6 complete parts lists

Complete Water Heater Setups, Costed

Quick answer

There are two genuinely different projects here, not one ladder. Replacing a storage tank is a like-for-like swap where the accessory layer is what you order online. Converting to tankless is a harder and more expensive project where the gas line and the vent usually decide whether it happens at all. Each has its own three tiers below.

Replacing a storage tank

A like-for-like swap. The heater itself is often bought at a big box store with installation attached, and the accessory layer around it is where an online order genuinely makes sense.

Beginner Budget Tank Water Heater Replacement $781.18 10 lines The complete parts list for a straight electric tank replacement at the lowest sensible cost, with every part that is genuinely required and nothing that is not. Who it is for: A landlord, a rental, or anyone replacing a failed tank who intends to keep the property a few more years. Intermediate Buy Once Tank Water Heater Setup $1558.69 15 lines The tank replacement built to last, with a powered anode, a thermostatic mixing valve for more usable hot water, leak protection and the full accessory layer. Who it is for: An owner-occupier replacing a tank they expect to live with for a decade. Expert Long Life Tank Water Heater Setup $2133.67 15 lines The tank setup built to outlast its warranty, with a plumbing supply grade tank, impressed current anode protection, full leak shutoff and monitoring. Who it is for: A heater above finished space, aggressive or softened water, or an owner staying fifteen years.

Converting to tankless

A different project. The unit is the cheap part: the gas line upsizing and the vent are what decide whether it happens, and the service valves and descaling kit are part of the purchase rather than afterthoughts.

Beginner Entry Gas Tankless Conversion $1046.09 10 lines The parts list for a first gas tankless installation, with the service valves, gas connector, venting and descaling kit that make it work and keep working. Who it is for: A one to two bathroom house in a warm inlet climate, replacing an aging tank. Intermediate Condensing Gas Tankless Conversion $1878.37 13 lines The condensing tankless setup with PVC venting, a condensate neutralizer, service valves, scale protection and the descaling kit the unit needs every year. Who it is for: A two to three bathroom house, and anyone whose vent route makes PVC easier than stainless. Expert Whole House Tankless Setup $2857.86 15 lines The largest residential tankless setup, with a 199,000 BTU unit, full venting and condensate handling, recirculation, scale protection and fault reporting. Who it is for: Three bathroom houses with real simultaneous demand, and a gas line proven to carry the input.

All six side by side

Setup totals, computed from verified catalog prices
Setup	Project	Tier	Lines	Parts total
Budget tank replacement	Replacing a storage tank	Beginner	10	$781.18
Buy once tank setup	Replacing a storage tank	Intermediate	15	$1558.69
Long life tank setup	Replacing a storage tank	Expert	15	$2133.67
Entry tankless conversion	Converting to tankless	Beginner	10	$1046.09
Condensing tankless	Converting to tankless	Intermediate	13	$1878.37
Whole house tankless	Converting to tankless	Expert	15	$2857.86

Convention Source: totals computed from verified catalog prices at build time. These are parts only and exclude installation entirely, which is a separate question covered by HouseProjectCalc. Prices move often.

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These are parts lists, not installation guides. A water heater is a pressure vessel: never cap, plug or remove the temperature and pressure relief valve. Gas line, flue and vent work belongs to a licensed plumber or gas fitter, because improper venting produces carbon monoxide. Turn the breaker off before touching an element, and never energise an element that is not submerged.