Water heater igniter replacement cost (2026)

The igniter makes the spark that lights the pilot or, on electronic ignition models, the burner. If you press the button and hear no click or see no spark, the igniter is a likely suspect.

Figures are 2026 national estimates compiled from published cost guides such as HomeGuide, Angi and HomeAdvisor. Labor rates in high-cost metro areas often run above these ranges.

Typical costs

Types of igniters

• Piezo igniters on standing-pilot tanks: the red push button next to the gas control. Cheap and simple.
• Electronic spark or hot surface igniters on power-vent, direct-vent and high-efficiency tanks. More expensive and model-specific.
• Tankless igniters on gas tankless heaters, usually tied to ignition failure codes. See our tankless water heater repair cost guide.

Signs the igniter has failed

• No click or no spark when you press the igniter button
• A spark you can see that does not light the pilot, which may instead point to gas supply or a blocked pilot
• Ignition failure codes on electronic models

What else could be wrong

A pilot that lights but will not stay lit is usually the thermocouple or thermopile, not the igniter. A spark with no pilot flame can mean the gas supply is off, air is in the line or the pilot tube is blocked. A technician checks these before replacing parts.

Not sure how old your heater is? The serial number tells you. See our guides for Rheem, A. O. Smith and Bradford White, and use our repair or replace water heater calculator to see how age changes the math.

Troubleshooting before you replace it

1. Press the igniter in a dim room and look through the sight glass for a spark at the pilot.
2. Check that the igniter wire is attached at both ends and not cracked.
3. Make sure the gas control is set to PILOT and the gas supply valve is open.
4. On electronic models, read the status light or display code before touching parts.

What affects the price

• Igniter type. A push-button piezo part is cheaper than a hot surface igniter on a power-vent tank.
• Access. Sealed combustion chambers need the burner door opened and a new gasket installed.
• Brand-specific parts that a technician may need to order.

Pairs well with maintenance

If the burner area is being opened anyway, ask for the burner and pilot to be cleaned and the combustion air screen checked. Lint and dust around the base are a common reason pilots and igniters struggle.

Getting a fair price

• Ask for a flat price that includes the part, labor and the service call.
• Ask the technician to show you the reading or the failed part that proves the diagnosis.
• Check the heater's age from the serial number. A repair on a heater past about ten years deserves a second look.
• Check the warranty first. Parts are often covered longer than labor.