Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN EAST LAKE
East Lake Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓EAST LAKE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in East Lake.
East Lake is unincorporated, so Pinellas County issues water heater permits, usually as a quick Express permit. Duke Energy supplies power and CGS Energy supplies gas. The area east of Lake Tarpon, between Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor and Oldsmar, is mostly 1980s and 1990s subdivisions (about 75% of roughly 15,000 homes). About 83% of households own, and the median home value is near $490,000.
East Lake is an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, so county offices handle permits.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services, unincorporated Pinellas County
- Who gets the permit
- Licensed contractors can apply online. Owner-builders must apply for Express permits in person at 440 Court Street, Clearwater, and follow Florida's owner-builder disclosure rules (F.S. 489.103(7)).
- Electric utility
- Duke Energy Florida
- Gas utility
- CGS Energy (Clearwater Gas System)
- Water
- Pinellas County Utilities · 217 ppm average total hardness (range 189–244), about 11.1–14.3 grains per gallon; 2025 report
- Rebate worth checking
- Duke Energy Florida heat pump water heater rebate (Home Energy Improvement) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1990 (median) · 83% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 2 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 East Lake averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in East Lake
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised priceNone of the local company websites we checked list a full installed price.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no East Lake average is shown.
What can change the price in East Lake?
Pinellas has separate Express permit types for moving a water heater ('Water Relocate/Tank or Tankless or New Tank'), switching from electric to gas, and replacing a natural gas water heater.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in East Lake?
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 →
IERNA'S Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Lists East Lake among the areas it serves. Based in Lutz.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water heater-specific praise was found in the sources checked.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer (Aug 2025) alleged a water heater installed for a family member had an undrained, improperly routed pressure relief line and that a promised manager callback did not come; an earlier manager reply on the same review promised outreach.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
Performance Air Conditioning, Electric & Plumbing
Lists East Lake among the areas it serves. Based in Clearwater.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water heater-specific praise was found in the sources checked.
Worth knowing A BBB reviewer (May 2025) said that after a late arrival and a $240 diagnostic deposit on an $870 quote to install a customer-supplied hot water heater, the company did not return calls to schedule the job; the company apologized and said it had escalated the matter.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
Order: companies based in East Lake 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. DBPR license search (MyFloridaLicense) ↗.
See before-and-after replacement examples from independent companies →
HOMES IN EAST LAKE
What East Lake homes are like.
1990Median year built
12%Built before 1980
83%Owner-occupied
4%Heat with utility gas
68%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1990. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
94% of homes heat with electricity, which usually means an electric water heater. It’s worth getting a price on a heat pump model too.
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 East Lake.
1980s–90s subdivisions
Census estimates show about 38% of East Lake homes were built in the 1990s and 37% in the 1980s, with very few before 1970. Many homes have already had at least one new heater, so check the current unit's age and label before ordering the same type.
U.S. Census Bureau – ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, housing tables B25024/B25034/B25035/B25040 (Census Reporter profile) ↗ · data.census.gov – community profile ↗
Many attached homes
Only about 55% of homes are detached houses. Most of the rest are condos, townhomes and apartments. In attached homes, the heater is often indoors, where a leak can reach the neighbors, and the association may have rules on access and contractor insurance.
U.S. Census Bureau – ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, housing tables B25024/B25034/B25035/B25040 (Census Reporter profile) ↗ · data.census.gov – community profile ↗
CGS Energy allowances
Clearwater's CGS Energy serves north Pinellas. If you buy the heater from CGS with approval first, it pays $350 to replace a gas tank, $525 to switch a tank to gas, $550 to replace a tankless and $675 to switch to tankless gas. About 3.5% of East Lake households heat with utility gas.
CGS Energy – Natural Gas Incentives ↗ · U.S. Census Bureau – ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, housing tables B25024/B25034/B25035/B25040 (Census Reporter profile) ↗ · data.census.gov – community profile ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies East Lake homes.
Energy
- Electric: Duke Energy Florida (serves Pinellas County; check your address)
- Gas: CGS Energy (Clearwater Gas System) (serves northern and central Pinellas County)
Duke Energy Florida service territory map (PDF) ↗ · City of Clearwater – Gas System (CGS Energy service area) ↗
Water
Pinellas County Utilities: 217 ppm average total hardness (range 189–244), about 11.1–14.3 grains per gallon; 2025 report
Pinellas County Utilities 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (PDF) ↗ · Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan – Potable Water Supply element (PDF, 2012 data) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for East Lake homes.
For Duke Energy Florida and CGS Energy (Clearwater Gas System) customers in East Lake. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Duke Energy Florida heat pump water heater rebate (Home Energy Improvement) ↗Active$500 for a 50-gallon or $800 for an 80-gallon ENERGY STAR heat pump (hybrid) water heater with a UEF of at least 3.3.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Florida rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in East Lake.
Permits and who issues them
East Lake is unincorporated, so Pinellas County issues the permit. 'Water Heater Equal Change Out, Tank or Tankless' is an Express permit you apply for on the Pinellas County Access Portal (Accela), and Express permits often come through fast.
Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services, unincorporated Pinellas County ↗ · Pinellas County – Express Permits ↗ · Pinellas County – Building, Transportation and Zoning Fees ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the DBPR license search (MyFloridaLicense) ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Florida licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near East Lake.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity | 5 mi | Required (county) | $45 | Duke Energy Florida |
| Palm Harbor | 5 mi | Required (county) | — | Duke Energy Florida |
| Keystone | 5 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Oldsmar | 5 mi | Required | — | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Holiday | 5 mi | Required (county) | $45 | Duke Energy Florida |
| Tarpon Springs | 6 mi | Required | $75 | Duke Energy Florida |
COMMON QUESTIONS
East Lake water heater questions.
Which gas utility serves East Lake?
CGS Energy, the City of Clearwater's gas utility, which covers north Pinellas. Its water heater allowances only apply to heaters bought from CGS with approval first.
Is East Lake part of Tarpon Springs or Oldsmar?
No. It's unincorporated, so Pinellas County issues the permit, usually as an Express Permit.
Pinellas County – Express Permits ↗ · Wikipedia – East Lake, Pinellas County, Florida ↗
More guides: Florida water heater replacement · All local guides