Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN FEDERAL HEIGHTS
Federal Heights Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓FEDERAL HEIGHTS AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Federal Heights.
Federal Heights requires a city permit to replace a water heater. The fee is based on job value, and there's no plan review fee for this work. Electrical permits come from the State of Colorado, not the city. Xcel Energy serves the city. All the water is bought from Westminster, with hardness of 112–152 ppm.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Federal Heights Building Department
- Permit fee
- Based on job value: $23.50 for $1–$500, then $23.50 plus $3.05 for each extra $100 up to $2,000. There's no plan review fee for water heater permits. Use tax is 4% of the materials cost, which can't be counted as less than 50% of the job value.
- Who gets the permit
- Homeowners can apply with the standard Building Permit Application. Contractors must file the city's Contractor's Registration Application.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- City of Federal Heights (100% of 2025 supply purchased as treated water from the City of Westminster) · 112–152 ppm (2025); the report notes 100 ppm is about 6 gpg
- Rebate worth checking
- Xcel Energy heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1989 (median) · 59% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 5 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 Federal Heights averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Federal Heights
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeBased on job value: $23.50 for $1–$500, then $23.50 plus $3.05 for each extra $100 up to $2,000. There's no plan review fee for water heater permits. Use tax is 4% of the materials cost, which can't be counted as less than 50% of the job value.. City of Federal Heights Building Department fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price5 of the companies listed for Federal Heights post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric, Hot Water Now!, Plumbline Services, Canyon Plumbing & Heating, Inc.. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Federal Heights average is shown.
What can change the price in Federal Heights?
Switching from electric to gas and running gas lines need their own permits. Electrical work needs a state permit, not a city one.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Federal Heights?
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 →
Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical
Lists Federal Heights 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.
Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric
Lists Federal Heights 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.
Hot Water Now!
Lists Federal Heights 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.
Plumbline Services
Lists Federal Heights 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.
Canyon Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Lists Federal Heights among the areas it serves. Based in Boulder, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons: "$150 OFF Water Heater Installation or Replacement" and "$250 OFF Tankless Water Heater Installation or Replacement" (also "$50 Any Service") —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in Federal Heights 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 FEDERAL HEIGHTS
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN FEDERAL HEIGHTS
What Federal Heights homes are like.
1989Median year built
33%Built before 1980
59%Owner-occupied
65%Heat with utility gas
22%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1989. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
65% 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 Federal Heights.
The state handles electrical permits
Federal Heights doesn't issue electrical permits. Electrical work, such as a circuit for an electric water heater, is permitted by the State of Colorado (DORA).
Federal Heights Building Department ↗ · Federal Heights Building Permit Requirements ↗
Water comes from Westminster
All of Federal Heights' water in 2025 was treated surface water bought from Westminster, so its hardness (112–152 ppm) is the same as Westminster's.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Federal Heights homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (Under the city's franchise (1997 comprehensive plan))
- Gas: Xcel Energy
Water
City of Federal Heights (100% of 2025 supply purchased as treated water from the City of Westminster): 112–152 ppm (2025); the report notes 100 ppm is about 6 gpg
Federal Heights 2026 Drinking Water Quality Report (2025 data) ↗ · Federal Heights Annual Water Quality Report page ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Federal Heights homes.
For Xcel Energy customers in Federal Heights. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- 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 Federal Heights.
Permits and who issues them
Federal Heights requires a permit to install or replace a water heater; use the city's fillable Building Permit Application. Schedule inspections by email (building@fedheights.org) or at 303-412-3534 by 3:30 p.m. the day before. Electrical permits come separately from the State of Colorado (DORA).
Yes. Contractors register with the city on the Contractor's Registration Application; subcontractors use a separate Subcontractor License Form.
City of Federal Heights Building Department ↗ · Federal Heights Building Department ↗ · Federal Heights Building Permit Fees ↗ · Federal Heights Building Permit Requirements (rev. Sept 13, 2023) ↗
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 Federal Heights.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherrelwood | 2 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $24) | Xcel Energy |
| Westminster | 3 mi | Required | $40 | Xcel Energy |
| Welby | 3 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $24) | Xcel Energy |
| Northglenn | 4 mi | Required | By job value (from $23.50) | Xcel Energy |
| Berkley | 4 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $24) | Xcel Energy |
| Thornton | 5 mi | Required | By job value (from $30) | Xcel Energy, United Power |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Federal Heights water heater questions.
Is there a plan review fee for a water heater permit in Federal Heights?
No. The city waives plan review fees for water heater permits that don't need a plan review.
Who issues electrical permits in Federal Heights?
The State of Colorado (DORA), not the city.
Where does Federal Heights' water come from?
In 2025, 100% of it was treated surface water bought from the City of Westminster.
More guides: Colorado water heater replacement · All local guides