Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN GOLDEN
Golden 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 ↓GOLDEN AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Golden.
Golden requires a permit to install or replace a water heater. The fee is based on job value and starts at $25.85, plus a 3% building use tax on materials, and there's a final plumbing inspection. Every contractor on the job needs a City of Golden license ($100 per trade). Golden also has its own heat pump water heater rebate: up to $750, or $1,500 for low-income households, on top of a matching Xcel rebate.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Golden Building Division
- Permit fee
- Based on job value (table effective 05/01/11, Resolutions 1097/1648/2121): $25.85 for $1-$500; $25.85 plus $3.36 for each extra $100 up to $2,000; $76.18 plus $15.40 for each extra $1,000 up to $25,000. Add 3% building use tax on materials (1.5% of the total job value), paid up front with the permit. A 65% plan review fee may apply.
- Who gets the permit
- Every licensed contractor must be listed on the permit before it's issued. Homeowners can do their own work; for them, job value is figured as the cost of materials times two.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- City of Golden · City describes its water as 'soft' to 'moderately hard' (no number given)
- Rebate worth checking
- City of Golden Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1989 (median) · 57% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 15 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 Golden averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Golden
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeBased on job value (table effective 05/01/11, Resolutions 1097/1648/2121): $25.85 for $1-$500; $25.85 plus $3.36 for each extra $100 up to $2,000; $76.18 plus $15.40 for each extra $1,000 up to $25,000. Add 3% building use tax on materials (1.5% of the total job value), paid up front with the permit. A 65% plan review fee may apply.. City of Golden Building Division fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price11 of the companies listed for Golden post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Golden Plumbing Company, Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric, Flatirons Plumbing, Heating & Air, Hot Water Now!, Plumb Pros Inc., Plumbline Services, Tipping Hat Plumbing, Heating & Electric, Canyon Plumbing & Heating, Inc.. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Golden average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Golden?
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 →
Golden Plumbing Company
Lists Golden among the areas it serves. Based in Golden, CO.
Published price: Coupon: "$150 Off Water Heater Installation" (Limit one per household; cannot be combined) — Homepage: "Diagnostic / service call fee: $95" —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric
Lists Golden 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 Golden 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.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver
Lists Golden among the areas it serves. Based in Westminster, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Special offers page lists "$999 off Tankless Water Heaters" and "Free Under Counter Water Filtration System with purchase of Water Heater ($1,000 value)" (valid at participating locations; one coupon per household; an expiry of 2026-09-30 is shown among the offers) —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A 2019 HomeAdvisor reviewer called the water heater installation efficient and professional, on time, with good explanations.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Blue Sky Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical
Lists Golden 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.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Denver
Lists Golden among the areas it serves. Based in Centennial, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A reviewer praised a technician who replaced an old water heater with a tankless unit and repaired a drain, calling the price reasonable for the work.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric
Lists Golden 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.
Castle Rock Heating & Air
Lists Golden among the areas it serves. Based in Castle Rock, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Company-hosted testimonials praise an on-time 50-gallon Rheem installation, a friendly technician's repair of a failed water heater valve, and a tune-up without pressure to buy extras.
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 Golden 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 Golden 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.
Also listing Golden: Plumb Pros Inc., Plumbline Services, Tipping Hat Plumbing, Heating & Electric, Canyon Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Z PLUMBERZ of Southwest Denver.
Order: companies based in Golden 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 GOLDEN
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN GOLDEN
What Golden homes are like.
1989Median year built
43%Built before 1980
57%Owner-occupied
73%Heat with utility gas
55%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1989. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
73% 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 Golden.
You need the permit to get the rebate
Golden's heat pump water heater rebate requires a valid City of Golden building permit. Skip the permit and you lose the rebate.
Label the expansion tank
Golden's inspection guide says thermal expansion tanks must be installed the way the manufacturer says and labeled with their set pressure.
Check that you're inside city limits
Golden's contractor license applies only inside city limits. The city suggests the Jefferson County Address Wizard to check whether your address is in the city.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Golden homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (City rebates require a matching Xcel Energy rebate)
Water
City of Golden: City describes its water as 'soft' to 'moderately hard' (no number given)
City of Golden: Water Treatment Plant ↗ · City of Golden: Water Service ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Golden homes.
For Xcel Energy customers in Golden. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- City of Golden Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate ↗ActiveUp to $750 (regular) or up to $1,500 (low income) for an electric heat pump water heater.
- 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 Golden.
Permits and who issues them
Golden's Required Building Permits Guide lists 'Water Heater Installation or Replacement' as needing a permit. Apply on the city's online permit portal. A final plumbing inspection is required after the install. Thermal expansion tanks must be installed the way the manufacturer says and labeled with their set pressure.
Yes. Any contractor working on a permitted project inside city limits needs a City of Golden contractor license ($100 per trade; free for electrical contractors). No liability certificate is needed, but plumbers must give their state license information.
City of Golden Building Division ↗ · City of Golden: Required Building Permits Guide ↗ · City of Golden: Building Permit Process ↗ · City of Golden: Building Permit Fees table ↗ · City of Golden: Contractor License ↗ · City of Golden: Taxes & Fees ↗
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 Golden.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 6 mi | Required | $80 | Xcel Energy |
| Wheat Ridge | 6 mi | Required | $60 | Xcel Energy |
| Arvada | 7 mi | Required | $55 | Xcel Energy |
| Berkley | 11 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $24) | Xcel Energy |
| Westminster | 12 mi | Required | $40 | Xcel Energy |
| Ken Caryl | 13 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $55) | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Golden water heater questions.
Does Golden offer its own rebate for a heat pump water heater?
Yes: up to $750, or up to $1,500 for low-income households. The heater must qualify for and get a matching Xcel Energy rebate, and you need proof of installation and a Golden building permit.
Does my plumber need a Golden license?
Yes. Any contractor on a permitted project inside city limits needs a City of Golden contractor license ($100 per trade), and plumbers must also give their state license information.
How is the permit fee figured for a homeowner doing their own work?
Your job value is the cost of materials times two. That goes into the fee table ($25.85 for up to $500, plus $3.36 for each extra $100 to $2,000), plus 3% use tax on materials.
City of Golden: Building Permit Process ↗ · City of Golden: Building Permit Fees table ↗
More guides: Colorado water heater replacement · All local guides