RV water heater not working: what to check and what the repair costs

No hot water is one of the few RV problems where the odds favor a cheap answer, as long as it is not freeze-related. The majority of ordinary no-hot-water calls end at a $150 to $450 repair, with replacement at $700 to $1,800 the exception, not the rule. The one thing worth ruling out first here, more than in a climate that never freezes, is whether the tank or a line feeding it actually cracked over winter.

Check this first (ten minutes)

Look for a leak before anything else. Check underneath and around the water heater compartment for staining, dampness, or standing water. If you find any, this may be freeze damage rather than a simple ignition problem: see our frozen or cracked water line page.
Confirm propane supply. Tank has fuel, valve is open, and other propane appliances (the stove, for instance) work.
Listen for the igniter. A clicking sound with no flame points at the burner, the thermocouple, or gas delivery, not the igniter itself.
Check the electric side separately if the unit has one. Gas and electric heating elements fail independently; testing both tells you which repair you actually need.
Look at the pressure and temperature relief valve on the outside of the unit. A small weep after the water heats is normal; a steady stream usually means a lost air gap (a quick fix) or a failed valve.
Note how long it has been since the rig was last used or winterized. That single fact often points straight at the likely cause.

What is usually wrong

What you find	Likely cause	Fix and cost
Igniter clicks, no flame	Blocked burner tube, or failed thermocouple	$150 to $350
No click, no spark at all	Igniter or control board failure	$150 to $450
Water pooling around or under the unit	Cracked tank from freeze damage	$700 to $1,800 replacement
Cools too slowly, or never quite catches up	Under-jetted for elevation, or a partly blocked burner	$150 to $350 typical
Works on electric, not on gas (or the reverse)	The other heating source has failed independently	$150 to $350
Steady drip from the relief valve	Lost air gap, or a failed relief valve	Often a five-minute fix, or valve replacement

These sit inside the appliance repair range on the pricing page, on top of the $75 to $150 trip fee and $125 to $190 hourly labor.

Where we work

On site across Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, Williamson Valley, Paulden, and Mayer. The appliance repair service page covers the full scope, and the maintenance and winterization page explains how to prevent a freeze-cracked tank next winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

My RV water heater will not light. What is the usual cause?

On a gas water heater, the top causes are a dirty or blocked burner tube, a failed thermocouple or electrode, and a tripped high-limit (ECO) switch. All three are inexpensive and none require replacing the tank.

How much does RV water heater repair cost?

$150 to $450 for the common repairs: thermocouple, element, anode rod, thermostat, or a burner cleaning. A full replacement runs $700 to $1,800 installed depending on whether it is a tank or tankless unit. Diagnosis comes first, because most no-hot-water calls end in the cheaper column.

Could this be freeze damage instead of a normal failure?

Yes, and it is worth ruling out. If the rig sat through a winter without being fully winterized, a cracked tank or a burst line feeding the water heater looks similar to a simple ignition failure until you check for a leak. Look underneath and around the water heater compartment for staining or dampness before assuming it is just a part.

Is my furnace's output loss at this elevation also affecting my water heater?

It can. Propane appliances, including tank water heaters, are typically rated for a lower elevation than Prescott's roughly 5,400 feet, and an under-jetted burner can take longer to recover hot water or never quite catch up, even though the ignition system works fine.