Master list
Master Water Heater Parts List
Quick answer
This is every part used across all six setups, grouped by what it does rather than by which setup it came from. Nobody buys all of it. It is here to be scanned, so that nothing on your own project comes as a surprise on the day. The setup pages carry the lists you order from.
A water heater project touches more parts than people expect, and the ones that get forgotten are almost always the small ones: the pan fitting, the heat trap nipples, the expansion tank bracket, the second connector. Those are the items that send someone back to the store in the middle of a job with the water off.
Grouped below by function. Every line is a live link, and the budget bands come from verified catalog data at build time rather than being typed in.
Electric storage tanks
Under $3,000The plain resistance tank. Cheap to buy, the most expensive to run of anything here.
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GEGE Smart 40 Gallon Short
A 40 gallon short electric tank. Short-height tanks solve the closet problem that stops a lot of replacements.
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RheemRheem PROE50 M2 50 Gallon
The 50 gallon professional electric, which is the single most common residential size in the country.
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Drain pans
Under $300Sized by inside diameter against the tank footprint, not by the headline number on the box.
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Camco Manufactoring Inc.Camco 26 in Plastic Pan
A 26 inch pan suits most 40 and 50 gallon tanks. Measure the jacket and add two inches.
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OateyOatey 34084 26 in Aluminum Pan
Aluminium rather than plastic. It costs a few dollars more and does not go brittle.
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CamcoCamco 20932 30 x 30 x 6 in Pan
A six inch deep pan holds roughly ten times what a standard two inch pan does. That is the difference between a damp floor and a ceiling below.
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CamcoCamco 11470 Tankless Drain Pan
A wall mounted tankless unit still leaks, usually at the service valves. A rectangular pan catches what a round tank pan cannot.
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CamcoCamco 11430 Aluminum Tankless Pan
An aluminium pan for a unit with a condensate drain as well as water connections.
Elements, thermostats and tank fittings
Under $100The parts that fail on an electric tank, and the fittings that go on during a replacement.
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OateyOatey 34088 Pan PVC Adapter
The fitting that joins the pan to a drain line. Buy it with the pan, not after.
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EastmanEastman Dielectric Heat Trap Nipples, Pair
Dielectric heat trap nipples, sold as a pair. Fit them whenever copper meets the tank.
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WattsWatts 3/4 in Lead Free Vacuum Relief Valve
Stops the tank siphoning empty and exposing the elements, which is how an element dry fires and destroys itself in seconds.
Temperature and pressure relief valves
Under $100The one component on a water heater that is not optional and must never be capped, plugged or removed.
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CamcoCamco 10493 Extended Shank T&P Valve
A 3/4 inch T&P valve with an extended shank. Replace it whenever the tank is replaced.
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Cash AcmeCash Acme NCLX-5LX 150 psi T&P Valve
A 150 psi rated T&P valve. Match it against the working pressure stamped on your tank data plate.
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Cash AcmeCash Acme NCLX-5L 3/4 in T&P Valve
A T&P valve from the manufacturer most tanks leave the factory with, so shank length matches.
Water and gas connectors
Under $100The flexible connectors between the heater and the house. Water and gas connectors are not interchangeable.
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EZ-FLUIDEZ-Fluid 18 in Corrugated Water Connector
Two corrugated stainless connectors, hot and cold. Corrugated bends tighter than braided in a close closet.
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EastmanEastman Steel-Flex 18 in Water Connector
Braided stainless with a swivel nut, so the tank can be set down and then connected.
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EZ-FLUIDEZ-Fluid 24 in Full Port Gas Flex, 3/4 in
A full port 3/4 inch gas connector. A restricted connector throttles the input the whole sizing calculation assumed.
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Thermal expansion tanks
Under $250Required wherever a check valve, a pressure reducing valve or a backflow preventer makes the supply a closed system. Potable rated only.
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EastmanEastman 2 Gallon Thermal Expansion Tank
A 2 gallon potable expansion tank. Set the pre-charge to your static supply pressure before fitting it.
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AmtrolAmtrol ST-5 2 Gallon
The Amtrol ST series is the potable line, as distinct from the hydronic Extrol line that appears beside it in search results.
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AmtrolAmtrol ST-12 Thermal Expansion Tank
A larger acceptance volume for a high static supply pressure, where less of the tank is available to accept water.
Expansion tank fittings and mounts
Under $50The tee and the bracket. An expansion tank hanging on its own pipe thread eventually cracks the fitting.
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JUGGHOMEExpansion Tank Wall Mounting Bracket
The bracket. A full expansion tank hanging on its own thread eventually fatigues the fitting.
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TemsteelBrass Water Heater Expansion Tee, 3/4 in NPT
A brass tee so the tank hangs off the cold inlet without cutting the line twice.
Tank and pipe insulation
Under $150A blanket reduces standby loss on an older tank. On a modern foam insulated tank the payback is much smaller, and on a heat pump unit it can obstruct airflow.
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Duck BrandDuck Brand Foam Pipe Covers, 3/4 in
Foam sleeve for the first six feet of hot outlet pipe. The cheapest efficiency item on this entire site.
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DojomadfSelf-Adhesive Foil Pipe Insulation, 3/4 in
Pre-slit self-adhesive pipe insulation, which stays closed around the pipe rather than gaping along the slit.
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SmartJacketSmartJacket SJ-80 Blanket, 20 to 80 Gallon
Polyethylene rather than fibreglass, so it can be cut around the controls cleanly.
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HEATITHEATIT Foam Pipe Covers, Freeze Protection
Thicker wall insulation for loop pipe in a crawlspace, where freeze protection matters as much as heat retention.
Leak detection and automatic shutoff
Under $400A tank fails by leaking, usually slowly and usually when nobody is home. This is the cheapest insurance on this site.
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ZirconZircon Leak Alert Single
An alarm in the pan. It does nothing about the water, but it turns a discovered-next-week leak into a discovered-now one.
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U.S. SolidU.S. Solid 3/4 in Auto Shut-Off Valve
An NSF certified motorised ball valve with a sensor. It closes the cold inlet when the pan wets.
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FloodStopFloodStop Water Heater Leak Kit, 3/4 in NPT
Purpose built for a water heater: it closes the cold inlet when the pan sensor wets.
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YoLinkYoLink Water Leak Sensor Kit with Hub
Sensors that notify rather than only sound, which is the version that helps while the house is empty.
Anode rods
Under $300A rod of magnesium or aluminium that corrodes so the tank does not. It is consumed on purpose and is meant to be replaced.
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HertzEagleHertzEagle Powered Titanium Anode, 40 to 89 Gallon
An impressed current anode is not consumed, so it is fitted once instead of every four years, and it eliminates the sulphur smell outright.
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Corro-ProtecCorro-Protec Powered Anode Rod
An impressed current anode. Fitted once rather than every four years, and it removes the sulphur smell at its cause.
Thermostatic mixing valves
Under $250The component that resolves the scald and Legionella tension: store hot, deliver at a safe temperature.
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Cash AcmeCash Acme HG110-D SharkBite Connect
A push connect thermostatic mixing valve. Store hotter, deliver at 120 F, get more usable gallons from the same tank.
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Cash AcmeCash Acme HG110-D 3/4 in FNPT
A threaded thermostatic mixing valve with integral checks, so hot cannot migrate into the cold line.
Service tools and thermometers
Under $50The small number of tools that turn a service call into an afternoon.
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BOMATABOMATA Digital Water Thermometer, IPX7
Measure the delivered temperature at the tap. The dial on the heater is not a measurement.
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TimsecTimsec 1-1/2 in Element Socket, 1/2 in Drive
A 1-1/2 inch element socket. The 1-1/16 inch ones flooding these search results are the RV anode size and will not fit.
Timers, controllers and remotes
Under $400A timer on an electric tank shifts the standby loss out of peak hours. It does not reduce the energy the water itself takes.
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AquantaAquanta WiFi Water Heater Controller
Reports how much of the day the tank actually spends reheating, which is the number that decides whether a heat pump upgrade is worth it.
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RheemRheem RRTG20006DW Digital Remote
A wired remote, which is how the setpoint gets changed without going out to the unit.
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RinnaiRinnai RWM200 WiFi Control Module
Adds scheduling and fault reporting, which turns an error code on a wall into a notification you can act on.
Whole house gas tankless
Under $3,500Natural gas and propane tankless units, condensing and non-condensing.
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RheemRheem RTG 7.0 GPM Natural Gas Indoor
The cheapest route into a brand name gas tankless with a dealer parts channel behind it.
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RheemRheem RTGH 8.4 GPM Natural Gas Indoor
The condensing unit most two to three bathroom whole house replacements settle on.
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A. O. SmithA.O. Smith ATI-540P-N 199K BTU
The largest residential input commonly sold without crossing into commercial gas piping territory.
Tankless isolation and service valves
Under $150Without these a descaling flush means cutting the pipe. Fit them at installation, not at the first service.
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HourleeyHourleey 3/4 in IPS Isolator Valve Kit
A 3/4 inch IPS isolator set with the pressure relief valve included.
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HYDRO MASTERHydro Master 3/4 in IPS Service Valve Kit
Service valves with the pressure relief valve, which is the full set a tankless install needs at the unit.
Tankless venting
Under $400Vent components are listed with the appliance. A generic pipe that fits is not the same thing as a listed vent system.
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RheemRheem RTG20320 Adjustable Concentric Vent Kit
A concentric vent brings combustion air in around the exhaust, so the unit is sealed from the room and cannot backdraft into it.
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RheemRheem RTG20321 45 Degree Elbow Vent Kit
A 45 degree elbow costs less equivalent length than a 90, and is worth routing around for.
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RheemRheem RTG20270D 36 in Concentric Vent Pipe
The straight length that extends a concentric run. Every elbow counts against the published maximum equivalent length.
Descaling and flush kits
Under $400A pump, two hoses and a bucket. The annual service every tankless unit needs and most never get.
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66996699 Flushing Kit, 1/6 HP Pump
Pump, hoses and bucket. A sixth horsepower is enough circulation for a residential heat exchanger.
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ChromexChromex Flush Kit with NSF Descaler
Pump, hoses, bucket and NSF certified descaling solution in one box, so nothing is missing on the day.
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ChromexChromex Flush Kit with Gallon of Descaler
A full gallon of solution rather than a sample, which is what a thorough flush of a hard working unit consumes.
Descaling solutions
Under $100Five percent food grade acetic acid or a certified descaler. Nothing stronger.
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IberiaDistilled White Vinegar, 5 Percent, 1 Gallon
Five percent white vinegar is what most manufacturers specify. Never use concentrated vinegar above five percent.
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ChromexChromex NSF Descaling Solution, 1 Gallon
NSF certified for potable water contact, which is the distinction that matters in an exchanger you drink from.
Condensate neutralizers
Under $250A condensing unit produces acidic condensate. Some jurisdictions require it neutralized before it reaches the drain.
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American ValveAmerican Valve CondensateRx Neutralizer
Neutralizes the acidic condensate before it reaches the drain, which many jurisdictions require.
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XinhwCondensate Neutralizer Refill Media, Calcite
The media is consumed, not permanent. An exhausted neutralizer passes acid straight through.
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RheemRheem Axiom External Neutralizer RTG20329AR
The manufacturer condensate neutralizer, which matters where an inspector wants a listed component.
Scale protection for tankless units
Under $150Reduces how fast a heat exchanger scales. It does not replace descaling, and it is not water treatment.
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WaterdropWaterdrop AP431 Scale Inhibitor
A polyphosphate inhibitor upstream keeps hardness in suspension. It slows scaling, it does not replace flushing.
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KleenWaterKleenWater Tankless Filter System
Combines sediment filtration with scale inhibition, which suits a well supply feeding a tankless unit.
Hot water recirculation
Under $400Solves the wait at a distant fixture. It costs standby heat, and a timer or a thermostat is what keeps that cost reasonable.
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GrundfosGrundfos Comfort System 595916
A 25 watt pump with the crossover valve included, so no dedicated return line is needed.
Parts list budget
Under $10,00060 lines across 21 groups. The band is worked out from catalog prices and is a guide only; each link shows Amazon's current price. This is the parts list, not the installation: gas, flue and electrical work belong to the licensed trade that signs the permit.
Amazon shows the items and asks you to confirm before anything is added. Affiliate link.
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Where to start instead
If you know which project you are doing, go straight to the setup that matches rather than working from this page. Each one is a list you can order from as it stands.
- Budget Tank Water Heater Replacement (Beginner): A landlord, a rental, or anyone replacing a failed tank who intends to keep the property a few more years.
- Buy Once Tank Water Heater Setup (Intermediate): An owner-occupier replacing a tank they expect to live with for a decade.
- Long Life Tank Water Heater Setup (Expert): A heater above finished space, aggressive or softened water, or an owner staying fifteen years.
- Entry Gas Tankless Conversion (Beginner): A one to two bathroom house in a warm inlet climate, replacing an aging tank.
- Condensing Gas Tankless Conversion (Intermediate): A two to three bathroom house, and anyone whose vent route makes PVC easier than stainless.
- Whole House Tankless Setup (Expert): Three bathroom houses with real simultaneous demand, and a gas line proven to carry the input.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need everything on this list?
- No. This is the union of six different setups across two different projects, so nobody buys all of it. Use it to see the whole catalog of things a water heater project can touch, then go to the individual setup that matches your project for a list you can actually order from.
- Which parts are genuinely required?
- On almost any installation: a drain pan and its fitting where a leak would damage the structure, a temperature and pressure relief valve, flexible connectors, and a thermal expansion tank wherever the supply is a closed system. On a tankless unit add service valves and a listed vent system. Everything else on this page is a judgment call.
- Why is the budget so large?
- Because it adds up six separate projects including three water heaters, so it is not a budget for one installation. The individual setup pages carry the budgets that matter. This page exists to be scanned rather than summed.
- Does this include installation?
- No, these are parts only. Gas line, flue and electrical work belongs to the licensed trade that signs the permit, and what that work costs is a separate question covered by HouseProjectCalc. Supplying your own parts and paying for labour is common and usually cheaper than a supplied-and-fitted quote.
Parts list, not an installation guide. 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.
