Immersion Heater Replacement Cost

Want to know how much replacing an immersion heater will cost?

In this guide, we cover all costs of installing an immersion heater, plus what an immersion heater is, how it works, and what you might pay an electrician. Searching immersion heater repairs cost? You’re exactly where you need to be.

Installing an immersion heater will cost, on average, around £133.

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How Much to Replace Immersion Heater?

Although most UK homes only use immersion heaters as a backup source for hot water, they can be incredibly useful during the summer months when the central heating may be switched off, but hot water is required.

So, what is an immersion heater?

An electric immersion heater is an element fitted inside a water storage cylinder. When turned on, it can heat the water using electricity, and can provide hot water independent of the central heating system.

What's the cost of replacing an immersion heater?

The average cost of replacing an immersion heater is around £133, and can take between 1 to 2 hours.

Depending on the size of the water storage cylinder, there may be up to 3 electric heating elements inside.

In plenty of cases, the tank stays put and only the element gets changed. So if you’ve typed immersion heater element replacement cost into Google, expect the cost of the part plus an hour or two for fitting.

In most homes, it’s safest to get a qualified electrician or heating engineer to do it.

Immersion Heater Prices

Below are some estimated costs of installing immersion heaters, and how long the jobs tend to take.

Below are the average costs of unclogging and cleaning the drains.

Labour Cost to Replace an Immersions Heater & Timescales

A tradesperson will typically charge no more than a standard rate of £105 for this type of work unless other issues take place, causing a longer job.

This job will typically take 1 to 2 hours, depending on the ease of access for tradespeople, and if the immersion tank needs to be emptied entirely (most of the time, this won’t be the case).

When choosing a new electric heating element, make sure that you choose a new element of the same size, shape and power rating.

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Factors That Impact Immersion Heater Replacement Costs

A few things can nudge the price up or down when you’re replacing an immersion heater:

• Labour rate — For a really easy replacement, you're probably looking at about £105 for labour (your quote can be higher if it’s a longer job or out-of-hours).
• Type of immersion heater — Copper costs a little less, while titanium options are a bit more. For example, copper elements are around £20 to £30. But titanium sits more like £30 to £40.
• Element size — Longer elements cost a touch more. For a 14-inch copper element, this will set you back by roughly £21. But a 27-inch copper element can be around £25.
• Single vs twin element — You'll pay more (in parts) for twin-element setups, and they sometimes take a bit longer to swap. This is especially true if you’re replacing both elements.
• What’s actually failed — If it’s just the element, it’s simple to sort. If the thermostat, wiring, or controls also need replacing, that adds parts and time.
• Access to the cylinder — If it’s boxed in, wedged into a tight airing cupboard, or tricky to reach, the job can take longer (and labour costs will almost always rise with it).
• Draining and refilling — Some cylinders need partial or full draining to get rid of the element safely without causing a leak. That extra time can push the price up.

What's Involved in Replacing an Immersion Heater?

Replacing an immersion heater isn’t all that DIY-friendly. You’re dealing with mains electrics and a hot water cylinder. So essentially, one wrong move could result in a leak, a shock, or a very soggy cupboard.

Because of that, your best bet is to choose and hire a local electrician or heating engineer.

And as always, get a couple of quotes. MyJobQuote makes it easy to find electricians near you.

Let's take a look at the process when getting an immersion heater replaced by a professional:

Before the Job Starts

• Initial checks — They’ll tell you what the fault is (element, thermostat, wiring, or the cylinder itself) and make sure the replacement part is the right size and rating.
• Safe isolation — Power gets isolated at the consumer unit, and they’ll check it’s dead before touching anything.

During the Job

• Draining (if needed) — A few cylinders need to be partly or fully drained to remove the element without causing a mini flood.
• Removal and replacement — The old element comes out, the new one goes in, and the wiring or controls are reconnected correctly.

After the Job

• Testing and safety checks — They’ll test operation, make sure the thermostat is behaving, and check there are no leaks.
• Set-up advice — You’ll get a quick steer on settings and timers so you’re not running it longer than you need to.

Types of Immersion Heater

In-line Heaters

In-line heaters are also known as circulation heaters. This type of immersion heater comes in various materials, including stainless steel and titanium. As a rough guide, the heater itself normally costs around £23 to £29 to buy.

In in-line immersion heaters, fluid flows through a chamber containing a heating element, where it’s heated until it reaches the desired temperature.

Pros

• ✔ Different material options available (titanium, stainless steel)
• ✔ Easy to install

Cons

• ✖ Higher initial cost
• ✖ Not the best for energy efficiency if using intermittently

Flange Heaters

Flange immersion heaters are versatile and able to heat large volumes of liquid. The heating elements can be straight or L-shaped to fit different design configurations. Supply-only, you’re usually looking at roughly £17 to £23 for the heater.

This type of heater is built using corrosion-resistant materials, offering longevity.

Pros

• ✔ Durable, corrosion-resistant
• ✔ Suitable for high kW applications

Cons

• ✖ Higher installation cost compared to other heaters
• ✖ Units are usually large and bulky

Screw Plug Heaters

Screw plug immersion heaters are compact units that screw in directly to the side of a tank. Being smaller than other immersion heaters, they're best for applications that don't need high heating power. For the heater on its own, costs tend to sit around £34 to £46.

Pros

• ✔ Versatile and low-maintenance
• ✔ Energy efficient

Cons

• ✖ Limited element space
• ✖ Tank needs to be drained before replacement

Over the Side Heaters

Over-the-side immersion heaters hang over the edge of a tank, with the heating elements sitting along the side or bottom. No tank modifications are needed, making installation and removal easy. Supply-only prices are typically around £46 to £70.

Pros

• ✔ Compact, taking up little space
• ✔ Easily removable for servicing

Cons

• ✖ Longer time needed to reach the required heat temperature
• ✖ Less efficient for continious use

Running Costs

The running costs of an immersion heater can be fairly pricey, as it uses electricity as a fuel source, which is usually more expensive than natural gas.

These figures use the latest Ofgem price cap electricity unit rate (Jan to Mar 2026) of around 27.7p per kWh.

Just to be clear, the table below assumes the heater is running at full power 24/7. In real life, most people won’t run it constantly like this, so treat it as a “worst case” example.

Alternatives to Immersion Heaters

Immersion heaters do the job, but they’re not always the best (or cheapest) way to heat hot water. If you’re weighing up other options, here are the main routes people look at.

Boilers and Central Heating Systems

If an immersion heater isn’t cutting it, you may be tempted to install a new boiler. It’s normal to start googling “replace immersion heater with electric boiler cost” around this stage, because the upfront spend is bigger. But so is the day-to-day difference.

• New combi boilers cost £2,750 to install, giving you heating and hot water in one system.
• Installing an oil boiler costs roughly £2,450, which can suit homes that aren’t on mains gas.
• Biomass boilers cost around £13,200 to fit and install if you want a renewable option.

Air Source Heat Pump

An air source heat pump pulls heat from outside air and uses it to warm your home and hot water. They can be connected to wet central heating systems, including radiators, underfloor heating, and hot water cylinders. On average, air source heat pumps cost around £8,000 to install.

Pros

• ✔ Lower running costs than electric or oil heating
• ✔ Low-maintenance

Cons

• ✖ Extra costs for underfloor heating installation
• ✖ Heat may feel less "intense" than traditional boilers

Ground Source Heat Pump

Ground source heat pumps - also known as geothermal heat pumps - circulate a "water-antifreeze" mixture through underground pipe loops in your garden. This liquid absorbs the heat from underneath your garden's surface and travels to the heat pump, providing hot water and heating for your property.

Pros

• ✔ Low-maintenance after installation
• ✔ May also provide cooling in summer, as well as heating in winter

Cons

• ✖ Pricier than air source heat pumps
• ✖ Needs an expert installer

Solar Thermal

Solar thermal systems are an excellent option if you're looking for an eco-friendly heating alternative. They capture the sun's energy and convert it into heat for your home's hot water.

Pros

• ✔ Eco-friendly and renewable
• ✔ Provides "free" energy from the sun

Cons

• ✖ Requires regular maintenance
• ✖ Only able to heat water

Do I Need to Replace My Immersion Heater?

It’s usually not that difficult to tell if you need to replace your immersion heater.

Signs you may need to replace your immersion heater include:

• You’ve had your heater for a long time
• It’s making unusual noises
• Your water heater is leaking
• Your water is staying cold

If you spot water around the element cover, drip marks down the cylinder, or a damp patch in the airing cupboard, switch the immersion heater off and get it checked. Sometimes it’s a tired gasket or a loose fitting. Other times, it’s corrosion on the cylinder, which can mean a bigger fix.

Immersion Heater Removal Cost

You will need to call in a professional to remove your heater safely and securely by cutting the power, shutting off the water, draining the cylinder, and removing the unit.

Donation

If your heater is still working and in stable condition, you can help someone by donating it to a donation centre for free, or set up an online advertisement to see if someone can pick it up. This is a great way to help out your local community and be eco-friendly.

Recycling

Many recycling centres will utilise your heater and recycle the scrap metal parts. This is a great way to help the environment and ensure that no parts go to waste, and is usually free of charge.

Skip Hire

Skip hire can be included in the price of a contractor if you’re hiring them to remove the immersion heater. However, if you’re looking to organise a skip hire yourself, the average cost to hire a skip is £220, but the price will depend on the size, and your location in the UK.

Checklist: Hiring an Electrician to Replace an Immersion Heater

Before hiring someone to replace your immersion heater, check a few key details first:

• Are they a qualified electrician or heating engineer? Replacing an immersion heater involves water and electrics. So, they’ll need the right training and certification.
• Do they have Part P registration? Anyone working on household electrics should be Part P certified to prove they can carry out the job safely and legally.
• Will they supply the correct replacement part? Your local tradesperson will happily be able to confirm the heater’s size, power rating, and thread type before fitting anything new.
• Is their quote all-inclusive? Ask whether the price covers labour, materials, and any small extras (e.g. draining the cylinder or checking the thermostat).
• Do they have public liability insurance? It’s not a legal must-have, but it protects you (and them) if something goes wrong during installation.
• Can they show examples or reviews? Look for feedback from previous customers or photos of similar jobs on their MyJobQuote profile.
• Will they provide paperwork or a receipt? Be sure to get written proof of payment and confirmation of any guarantees for the parts or workmanship.