Safety first. If you smell gas near the water heater, leave the house and call 911 or your gas company from outside.
How hard is Las Vegas water?
The Las Vegas Valley Water District’s 2026 summary puts average hardness at 280 parts per million, or 16 grains per gallon.
Henderson’s 2024 report gives 267 parts per million, also 16 grains per gallon, and calls it very hard.
What does hard water do to a water heater?
When water is heated, its calcium and magnesium settle out. ENERGY STAR notes that sediment builds up inside the tank and that minerals in the water contribute to corrosion.
Sediment sits between the burner and the water, so the heater works harder, and you may hear rumbling or popping.
An industry-funded 2010 Battelle study found that gas tank heaters on unsoftened hard water lost efficiency over time, and scale eventually clogged their outlet piping.
How long does a water heater last?
A 2009 Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR market report put tank life at 10 to 20 years, depending on the unit and the water’s hardness.
The average age at replacement was 13 years. ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement once a tank passes 10 years.
Should I repair or replace my water heater?
Repair when the tank is sound and a part has failed: a thermocouple or gas valve on a gas heater, a heating element or thermostat on an electric one, or a relief valve.
Replace when the tank leaks, since a leaking tank can’t be repaired, or when an older tank needs an expensive part.
Before pricing a replacement, check the manufacturer warranty by serial number, not by how old the tank looks.
What helps a water heater last in Las Vegas?
Maintenance matters: ENERGY STAR says aging and poor maintenance let sediment build up and reduce a tank’s capacity. Rumbling, rusty hot water or water at the base are reasons to have the tank looked at.
Softened water helps too. In the industry-funded Battelle study, gas tank heaters on softened water kept their efficiency, while those on hard water lost it. A softener adds its own upkeep.
The AMA Care Plan includes a yearly plumbing and water heater inspection.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?
In the City of Las Vegas, yes: the City requires a plumbing permit to install or replace a water heater.
Clark County, Henderson and North Las Vegas also issue water heater replacement permits. We pull the permit as part of a replacement.
When should I call?
Call (702) 750-2608 if there’s no hot water, water around the base, rusty hot water or a pilot that won’t stay lit. A visit starts with the $89 diagnostic, credited toward the repair. See water heater repair and replacement.
Sources
- Las Vegas Valley Water District: water quality summary (2026)
- City of Henderson: 2024 water quality report
- ENERGY STAR: When should you replace your water heater?
- US DOE / ENERGY STAR: Water Heater Market Profile (2009, hosted copy)
- Contractor magazine: Battelle finds water softeners aid energy efficiency and appliance life (2010, industry-funded study)
- City of Las Vegas: When do I need a permit?
- Clark County: simple online permits