to run at the US average rate; lasts 8–12 years. |
| Gas tank (40–50 gal) | $945–$2,650 installed | Homes with a gas line. About $275 a year to run; lasts 8–12 years. |
| Large tank (75–80 gal) | $1,050–$3,550 installed | Five or more people or a big tub. A big household on gas spends about $425 a year; lasts 8–12 years. |
| Whole-home tankless gas | $1,800–$5,050 installed | Endless hot water in less space. About $185 a year to run; often lasts 20 years or more with yearly descaling. |
| Whole-home tankless electric | $905–$4,050 installed | Small homes with spare electric capacity. About $605 a year; needs heavy circuits; often lasts 20 years or more. |
| Heat pump water heater (50 gal), switching from gas | $2,100–$6,800 installed | Gas homes going electric: usually adds a new 240V circuit. About $215 a year to run. |
| Heat pump water heater (50 gal) | $1,850–$5,050 installed | Electric homes with a garage or basement. About $215 a year to run; stores water in a tank, so it needs the same anode and flush care. |
| Solar with backup tank | $2,300–$8,250 installed | Sunny areas. Backup heat about $255 a year; the storage tank lasts about as long as a standard tank. |
| Point-of-use electric (one sink) | $355–$1,350 installed | A far bathroom or kitchen sink that waits too long for hot water. Pennies a day to run; tankless units often last 20 years or more. |
Tank price vs installed price — the Madison water heater bill
A 50-gal tank costs $445–$1,950 at a big-box store, but the installed price in Madison is $700–$2,650. The difference pays for a licensed plumber's two to four hours, new connectors and valves, the permit ($45–$280) and haul-away ($65–$350).
Buying your own tank rarely saves much. Many plumbers won't warranty a customer-supplied tank, and some charge more for labor-only. A quote for a tank they supply, at $1,550, usually includes a labor warranty you won't get otherwise.
What's included in a Madison water heater quote (and what costs extra)
A standard installed price covers the new tank, a licensed plumber, draining and removing the old tank, new water connectors and a new gas flex line or electrical hookup, and a test run. The headline price often leaves out:
- Permit and inspection — $45–$280, required for a water heater swap in most of the US
- Expansion tank — $90–$355, often required when the home has a pressure regulator or check valve
- Venting or a power-vent conversion — $265–$1,350 on older or relocated gas installs
- Fuel switch — $265–$1,750 for a new 240V circuit if you go from gas to electric or heat pump
Ask whether haul-away of the old tank is included; most plumbers include it, some charge extra.
Gas or electric
An electric tank swap costs $690–$2,150 in Madison; a gas tank $945–$2,650. Gas needs venting and a gas connection, both licensed work, and that is most of the gap.
Where the tank sits
A garage tank is the cheapest swap in Madison. Basements with narrow stairs, crawlspaces and small closets add labor, and moving the tank to a new spot costs more again.
Code upgrades
The most common add-ons at a Madison swap are an expansion tank ($90–$355) on homes with a check valve or pressure regulator, a drain pan where a leak would cause damage, and new venting on older gas installs.
Water hardness
Hard water shortens tank life everywhere it occurs. Ask your plumber about local water hardness; an anode rod ($130–$300) and a yearly flush keep a tank going 8–12 years.
Cold inlet water and tankless sizing
Winter inlet water in Wisconsin can drop into the 40s °F, so a whole-home tankless unit must lift it 70°F or more. That means a bigger, pricier unit ($1,800–$5,050 installed) and often a larger gas line.
Is a heat pump a good fit here?
A heat pump water heater pulls heat from the room. The US Department of Energy says the space should stay between 40°F and 90°F with about 1,000 cubic feet of air; a Madison basement or garage that stays above 40°F works, and the unit will cool the space a little.
Planned vs emergency
A booked swap costs $700–$2,650; a same-day emergency job $870–$3,100. Tanks give warning signs — rusty water, rumbling, a damp base — so replacing at 10–12 years saves the premium.
- Replace before it fails.A planned swap at $1,550 costs less than an emergency one at $1,850. If your tank is past 10 years, get quotes now.
- Stay with the same fuel and size.A like-for-like swap is the cheapest job in Madison. Changing fuel adds $265–$1,750 for a new circuit, and gas lines or venting add more.
- Check for a utility rebate before you buy.Many utilities pay toward a heat pump water heater, some only through approved contractors or with a permit on file. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025, so check your utility and state instead.
- Ask for an itemized quote.Haul-away ($65–$350) and the permit ($45–$280) should be on the quote, not a surprise on the invoice.
- Repair if the tank is young.A failed element, thermostat or igniter on a tank under eight years old is a $130–$605 fix, not a new tank.
- Get two quotes.Prices for the same tank swap in Madison spread from $700 to $2,650. Two written quotes is the easiest way to land near $1,550.
Madison plumbers often quote by phone. Before you pay a deposit, get these in writing:
- Tank brand, model, size and fuel type
- What the price includes: removal and haul-away, new connectors, gas line or electrical hookup
- Permit and inspection, and who pulls the permit
- Any code fixes: expansion tank, drain pan, venting, seismic straps where required
- Tank warranty and the plumber's labor warranty
- Whether same-day or after-hours fees apply
- For tankless or heat pump: venting, gas line size, new circuits and condensate drain
- Start date, time on site and payment terms
How much does it cost to replace a water heater in Madison?
$700–$2,650 for a 40–50 gal tank, installed, and $1,550 is typical. Electric tanks run $690–$2,150, gas tanks $945–$2,650.
How much is a tankless water heater in Madison?
$1,800–$5,050 installed for whole-home tankless gas when replacing a tank, about $3,150 typical. The price includes new venting and often a bigger gas line.
What does a heat pump water heater cost in Madison?
$1,850–$5,050 for a 50-gal model replacing an electric tank, or $2,100–$6,800 when switching from gas and adding a 240V circuit. After a typical utility rebate, about $2,400.
Is there still a federal tax credit for a new water heater?
No. The federal 25C credit for heat pump water heaters ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025, and the 25D credit for solar water heaters ended for money spent after that date. Utility and state rebates still exist in many areas; check yours before you buy.
How much does water heater repair cost in Madison?
$130–$605 to replace an element, thermostat, igniter or gas valve. An anode rod is $130–$300. If the tank itself is leaking, it has to be replaced.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Madison?
In most cases, yes. Water heaters involve gas or high-voltage power and pressure relief, so most US cities require a permit and inspection. Expect $45–$280; your plumber usually pulls it.
How much is an emergency water heater replacement in Madison?
$870–$3,100 for a same-day swap of a 40–50 gal tank, against $700–$2,650 booked ahead. After-hours rates are the main difference.
Should I pick gas or electric in Madison?
Stay with what you have unless you're switching to a heat pump. A gas tank costs about $1,700 installed and $275 a year to run; electric about $1,300 and $645 a year at US average rates.
How long does a water heater last?
A tank water heater lasts about 8–12 years, and a tankless unit often 20 years or more with yearly descaling. A heat pump model stores water in a tank, so it needs the same anode and flush care. Hard water shortens all of them.
What's included in a Madison water heater quote?
The tank, a licensed plumber, removal of the old tank and new connections. Often extra: the permit ($45–$280), an expansion tank ($90–$355) and any venting or electrical work.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 36+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices for the Madison metro area, November 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
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