Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN COLORADO SPRINGS
Colorado Springs Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓COLORADO SPRINGS AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Colorado Springs.
In Colorado Springs, you get a water heater permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). It's $40 to replace a home water heater, or $75 if the vent is replaced too. Colorado Springs Utilities, owned by the city, supplies electricity, natural gas and water.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD)
- Permit fee
- $40 for a home water heater replacement, or $75 for a replacement that includes the vent (PPRBD's current fee schedule; the page shows ICC valuation data effective June 30, 2025)
- Who gets the permit
- Either a PPRBD-licensed and registered contractor (a mechanical license covers gas piping and gas appliances) or the homeowner. A homeowner can pull the permit only for work they do themselves on the main home they own and live in. Pulling a permit for a hired contractor is illegal.
- Electric utility
- Colorado Springs Utilities
- Gas utility
- Colorado Springs Utilities
- Water
- Colorado Springs Utilities · Varies by treatment plant, per Colorado Springs Utilities. A 2024 Cherokee Metropolitan District presentation reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette cited 38 mg/L as calcium carbonate for CSU water; this is a secondary figure, not from a CSU report.
- Rebate worth checking
- Residential Water Heater Rebate – Heat Pump Water Heater (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1986 (median) · 61% 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 Colorado Springs averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Colorado Springs
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$40 for a home water heater replacement, or $75 for a replacement that includes the vent (PPRBD's current fee schedule; the page shows ICC valuation data effective June 30, 2025). Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price6 of the companies listed for Colorado Springs post water heater prices or specials on their websites: BullsEye Plumbing Heating & Air, B&L Plumbing and Heating, Home Heating Service, Inc., Ellis Wyatt MEP, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Colorado Springs, Water Heater Pros LLC. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Colorado Springs average is shown.
What can change the price in Colorado Springs?
A replacement that includes the vent costs $75 instead of $40. PPRBD's handout says existing cellular-core plastic vent pipe must be removed and replaced, and new plastic exhaust pipe must be air-tested at 5 psi. Other plumbing, electrical, gas and heating work without a building permit is priced by job value (Table C, from $50 for $100–$500).
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Colorado Springs?
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 →
BullsEye Plumbing Heating & Air
Lists Colorado Springs among the areas it serves. Based in Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (street address not captured from site; third-party listing gives 3320 N Hancock Ave).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Financing only: 'Water heaters as low as $42/month with approved credit'; site advertises 'Lowest Prices Guaranteed*' —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised same-day service and a technician who tested an 11-year-old water heater and advised draining it instead of replacing it.
Worth knowing A BBB/Yelp reviewer said the water heater caught fire at the control valve after a thermocouple replacement and the company asked them to pay for a new unit; other reviewers and BBB complainants disputed charges for water heater leak repairs and a tankless diagnosis that did not fix the problem.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
B&L Plumbing and Heating
Lists Colorado Springs among the areas it serves. Based in 6160 Lake Shore Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 80915.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Tankless page: 'Tankless water heater installation typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 including the unit and labor' with flat-rate quotes. Coupons: $50 off any water heater; $100 off tankless water heater installation or replacement (must mention online ad; not valid on trip charge or diagnostic fee) — ;
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised quick scheduling, including a Sunday visit that restored hot water, and knowledgeable technicians for water heater repair.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant disputed a $4,170 water heater replacement bill that was not itemized; B&L said it uses flat task pricing covering a power-vent unit, venting upgrade and expansion tank required by code.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Home Heating Service, Inc.
Lists Colorado Springs among the areas it serves. Based in 1565 Tuskegee Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80915.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Special: water heater flush starting from $110 —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised polite, thorough installers who explained their work, a timely install, a tankless water heater check, and quick scheduling after a leak.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Ellis Wyatt MEP
Lists Colorado Springs among the areas it serves. Based in 3246 Centennial Blvd Suite 287, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: $999 flat labor for a standard tank water heater installation, parts billed separately at cost (typically $400–$800 for a 40/50-gal gas tank); says total installs usually land between $1,400 and $1,800 —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Colorado Springs
Lists Colorado Springs among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
Published price: Special offers (expire 09/30/2026): $200 off water heater special; $500 off tankless water heater installation; $75 off any plumbing service of $250 or more —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Water Heater Pros LLC
Lists Colorado Springs among the areas it serves. Based in 3415 Chelton Loop South, Unit B, Colorado Springs, CO.
- Tank
Published price: Installed prices: 40 gal natural-gas atmospheric $1,999; 50 gal NG atmospheric $2,199; 40 gal electric $1,799; 50 gal electric $1,999; 50 gal liquid propane $2,399; 38–40 gal lowboy crawlspace $2,550; 47 gal lowboy crawlspace $2,900. 'Prices include full installation, water heater, expansion tank, connectors, tax, permit, parts and disposal'; 3.0% credit-card fee —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Wild Water Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Lists Colorado Springs among the areas it serves. Based in 4320 Barnes Road, Suite 120, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
- Tank
- Tankless
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in Colorado Springs 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 COLORADO SPRINGS
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN COLORADO SPRINGS
What Colorado Springs homes are like.
1986Median year built
39%Built before 1980
61%Owner-occupied
70%Heat with utility gas
69%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1986. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
70% 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 Colorado Springs.
PPRBD's water heater checklist
PPRBD's handout (dated 03/04/24) lists what inspectors check. You need 30 inches of work space on the control side. The heater can't sit in a bedroom, bathroom or storage closet unless code exceptions are met. In a garage, the burner must be at least 18 inches off the floor unless the unit is FVIR (built to resist igniting flammable vapors). Inspectors also look for a gas shutoff within 6 feet, a new listed gas connector (you can't reuse the old one), a shutoff on the cold water line, and an expansion tank when there's a PRV, check valve or backflow preventer. Carbon monoxide detectors are required if the home has an attached garage or a gas-burning appliance.
PPRBD handout – Water Heater Replacements and Installation (dated 03/04/24) ↗
Old plastic vent pipe must go
PPRBD requires old cellular-core plastic vent pipe to be removed and replaced with material the manufacturer allows. New plastic exhaust pipe must pass a 5 psi air test under a Colorado state rule. PPRBD charges $75 instead of $40 for a replacement that includes the vent.
PPRBD handout – Water Heater Replacements and Installation (dated 03/04/24) ↗ · PPRBD – Current building permit fee schedule (Appendix B, 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code; ICC valuation data effective June 30, 2025) ↗
Unpermitted work costs double
If work that needs a permit starts without one, PPRBD charges an investigation fee of twice the permit fee, on top of the permit fee. PPRBD also says unpermitted work can lead to a stop-work order and a Certificate of Alleged Non-compliance recorded against the property with the county clerk.
PPRBD – Current building permit fee schedule (Appendix B, 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code; ICC valuation data effective June 30, 2025) ↗ · PPRBD – Homeowner permits ↗
One utility for power, gas and water
Colorado Springs Utilities is owned by the city and provides electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater. Its water heater rebates (heat pump and ENERGY STAR gas units) are for its customers.
Colorado Springs Utilities – Official Statement (Aug 7, 2024), Electric System and Gas System sections ↗ · Colorado Springs Utilities – Residential water heater rebates ↗
Hardness depends on the treatment plant
Colorado Springs Utilities says your water's hardness depends on which treatment plant supplies it. It points customers to the Water Quality Summary in its report or to waterquality@csu.org. The 2026 report didn't include a hardness number.
Colorado Springs Utilities – Water quality (FAQ: hard or soft water) ↗ · Colorado Springs Utilities – 2026 Drinking Water Quality Report (2025 data) ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Colorado Springs homes.
Energy
- Electric: Colorado Springs Utilities (Owned by the city; serves the Colorado Springs metro area)
- Gas: Colorado Springs Utilities (City-owned gas system)
Water
Colorado Springs Utilities: Varies by treatment plant, per Colorado Springs Utilities. A 2024 Cherokee Metropolitan District presentation reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette cited 38 mg/L as calcium carbonate for CSU water; this is a secondary figure, not from a CSU report.
Colorado Springs Utilities – Water quality (FAQ: hard or soft water) ↗ · Colorado Springs Utilities – 2026 Drinking Water Quality Report (2025 data) ↗ · Colorado Springs Gazette – 'Cherokee Metro District customers call for a fix to hard water woes' (March 3, 2024) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Colorado Springs homes.
For Colorado Springs Utilities customers in Colorado Springs. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Residential Water Heater Rebate – Heat Pump Water Heater ↗ActiveUp to $750 for a qualifying ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater.
- Residential Water Heater Rebate – Natural Gas Water Heater ↗Active$300 for a qualifying ENERGY STAR natural gas water heater; qualifying boilers get $1,200.
- 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 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Colorado rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Colorado Springs.
Permits and who issues them
PPRBD lists water heaters as needing a permit, and its handout says gas and electric water heater installs both need a permit and inspections. PPRBD is the building department for the City of Colorado Springs, unincorporated El Paso County and several nearby towns. Apply with PPRBD; it says many projects can be permitted fully online. A replacement gets a final plumbing inspection, plus heating and electrical inspections where needed.
Yes. PPRBD says any contractor you hire must be licensed and registered with it, and a contractor whose license isn't in good standing can't get a permit.
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) ↗ · PPRBD – About Us ↗ · PPRBD – Homeowner permits ↗ · PPRBD handout – Water Heater Replacements and Installation (dated 03/04/24) ↗ · PPRBD – Current building permit fee schedule (Appendix B, 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code; ICC valuation data effective June 30, 2025) ↗ · PPRBD – Required inspections by project type ↗ · PPRBD – License types ↗
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 Colorado Springs.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cimarron Hills | 3 mi | Required (county) | $40 | Colorado Springs Utilities, Mountain View Electric Association |
| Security-Widefield | 8 mi | Required (county) | $40 | Fountain Utilities, Mountain View Electric Association |
| Fountain | 13 mi | Required | $40 | Fountain Utilities, Colorado Springs Utilities, Mountain View Electric Association |
| Black Forest | 14 mi | Required (county) | $40 | Mountain View Electric Association |
| Monument | 15 mi | Required | $40 | Mountain View Electric Association, CORE Electric Cooperative (listed by the town as IREA) |
| Castle Rock | 36 mi | Required | $75 | CORE Electric Cooperative |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Colorado Springs water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in Colorado Springs?
$40 to replace a home water heater, or $75 if the vent is replaced too, from PPRBD's fee schedule.
Can I pull the permit myself?
Only if you do the work yourself on the home you own and live in. If you hire a contractor, the contractor must be licensed and registered with PPRBD and must pull the permit.
What will the inspector look for?
PPRBD's handout covers work space, garage installs (18 inches up unless FVIR), venting (old cellular-core plastic vent must be replaced), the gas shutoff and connector, the T&P relief line, an expansion tank where needed, and CO detectors.
PPRBD handout – Water Heater Replacements and Installation (dated 03/04/24) ↗
More guides: Colorado water heater replacement · All local guides