Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN EL MIRAGE
El Mirage Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓EL MIRAGE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in El Mirage.
You need a permit to replace a water heater in El Mirage; its changes to the 2018 codes don't exempt it. The fee is based on job value: $75 for work worth $1,000 or less. City water averages 7 grains per gallon (range 4–9), and the city suggests setting softeners to 7.5 grains.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of El Mirage Development Services (Building Safety)
- Permit fee
- Based on job value (FY26-27 schedule, effective July 1, 2026): $75 for $1,000 or less; $100 plus $6 per $1,000 for $1,001–$999,999. There's also a $150 non-refundable application deposit for commercial and residential permits.
- Electric utility
- APS
- Gas utility
- Southwest Gas
- Water
- City of El Mirage (the system also serves part of Surprise) · 4 to 9 grains per gallon depending on the well, average 7; the city suggests a 7.5-grain softener setting (2025 report)
- Rebate worth checking
- Efficiency Arizona (Income-qualified)
- Typical home
- Built 2004 (median) · 70% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 7 that advertise water heater work
01 / TYPICAL PRICES
What a new water heater costs.
Know before you call.
Heat-pump tank
$2,500–$5,000Typical cost, including installation
Tankless
$2,400–$5,400Typical cost, including installation
AI equipment illustrations; models vary and images are not to scale. Typical national prices from Home Depot ↗, checked September 28, 2026. The source doesn’t say how many jobs the ranges are based on. These are not El Mirage averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in El Mirage
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeBased on job value (FY26-27 schedule, effective July 1, 2026): $75 for $1,000 or less; $100 plus $6 per $1,000 for $1,001–$999,999. There's also a $150 non-refundable application deposit for commercial and residential permits.. City of El Mirage Development Services (Building Safety) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price3 of the companies listed for El Mirage post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Phoenix, Parker & Sons, Plumbing Masters. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no El Mirage average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in El Mirage?
Companies that advertise water heater replacement here, with what their water heater customers say.
Companies we found in our research. They are not Ember & Tank providers or partners. We show selected reviews, not a rating or every review. How we choose reviews →
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Phoenix
Lists El Mirage among the areas it serves. Based in Phoenix.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A BBB reviewer praised the quick response and a new water heater installed right away, saying the service was worth the somewhat high price.
Worth knowing A tankless owner told BBB the technician recommended a larger replacement, charged $260, and missed problems the owner later fixed himself.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Bumble Bee Home Services (Bumble Bee Plumbing)
Lists El Mirage among the areas it serves. Based in Glendale.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised same-day water heater replacement and patient explanations from the installers.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Phoenix
Lists El Mirage among the areas it serves. Based in Mesa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$200 Off Water Heater Installation' (expires 01/31/2027); also $75 off any plumbing service and 10% senior/military discount up to $100 —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers in the feed praised same-day emergency replacements, clear pricing up front, and a smooth tankless installation.
Worth knowing One reviewer said the installer brought a heater that did not fit the closet and said a county office called that a code issue.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Parker & Sons
Lists El Mirage among the areas it serves. Based in Phoenix.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$100 Off Traditional Tank Water Heater' (code WATERTANK100, expires 12/29/2026); '$20 Off Any Service or Repair'
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One reviewer praised a thorough water heater maintenance visit.
Worth knowing A Scottsdale customer disputed a water heater replacement recommendation after getting a second opinion.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Plumbing Masters
Lists El Mirage among the areas it serves. Based in Peoria.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Offer: 'Standard Water Heater Flush' $89 + same day service no replacement price published
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised efficient water heater replacement and a technician who found high water pressure and brought water heater pressure equipment up to code.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant whose main dispute was a leaking shower repair said an earlier water heater install went well but they believed they overpaid.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (Phoenix)
Lists El Mirage among the areas it serves. Based in Phoenix.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A Phoenix customer's testimonial on the company site praised the technician who replaced their hot water heater.
Worth knowing No Phoenix-specific water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air (Phoenix)
Lists El Mirage among the areas it serves. Based in Phoenix.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in El Mirage first, then companies whose water heater reviews we’ve read. Each group is alphabetical. These businesses are not our employees or vetted partners and do not receive requests from Ember & Tank. We haven’t checked their license, insurance or quality of work. Arizona ROC contractor search ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING EL MIRAGE
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN EL MIRAGE
What El Mirage homes are like.
2004Median year built
11%Built before 1980
70%Owner-occupied
15%Heat with utility gas
87%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 2004. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
78% of homes heat with electricity, which usually means an electric water heater. It’s worth getting a price on a heat pump model too.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2024 5-year ↗ (2020-2024). Heating fuel is what homes use to heat the house. It often, but not always, matches the water heater’s fuel.
LOCAL CONDITIONS
What’s different in El Mirage.
The city's softener setting
El Mirage's 2025 water report says hardness ranges from 4 to 9 grains depending on the well (average 7) and suggests setting softeners to 7.5 grains.
Still on 2018 codes
El Mirage's code adoption (effective July 1, 2023) uses the 2018 International Codes and the 2017 NEC.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies El Mirage homes.
Energy
- Electric: APS (APS's metro map shows El Mirage in APS's area)
- Gas: Southwest Gas (Statewide natural gas utility; individual addresses not checked)
APS Phoenix metro service area map (dated 9/17/2013) ↗ · Southwest Gas – Who We Are ↗
Water
City of El Mirage (the system also serves part of Surprise): 4 to 9 grains per gallon depending on the well, average 7; the city suggests a 7.5-grain softener setting (2025 report)
El Mirage 2025 Consumer Confidence Report ↗ · El Mirage Drinking Water Quality ↗ · El Mirage Water Quality & Resources ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for El Mirage homes.
For APS and Southwest Gas customers in El Mirage. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Efficiency Arizona ↗Income-qualifiedUp to $1,750 toward a heat pump water heater for households at or below 150% of area median income.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 29, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Arizona rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in El Mirage.
Permits and who issues them
El Mirage uses the 2018 codes with local changes (Resolution R23-05-10, effective July 1, 2023). Those changes only touch building items on the no-permit list and say nothing about water heaters, so you need a permit. Submit plans and applications on the ELM Online Permits portal.
City of El Mirage Development Services (Building Safety) ↗ · El Mirage Adopted Codes & Amendments (Resolution R23-05-10) ↗ · El Mirage City Code Ch. 150 Building Code ↗ · El Mirage Adopted Fee Schedule FY26-27 ↗ · El Mirage Permit Center ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Arizona ROC contractor search ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Arizona licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near El Mirage.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City | 3 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | APS |
| Sun City West | 6 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | APS |
| Glendale | 9 mi | Required | $29.79 | APS, SRP |
| Surprise | 9 mi | Not required (conditions apply) | $100 | APS |
| Peoria | 14 mi | Not required (conditions apply) | $87 | APS, SRP |
| Phoenix | 14 mi | Not required (conditions apply) | — | Salt River Project, APS |
COMMON QUESTIONS
El Mirage water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in El Mirage?
Yes. El Mirage's code changes don't exempt water heaters.
How hard is El Mirage water?
4 to 9 grains per gallon depending on the well, 7 on average. The city suggests a 7.5-grain softener setting.
More guides: Arizona water heater replacement · All local guides