Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN LAKEWOOD
Lakewood Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓LAKEWOOD AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Lakewood.
Lakewood requires a permit to replace a water heater; apply on its eTRAKiT portal. The fee schedule linked from the permit page lists a flat $80 per replacement appliance, but it's from 2021. If you own and live in a detached house, you can pull your own permit; a plumber you hire must be registered with Lakewood. Xcel Energy supplies electricity and gas. Water comes from one of about 20 providers, most of them supplied by Denver Water.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Lakewood Public Works – Building and Construction Permits
- Permit fee
- $80 flat per appliance to replace a water heater or boiler in an existing single-family home, duplex or townhome. This is from the January 2021 fee schedule, which is still the one linked from the city's permit page; the city says fees change from time to time.
- Who gets the permit
- If you own and live in a single-family detached house, you can pull the permit and do the work. You sign a Homeowner Permit Agreement and list yourself as the contractor for the system. Townhome and condo owners must hire registered subcontractors for systems work, and LLCs and trusts can't get homeowner permits. A contractor you hire must be registered with Lakewood and pull the permit.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- Varies by address: Lakewood Water Utility or one of roughly 20 other providers (e.g., Consolidated Mutual, Green Mountain W&S, Denver Water); most buy water from Denver Water · No Lakewood-specific figure. Denver Water's 2025 distribution-system total hardness averaged about 105 mg/L (range 55–124 mg/L); providers that buy from Denver Water receive this supply
- Rebate worth checking
- Xcel Energy heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1977 (median) · 58% 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 Lakewood averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Lakewood
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$80 flat per appliance to replace a water heater or boiler in an existing single-family home, duplex or townhome. This is from the January 2021 fee schedule, which is still the one linked from the city's permit page; the city says fees change from time to time.. City of Lakewood Public Works – Building and Construction Permits fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price9 of the companies listed for Lakewood post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Hot Water Now!, Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Electric, Flatirons Plumbing, Heating & Air, Plumb Pros Inc., Plumbline Services, Tipping Hat Plumbing, Heating & Electric. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Lakewood average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Lakewood?
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 →
Hot Water Now!
Lists Lakewood 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.
Z PLUMBERZ of Southwest Denver
Lists Lakewood among the areas it serves. Based in Lakewood, CO.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric
Lists Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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.
Also listing Lakewood: Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Denver, Plumb Pros Inc., Plumbline Services, SWAN Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric, Tipping Hat Plumbing, Heating & Electric.
Order: companies based in Lakewood 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 LAKEWOOD
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN LAKEWOOD
What Lakewood homes are like.
1977Median year built
56%Built before 1980
58%Owner-occupied
71%Heat with utility gas
57%Single-family homes
About 56% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
71% 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 Lakewood.
Your water provider depends on your address
Lakewood has many water and sanitation providers, and the city says nearly 20 of them buy from Denver Water. Check your bill to see which one serves you before you look up its water quality report.
Lakewood Drinking Water Utility ↗ · Water and sewer providers serving Lakewood ↗
Townhome and condo owners can't pull their own permits
Only owners who live in a single-family detached house can pull their own systems permits. Townhome and condo owners must hire registered subcontractors.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Lakewood homes.
Water
Varies by address: Lakewood Water Utility or one of roughly 20 other providers (e.g., Consolidated Mutual, Green Mountain W&S, Denver Water); most buy water from Denver Water: No Lakewood-specific figure. Denver Water's 2025 distribution-system total hardness averaged about 105 mg/L (range 55–124 mg/L); providers that buy from Denver Water receive this supply
Lakewood Drinking Water Utility ↗ · Water and sewer providers serving Lakewood (Dec 2024) ↗ · Denver Water 2026 Water Quality Report (2025 data) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Lakewood homes.
For Xcel Energy customers in Lakewood. 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 Lakewood.
Permits and who issues them
In Lakewood, everything except very minor cosmetic work needs a permit. A water heater replacement is its own systems permit, applied for on eTRAKiT. Request inspections on eTRAKiT too; requests made by 7 a.m. are usually done the same day.
Yes. Contractors must be registered with Lakewood and have an eTRAKiT contractor account. Class B plumbing contractors must show State of Colorado contractor's and master's licenses. Registration is $150 for the first (trial) year, then $400 for each 3-year renewal. Class C mechanical contractors can't install water heaters.
City of Lakewood Public Works – Building and Construction Permits ↗ · Lakewood Building and Construction Permits ↗ · Lakewood Permits for Homeowners (10-18-23) ↗ · Lakewood Building Permit & Inspection Fee Schedule (eff. Jan 1, 2021) ↗ · Lakewood 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 Lakewood.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat Ridge | 5 mi | Required | $60 | Xcel Energy |
| Golden | 6 mi | Required | By job value (from $25.85) | Xcel Energy |
| Englewood | 7 mi | Required | By job value (from $26.78) | Xcel Energy |
| Ken Caryl | 8 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $55) | Xcel Energy |
| Berkley | 9 mi | Required (county) | By job value (from $24) | Xcel Energy |
| Littleton | 9 mi | Required | By job value (from $25.85) | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Lakewood water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Lakewood?
Yes. Lakewood requires permits for everything but very minor cosmetic work, and a water heater replacement is its own systems permit on eTRAKiT.
What does the permit cost?
The fee schedule linked from the city's permit page lists $80 per appliance to replace a water heater (effective Jan. 1, 2021). The city says fees change from time to time, so check at 303-987-7500.
Can a mechanical (HVAC) contractor install my water heater in Lakewood?
No. Lakewood's Class C mechanical registration doesn't allow water heater installs. That work needs Class B plumbing, which requires state master's and contractor's licenses.
More guides: Colorado water heater replacement · All local guides