Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN BRIGHTON
Brighton Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓BRIGHTON AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Brighton.
Brighton is its own city, so you get a water heater permit from the City of Brighton on its OpenGov portal. If your heater fails, you can replace it first and apply by the next business day. United Power supplies electricity and offers a $100 rebate for switching from a gas to an electric water heater.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Brighton Building Division (Development Services)
- Permit fee
- Based on job value (2026 schedule): $23.50 for $1-$500, then $3.05 for each extra $100 up to $2,000 (for example, $69.25 at $2,000), then $14 for each $1,000 above that. The city also charges use tax of 3.75% on 50% of the project value. Approved emergency permits filed after the work pay the standard fee and $0 use tax if you show a receipt.
- Who gets the permit
- A contractor licensed by the City of Brighton (Class P plumbing, Class M mechanical or Class MP), or an owner working on their own home, who doesn't need a license.
- Electric utility
- United Power
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- City of Brighton Utilities (groundwater from South Platte and Beebe Draw aquifers, treated by reverse osmosis and greensand filtration; plus purchased treated water via Westminster/Thornton)
- Rebate worth checking
- United Power electric water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1999 (median) · 72% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 10 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 Brighton averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Brighton
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeBased on job value (2026 schedule): $23.50 for $1-$500, then $3.05 for each extra $100 up to $2,000 (for example, $69.25 at $2,000), then $14 for each $1,000 above that. The city also charges use tax of 3.75% on 50% of the project value. Approved emergency permits filed after the work pay the standard fee and $0 use tax if you show a receipt.. City of Brighton Building Division (Development Services) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price8 of the companies listed for Brighton post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric, Colorado Green Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Flatirons Plumbing, Heating & Air, Hot Water Now!, Plumb Pros Inc., Plumbline Services. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Brighton average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Brighton?
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 →
Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves. Based in Denver, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
Published price: Coupon: "$50 OFF Any Plumbing Service" — covers items including "Water Heater Tune Up and Flush" (Limit one coupon per transaction; Valid through September 30, 2026). No water heater replacement price published —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A reviewer praised next-morning water heater replacement.
Worth knowing A water heater customer disputed the installation price and warranty choices.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: "$125 Off A Tank or Tankless Water Heater" (Expires 10/31/26; not valid with any other offer) — Water heater installation page advertises "FREE estimates for water heater installations throughout Denver" —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A BBB reviewer said Bell fixed complications with a new water heater installation, apologized and discounted the fee.
Worth knowing One BBB complainant said a boiler fired without water after a side-arm water heater replacement.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Blue Sky Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A reviewer said Blue Sky made them feel they got full value on a boiler and water heater replacement, and a BBB complainant said a follow-up visit fixed their installation problems.
Worth knowing One BBB complainant said Blue Sky charged for a warranty replacement water tank; Blue Sky said an internal policy change caused confusion, issued a $2,977.52 credit and the customer accepted.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupon: "$150.00 Off Water Heater Installation" (also a general "$50 Off Work Performed*" offer) — and
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One customer praised fast scheduling and communication after their water heater failed.
Worth knowing Another customer reported recurring water heater faults and poor follow-up.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Colorado Green Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves. Based in Erie, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupon: "$200 off the purchase and installation of a new water heater." —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Company-hosted testimonials praise responsive scheduling, maintenance advice and clear explanations during tank and tankless installs.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Flatirons Plumbing, Heating & Air
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves. Based in Arvada, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: "$75 Off Water Heater Services" (must be presented at time of service/estimate; not valid for work previously completed; cannot be combined) —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Angi reviewers praised same-day or same-night water heater replacement, technicians who explained options with photos, and professional installers.
Worth knowing A February 2025 BBB complainant said a $4,589.24 replacement cost far more than another contractor's price, was never inspected despite promised code work, ran loudly, and came without an itemized invoice.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Hot Water Now!
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves. Based in Lakewood, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Homepage coupons: "MILITARY 5% DISCOUNT", "FIRST RESPONDERS 5% DISCOUNT", "TEACHERS 5% DISCOUNT". No water heater price published —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One reviewer praised tankless water heater exhaust-piping work and cleanup.
Worth knowing Too little water heater replacement feedback to assess installation pricing or outcomes.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Plumb Pros Inc.
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves. Based in Arvada, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: "10% OFF Off New Water Heater, Furnace, or Air Conditioner (Up to $500)" (Expires 10/31/26; offers may not be combined) — Its Denver water heater cost article publishes typical ranges, e.g. replacement "$900–$2,500 installed, depending on unit size and type" and repairs typically "$150 and $950"; after-hours/same-day emergency calls "typically an additional $75–$150 service fee" —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised clear explanations of tank and tankless options, polite crews and clean installations.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant said their home-improvement credit card was charged the full credit line instead of the contract amount after a water heater install.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Plumbline Services
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: "$250 Off a Water Heater Installation" (promo code 250-waterheater, expires 12/29/2026; existing residential only) — Water heater page also states a "$49 service fee (we waive the service charge if you choose us to repair the issue)" and that in-home estimates are free —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised replacements of old water heaters, clear explanations of options and code-related parts, and quotes that held without add-ons.
Worth knowing In a September 2026 BBB review, a customer said a water heater installed August 21, 2026 needed four return visits for the same loss of hot water; no business reply was shown.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
SWAN Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric
Lists Brighton among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water-heater-specific praise was found in the sources checked.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant said SWAN misjudged a water heater's age and recommended replacing it urgently, and that refunding the $3,600 deposit took multiple calls.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Order: companies based in Brighton 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. Colorado DORA license lookup ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING BRIGHTON
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN BRIGHTON
What Brighton homes are like.
1999Median year built
31%Built before 1980
72%Owner-occupied
78%Heat with utility gas
77%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1999. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
78% of homes heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters with existing venting are common here.
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 Brighton.
Emergency replacement rule
Brighton lets you replace a failed water heater before the permit is issued, as long as you apply by the next business day and don't cover up the work.
Use tax on top of the permit fee
Brighton adds use tax of 3.75% on 50% of the project value to building permits. Paying by credit card adds a 2.9% fee.
City of Brighton: Adopted Fee Regulations ↗ · 2026 City of Brighton Fees (All Departments), effective Jan 1, 2026 ↗
Reverse osmosis treatment
Brighton treats South Platte groundwater at its reverse osmosis plant and Beebe Draw water at a greensand filter plant. The city reports we checked didn't list a hardness number.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Brighton homes.
Energy
- Electric: United Power (The city says United Power provides electricity; we didn't check whether any Brighton addresses get Xcel electric)
- Gas: Xcel Energy (From City of Brighton Utilities)
Water
City of Brighton Utilities (groundwater from South Platte and Beebe Draw aquifers, treated by reverse osmosis and greensand filtration; plus purchased treated water via Westminster/Thornton)
City of Brighton: About Our Water ↗ · City of Brighton Drinking Water Quality Reports ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Brighton homes.
For United Power and Xcel Energy customers in Brighton. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- United Power electric water heater rebate ↗ActiveStarting Jan 1, 2026: $100 for switching from gas to an electric water heater (tank, 240 V, at least 40 gallons; heat pump units need a UEF of 3.30 or higher) and $200 for a ground-source heat pump desuperheater.
- Xcel Energy heat pump water heater rebate ↗Active$750 for an Xcel customer who installs a qualifying heat pump water heater.
- Colorado heat pump tax credit ↗Active for 2026 installs$250 credit for an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater installed in 2026, claimed by a state-registered contractor, who must pass at least $83 to you as an invoice discount.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 29, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Colorado rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Brighton.
Permits and who issues them
Brighton requires a permit to install a water heater. Apply on the city's OpenGov portal. In an emergency you can replace the heater first, but you must apply by the next business day and leave the work uncovered until it's inspected.
Yes. Brighton licenses contractors. In 2026, Class P plumbing is a $75 license plus $15 registration, Class M mechanical is the same, and Class MP is $100 plus $15. A Class P license must list a State Master Plumber.
City of Brighton Building Division (Development Services) ↗ · City of Brighton: Permitting ↗ · City of Brighton: Adopted Fee Regulations ↗ · 2026 City of Brighton Fees (All Departments), effective Jan 1, 2026 ↗ · City of Brighton: Contractor Licensing ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Colorado DORA license lookup ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Colorado licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Brighton.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce City | 6 mi | Required | By job value | United Power, Xcel Energy |
| Thornton | 8 mi | Required | By job value (from $30) | Xcel Energy, United Power |
| Northglenn | 11 mi | Required | By job value (from $23.50) | Xcel Energy |
| Welby | 13 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $24) | Xcel Energy |
| Broomfield | 14 mi | Required | By job value (from $23.50) | United Power, Xcel Energy |
| Federal Heights | 14 mi | Required | By job value (from $23.50) | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Brighton water heater questions.
My water heater failed. Can I replace it before getting a permit?
Yes. Brighton treats water heaters as emergency replacements. Apply by the next business day and leave the work uncovered for the inspector.
What does the permit cost?
It's based on job value: $23.50 for the first $500, plus $3.05 for each extra $100 up to $2,000, plus use tax of 3.75% on half the project value.
2026 City of Brighton Fees (All Departments), effective Jan 1, 2026 ↗ · City of Brighton: Adopted Fee Regulations ↗
Are there local rebates?
United Power pays $100 when you switch from a gas to an electric water heater that meets its rules (starting Jan 1, 2026). Tankless units and electric-for-electric replacements don't qualify.
United Power: Energy Efficient Water Heaters (rebates effective Jan 1, 2026) ↗
Can I install it myself?
Yes. Owners working on their own home don't need Brighton's contractor license, but you still need a permit.
City of Brighton: Contractor Licensing ↗ · City of Brighton: Permitting ↗
More guides: Colorado water heater replacement · All local guides