Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN HIGHLANDS RANCH
Highlands Ranch Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓HIGHLANDS RANCH AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Highlands Ranch.
Highlands Ranch is unincorporated, so you get a water heater permit from the Douglas County Building Division, not a city hall. A replacement is a 'basic' mechanical permit you can get online, with the fee based on job value (from $23.50). Water from Highlands Ranch Water is hard, about 11–13 grains per gallon.
Highlands Ranch is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, so county offices handle permits.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · Douglas County Building Division
- Permit fee
- Based on job value under Douglas County Table 10.3 (1997 UBC Table 1-A): $23.50 for $1–$500; $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 for each extra $1,000 (for example, $83.25 for a $3,000 job). There's no flat water heater fee.
- Who gets the permit
- A contractor registered or licensed with Douglas County, or the homeowner, who must sign the county's Homeowner Agreement saying they'll do the work themselves.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- Highlands Ranch Water (Centennial Water & Sanitation District) · 11–13 grains per gallon (188–222 mg/L), 'hard'; South Platte River is the main source; hardness is not removed in treatment
- Rebate worth checking
- Xcel Energy heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1997 (median) · 78% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 12 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 Highlands Ranch averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Highlands Ranch
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeBased on job value under Douglas County Table 10.3 (1997 UBC Table 1-A): $23.50 for $1–$500; $69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 for each extra $1,000 (for example, $83.25 for a $3,000 job). There's no flat water heater fee.. Douglas County Building Division fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price8 of the companies listed for Highlands Ranch post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric, Hot Water Now!, Mr Perfect Plumbing, Plumbline Services, Tipping Hat Plumbing, Heating & Electric. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Highlands Ranch average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Highlands Ranch?
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 Highlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch 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.
Hot Water Now!
Lists Highlands Ranch 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.
Mr Perfect Plumbing
Lists Highlands Ranch among the areas it serves. Based in Denver, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Page title: "Water Heater Replacement Denver | From $2,900". States: "Most Denver homeowners invest between $2,900 and $4,700 for a complete water heater replacement, including removal, installation, and all required code components." Financing example: "A standard $2,900 replacement financed over 60 months at an example 8.9% APR is about $60/month" —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised thorough explanations during a water heater flush and tankless service, and timely work on a replacement.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Plumbline Services
Lists Highlands Ranch 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.
Also listing Highlands Ranch: SWAN Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric, Tipping Hat Plumbing, Heating & Electric.
Order: companies based in Highlands Ranch 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 HIGHLANDS RANCH
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN HIGHLANDS RANCH
What Highlands Ranch homes are like.
1997Median year built
2%Built before 1980
78%Owner-occupied
75%Heat with utility gas
81%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1997. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
75% 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 Highlands Ranch.
Hard water, and a warning about softeners
Highlands Ranch Water reports hardness of 11–13 gpg. The district says softened water, which is high in sodium, shouldn't be used to water lawns and gardens, and that extra chloride from softeners could eventually affect its wastewater treatment.
Emergency replacements allowed
Douglas County lets you replace equipment in an emergency before the permit is issued, as long as you apply by the next business day.
Douglas County Building Division – Mechanical/Plumbing permits ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Highlands Ranch homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (Not confirmed for homes: the Metro District's streetlight-outage page sends residents to Xcel Energy, but we found no official list of home utilities.)
Highlands Ranch Metro District – Report a streetlight outage (redirects to Xcel Energy) ↗ · Highlands Ranch Metro District – New resident welcome ↗
Water
Highlands Ranch Water (Centennial Water & Sanitation District): 11–13 grains per gallon (188–222 mg/L), 'hard'; South Platte River is the main source; hardness is not removed in treatment
Highlands Ranch Water – Water hardness ↗ · Highlands Ranch Metro District – New resident welcome ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Highlands Ranch homes.
For Xcel Energy customers in Highlands Ranch. 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 Highlands Ranch.
Permits and who issues them
Highlands Ranch is unincorporated, so the Douglas County Building Division issues the permit. A water heater replacement is a 'basic' mechanical permit with no plan review. Get it online through the county's eSubmittal system, or in person, by mail or by fax. In an emergency you can replace the heater first, as long as you apply by the next business day.
Yes. Plumbing and electrical contractors must show State of Colorado (DORA) licenses and register with Douglas County. Mechanical contractors must be licensed by Douglas County. Registration has been free in unincorporated Douglas County since July 1, 2013.
Douglas County Building Division ↗ · Douglas County Building Division – Mechanical/Plumbing permits ↗ · Douglas County Building Division Fees (Table 10.3, dated 6/29/2018) ↗ · Douglas County contractor registration ↗
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 Highlands Ranch.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Littleton | 4 mi | Required | By job value (from $25.85) | Xcel Energy |
| Lone Tree | 5 mi | Required | By job value (from $23.50) | Xcel Energy |
| Greenwood Village | 6 mi | Required | By job value (from $1) | Xcel Energy |
| Centennial | 7 mi | Required | By job value (from $23.50) | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative |
| Cherry Creek | 7 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $94.73) | Xcel Energy |
| Englewood | 7 mi | Required | By job value (from $26.78) | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Highlands Ranch water heater questions.
Who issues a water heater permit in Highlands Ranch?
The Douglas County Building Division. Highlands Ranch is unincorporated, and you can get a basic replacement permit online through the county's eSubmittal system.
Douglas County Building Division – Mechanical/Plumbing permits ↗
Can a homeowner pull the permit?
Yes. Douglas County accepts homeowner applications with a signed Homeowner Agreement saying the owner will do the work.
Douglas County Building Division – Mechanical/Plumbing permits ↗ · Douglas County contractor registration ↗
How hard is the water?
Highlands Ranch Water reports 11–13 grains per gallon (188–222 mg/L). That's hard water.
More guides: Colorado water heater replacement · All local guides