Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN TAMPA
Tampa 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 ↓TAMPA AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Tampa.
Yes, Tampa requires a permit for a water heater replacement, but there's no plan review: a home trade permit is $120 plus the state surcharge, and the final inspection can be done by uploading photos. Tampa Electric supplies power. Tampa's river water averaged 12.3 grains per gallon of hardness in 2025, and it's harder in the dry season.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Tampa Development & Growth Management, Construction Services Division
- Permit fee
- $120 residential Plumbing (general) trade permit, plus the Florida building permit surcharge (2.5% of permit value, $4 minimum). The schedule has no water heater line; it's been in effect since Oct 1, 2018, last updated Feb 16, 2023.
- Who gets the permit
- A licensed contractor, or an owner doing the work on their own home (upload an Owner-Builder Acknowledgement form in Accela). Owner-builders can't hire out plumbing, electrical or mechanical work.
- Electric utility
- Tampa Electric (TECO)
- Gas utility
- Peoples Gas
- Water
- City of Tampa Water Department (Hillsborough River is the main source) · 211 mg/L (12.3 grains per gallon) average, 2025 report. The city says hardness swings seasonally, from about 140 to 300 ppm (8 to 17 gpg).
- Rebate worth checking
- Peoples Gas residential water heating rebates (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1985 (median) · 50% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 11 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 Tampa averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Tampa
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$120 residential Plumbing (general) trade permit, plus the Florida building permit surcharge (2.5% of permit value, $4 minimum). The schedule has no water heater line; it's been in effect since Oct 1, 2018, last updated Feb 16, 2023.. City of Tampa Development & Growth Management, Construction Services Division fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price3 of the companies listed for Tampa post water heater prices or specials on their websites: EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com, The Clean Plumbers, Apex Plumbing. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Tampa average is shown.
What can change the price in Tampa?
The photo inspection checklist is only for straight replacements, not moves or switches to another type. New natural gas or LP piping is a separate $162 residential gas permit, and an electrical service upgrade is a $120 electrical permit.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Tampa?
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 →
Cool Today - Cooling, Plumbing, Electrical (Tampa)
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised quick response to a water heater problem, polite technicians and fast, clean water heater installation.
Worth knowing A Pinellas County customer complained to BBB (2024) that a 2023 water heater install lacked the required permit; after the complaint the company pulled the permit and the customer reported a passed final inspection.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: $100 OFF Water Heater (residential service; cannot be combined; limited-time). No installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised quick arrival (one within 45 minutes), accommodating evening appointments, tidy technicians and no-pressure water heater replacements.
Worth knowing Yelp reviewers alleged a 2015 technician pushed a $1400 water heater replacement then charged $150 for a temporary pipe boot, a 2019 visit charged about $160 without fixing a no-hot-water issue and a manager didn't call back, and a 2026 reviewer said pricing was only given once the tech was in the home; no company replies to these were visible.
6 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
The Clean Plumbers
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Promotions: 5% off any water heater (tank, tankless, hybrid and lifetime); $250 off a water quality (filtration or softener) and water heater combo; waived service call fee for water heater estimates. Restrictions apply.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised a leaking water heater fixed within hours of an after-hours call and a technician who tested every faucet after installing a new heater.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant (Nov 2024) said a water heater the company installed failed after about three years and the company pushed a costly replacement; the company said its labor warranty is one year and the manufacturer's six years, and the customer disputed its details.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (Tampa)
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Apex Plumbing
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in Clearwater.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Tankless Water Heater Special: "Endless Hot Water As Low As $33/Month" (financing-style offer, terms apply, expires September 30, 2026). No installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised quick response (one crew arrived within an hour), fair quotes compared with other companies, same-day replacement and clean, efficient work.
Worth knowing One Yelp reviewer (Jun 2022) said a 40-gallon water heater install quoted at $1700 became $2100; the owner replied he could not find the customer's name in his records and invited contact, and another reviewer (2025) said there were issues with an install that a manager then made right.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
DAM Plumbing and Drain
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in Oldsmar.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised same-day response restoring hot water from a tankless heater, clean on-time installation and follow-up after a tankless replacement.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer (Sep 2026) said a tankless water heater installed by the company did not hold a consistent temperature, the plumber argued with them, and their working old unit was thrown away; the owner replied that the new heater was customer-supplied, that old equipment is disposed of unless customers ask otherwise, and that he had tried daily to reach the customer.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
IERNA'S Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Lists Tampa 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 Tampa 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.
R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in New Port Richey.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One BBB reviewer said the company responded quickly to install a water heater when theirs broke.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers alleged a hybrid water heater still under a 10-year warranty was replaced at their cost, an element repair failed to fix a heater that needed replacing, a different tank shape was installed than requested, and a short flush cost $300; the company said it refunded $478.62, $105 and $164.11 in three of those cases.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Brandon
Lists Tampa among the areas it serves. Based in Riverview.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Also listing Tampa: Mr Water Heater.
Order: companies based in Tampa 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) ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING TAMPA
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN TAMPA
What Tampa homes are like.
1985Median year built
45%Built before 1980
50%Owner-occupied
6%Heat with utility gas
57%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1985. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
92% 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 Tampa.
Final inspection by photo
For a straight replacement, Tampa's checklist asks for photos of: the T&P valve, relief drain line and where it empties; the pan and pan drain (where required); clearances; the stand (where required); insulation on the hot outlet; a vacuum relief valve on bottom-feed heaters; the electrical disconnect, breaker and panel label; and a thermal expansion device if there's a backflow preventer. Where the location calls for it, the heater also needs impact protection, like a post or wheel stop.
City of Tampa Offline Field Report Checklist: Water Heater Replacement (Rev 03/2026) ↗
Hardness varies by season
Tampa's water is hardest in the dry season and softest in the wet season, between about 8 and 17 grains per gallon. The city notes that softener resin can break down and settle in water heaters, and softened water may be harder on pipes.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Tampa homes.
Energy
- Electric: Tampa Electric (TECO) (Serves all of Hillsborough County)
- Gas: Peoples Gas (Natural gas where mains exist; check your address with the ZIP code tool)
Tampa Electric: Service Area & Reliability ↗ · Peoples Gas: Tampa appliance & sales providers (Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas) ↗ · Peoples Gas ZIP Code Check ↗
Water
City of Tampa Water Department (Hillsborough River is the main source): 211 mg/L (12.3 grains per gallon) average, 2025 report. The city says hardness swings seasonally, from about 140 to 300 ppm (8 to 17 gpg).
Tampa Water Department 2025 Water Quality Report ↗ · City of Tampa: Understanding Water Hardness ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Tampa homes.
For Tampa Electric (TECO) and Peoples Gas customers in Tampa. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Peoples Gas residential water heating rebates ↗ActiveNatural gas tank water heater: $350 gas-to-gas or $550 electric-to-gas ($400 / $650 for ENERGY STAR tanks).
- 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 Tampa.
Permits and who issues them
Tampa lists water heater replacement as a project that needs a permit but no plan review. It's issued through Express Permits as an Electric or Plumbing Trade Permit in the Accela portal. The final plumbing inspection can be done by photo: upload the checklist photos in the VuSpex app, and the inspection is set automatically for the next business day.
Tampa's FAQ says all contractors in regulated trades must be licensed by the local jurisdiction or the State of Florida.
City of Tampa Development & Growth Management, Construction Services Division ↗ · City of Tampa Construction Services FAQ ↗ · City of Tampa: Residential Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical ↗ · City of Tampa Trade Permit Fee Schedule (effective Oct 1, 2018; updated 2/16/2023) ↗ · City of Tampa Offline Field Report Checklist: Water Heater Replacement (Rev 03/2026) ↗ · City of Tampa Accela guide: upload Owner-Builder Acknowledgement form ↗
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 Tampa.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt Lake-Leto | 4 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Carrollwood | 6 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Town 'n' Country | 7 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Palm River-Clair Mel | 7 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| East Lake-Orient Park | 7 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Lake Magdalene | 8 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Tampa water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in Tampa?
$120 for the residential Plumbing (general) permit, plus a Florida surcharge of 2.5% of permit value ($4 minimum). The schedule dates from 2018 and was last updated in February 2023.
City of Tampa Trade Permit Fee Schedule (effective Oct 1, 2018; updated 2/16/2023) ↗
Does an inspector have to come to my house?
Not for a straight replacement. The contractor uploads the required photos in the VuSpex app, and the inspection is set automatically for the next business day. Moves and switches to another type aren't covered by that checklist.
City of Tampa Offline Field Report Checklist: Water Heater Replacement (Rev 03/2026) ↗
How hard is Tampa's water?
Hard. The 2025 average was 211 mg/L, or 12.3 grains per gallon, and it swings between about 8 and 17 gpg over the year.
Tampa Water Department 2025 Water Quality Report ↗ · City of Tampa: Understanding Water Hardness ↗
More guides: Florida water heater replacement · All local guides