Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN SURPRISE
Surprise Water Heater
Replacement
Take a photo of your old water heater to start a replacement quote.
Get a water heater quotePhotos optional. No payment or booking.
See what replacement costs ↓SURPRISE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Surprise.
In Surprise, you don't need a permit to replace a water heater with the same type, but only if the old one was installed with a valid permit. The city lists APS and Southwest Gas as its utilities. Water comes from the city or one of 10 other providers; city water averaged 3.9 to 6.2 gpg in 2025, depending on the system.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- No, for a qualifying same-type replacement
- Permit fee
- None for an exempt same-type replacement. Otherwise Surprise charges a building permit based on job value: $100 per permit, $6 per $1,000 of value, and a processing fee of 0.50% of the value (fee schedule CD 04/2025).
- Electric utility
- APS
- Gas utility
- Southwest Gas
- Water
- City of Surprise, plus 10 other water providers in the city's special planning areas (look up by address) · Depends on the system (2025 reports): Mountain Vista averages 67 mg/L (3.9 grains per gallon, range 2.7–4.9); Desert Oasis averages 106 mg/L (6.2, range 2.6–11.1)
- Rebate worth checking
- Efficiency Arizona (Income-qualified)
- Typical home
- Built 2005 (median) · 79% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 14 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 Surprise averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Surprise
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeNone for an exempt same-type replacement. Otherwise Surprise charges a building permit based on job value: $100 per permit, $6 per $1,000 of value, and a processing fee of 0.50% of the value (fee schedule CD 04/2025).. City of Surprise Community Development (Building Safety) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price6 of the companies listed for Surprise post water heater prices or specials on their websites: George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Phoenix, Parker & Sons, Plumbing Masters, Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Howard Air & Plumbing. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Surprise average is shown.
What can change the price in Surprise?
Only a heater of the same size, type and way of operating, replacing one installed under a valid permit, is exempt. Changing type (for example gas to electric, or tank to tankless) or size isn't.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Surprise?
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 Surprise 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 Surprise 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.
Cool Blew, Inc.
Lists Surprise among the areas it serves. Based in Peoria.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day diagnosis and replacement, and a technician who called manufacturers to find a specific unit.
Worth knowing One BBB reviewer said they were overcharged by $960 for a water heater installation (per quotes from three other companies) and that the technician arrived hours after the window.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing
Lists Surprise among the areas it serves. Based in Phoenix.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised tankless water heater installation support and recirculation-pump work.
Worth knowing One tankless water heater conversion required repeated visits for valve noise; the customer said it was ultimately resolved.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical
Lists Surprise among the areas it serves. Based in Phoenix.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Water heater page states installs 'typically range from $1,200 to $3,500' depending on type/capacity/complexity, with flat-rate pricing; offers page lists water heater diagnosis $0 with repair / $49 standalone ($39.95 member), Water Heater Protection Service $119, Tankless Descale & Protection $300, $50 off flood protection add-on
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One BBB reviewer praised quick water heater replacement.
Worth knowing Another water heater customer said separate electrical billing increased the total unexpectedly.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Phoenix
Lists Surprise 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 Surprise 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.
Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical
Lists Surprise among the areas it serves. Based in Phoenix.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised a same-weekend emergency replacement in which the technician drained the old tank to limit flooding, and a replacement in which the technician called a restoration company.
Worth knowing One service-plan member said a $600 (after discount) quote for water heater elements was excessive and that the technician shorted the unit.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Plumbing Masters
Lists Surprise 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 Surprise 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.
Also listing Surprise: Water Heaters Only, Inc., Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Howard Air & Plumbing, Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air (Phoenix).
Order: companies based in Surprise 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 SURPRISE
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN SURPRISE
What Surprise homes are like.
2005Median year built
3%Built before 1980
79%Owner-occupied
45%Heat with utility gas
87%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 2005. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
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 Surprise.
Was the old heater permitted?
Surprise's exemption shows up in both the gas and plumbing lists. It only applies if the existing water heater was installed with a valid building permit and the new one matches its size, type and way of operating.
Many water providers
The city runs its own water system, but 10 other providers serve the special planning areas, so hardness depends on your address. The city's 2025 reports show Desert Oasis water about 60% harder than Mountain Vista water.
Surprise Drinking Water page ↗ · Mountain Vista 2025 report ↗ · Desert Oasis 2025 report ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Surprise homes.
Energy
- Electric: APS (Named by the city)
- Gas: Southwest Gas (Named by the city)
Water
City of Surprise, plus 10 other water providers in the city's special planning areas (look up by address): Depends on the system (2025 reports): Mountain Vista averages 67 mg/L (3.9 grains per gallon, range 2.7–4.9); Desert Oasis averages 106 mg/L (6.2, range 2.6–11.1)
Surprise Drinking Water page ↗ · Surprise 2025 Mountain Vista Water Quality Report ↗ · Surprise 2025 Desert Oasis Water Quality Report ↗ · Surprise Drinking Water Quality Reports ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Surprise homes.
For APS and Southwest Gas customers in Surprise. 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 Surprise.
Permits and who issues them
Surprise's changes to the 2024 codes (dated January 1, 2026) exempt replacing an existing water heater with one of the same size, type and way of operating, as long as the old one was installed with a valid building permit. Other water heater work goes through Community Development's building permit process.
City of Surprise Community Development (Building Safety) ↗ · City of Surprise Local Amendments to the 2024 International Codes (Jan 1, 2026) ↗ · Surprise Development Services Fee Schedule (CD 04/2025) ↗
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 Surprise.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City West | 5 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | APS |
| El Mirage | 9 mi | Required | By job value (from $75) | APS |
| Sun City | 10 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | APS |
| Peoria | 12 mi | Not required (conditions apply) | $87 | APS, SRP |
| Glendale | 18 mi | Required | $29.79 | APS, SRP |
| Buckeye | 20 mi | Not required (conditions apply) | — | APS |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Surprise water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Surprise?
Not if the new heater has the same size, type and way of operating and the old one was installed with a valid permit. Otherwise, yes.
How hard is Surprise water?
It depends on the system. In 2025, Mountain Vista averaged 3.9 grains per gallon and Desert Oasis 6.2. If another company supplies your water, check its report.
Who provides electricity and gas?
The city names APS for electricity and Southwest Gas for natural gas.
More guides: Arizona water heater replacement · All local guides