RV water heater replacement is often the right decision when a tank has significant corrosion, when the anode rod has been neglected and the tank is compromised, or when a major component failure makes repair cost-prohibitive. A new 6-gallon water heater with warranty typically costs $350 to $550 installed - a reasonable investment for a critical comfort system.
Suburban and Atwood (now sold under the Dometic brand) are the two main manufacturers for RV tank-style water heaters, and their units are largely interchangeable in the same cutout opening. This gives us flexibility when the exact original brand is backordered.
Replacement Installation Process
- Shut off LP gas at the tank and disconnect electricity
- Drain and disconnect the water heater tank
- Remove the exterior door and pull the unit from the RV compartment
- Install new unit in the existing opening (verify fit - Suburban and Atwood 6-gallon units share a standard cutout in most applications)
- Connect gas, water lines, and electrical
- Test for leaks, verify ignition, and hot water flow
- Total time: 2 to 3 hours on-site
Should I Replace with a Tankless Unit?
Tankless water heaters (Rinnai and Girard are common in RVs) provide endless hot water and use no energy when idle. The tradeoff is cost - a tankless installation runs $1,200 to $2,000 vs $350 to $550 for a standard 6-gallon replacement. For fulltime RVers and those who do a lot of boondocking, the endless hot water is a significant quality-of-life upgrade. For seasonal campers, the standard tank replacement is usually the better value.
Service area: Apopka, Longwood, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Lake Mary, DeLand, Deltona, DeBary, Mount Dora, Tavares, Leesburg, and all surrounding communities in Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia counties.
Pricing for RV Water Heater Replacement
Starting price range: $385 - $685 (unit + installation). Flat-rate quote provided before any work begins. Request a free quote online or call (407) 326-5500.
*Estimates only. Final price determined on-site after diagnosis. Parts and labor included in flat rate.
Related Services
Also see: All RV Water Heater Repair services | All RV Repair Services | Apopka Service Area
