Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN DECATUR
Decatur Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓DECATUR AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Decatur.
Decatur requires a plumbing permit for any plumbing work, no matter what it costs. Its FY 25-26 fees set a $60 plumbing minimum plus a $25 e-permitting fee. Permits for replacements usually come through in one to three days. DeKalb County supplies the water.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division
- Permit fee
- The plumbing permit minimum is $60. Water heaters are $10 each, so replacing one costs the $60 minimum. A $25 e-permitting and digital plan review fee is added for each item (Consolidated Schedule of Fees, marked 'Proposed FY 25-26').
- Electric utility
- Georgia Power
- Water
- DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management
- Rebate worth checking
- Home Energy Improvement Program – Heat Pump Water Heater (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1975 (median) · 64% 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 Decatur averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Decatur
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeThe plumbing permit minimum is $60. Water heaters are $10 each, so replacing one costs the $60 minimum. A $25 e-permitting and digital plan review fee is added for each item (Consolidated Schedule of Fees, marked 'Proposed FY 25-26').. City of Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price7 of the companies listed for Decatur post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Estes Services, High Priority Plumbing and Services, Inc., R.S. Andrews, Reliable Heating & Air, Plumbing & Electrical, Superior Plumbing, Allgood Home Services (ARS/Rescue Rooter), RooterPLUS!. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Decatur average is shown.
What can change the price in Decatur?
Gas piping falls under HVAC fees ($60, with a $60 HVAC minimum). Hooking up an electric water heater is $7.20 under electrical fees, which have a $90 minimum. Any work in a Local Historic District also needs a permit.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Decatur?
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 →
Ace Hardware Home Services Atlanta (North Georgia)
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves. Based in Marietta.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a tankless job, a quick replacement of a leaking heater, and a technician who explained gas and electric options.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Casteel Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback The reviewer reported that a county inspector said the new water heater installation was done well.
Worth knowing The same reviewer was concerned by the inspector's implication about earlier installs; Casteel replied that a manager would review the installation history with the customer.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Estes Services
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves. Based in Atlanta.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupons: '$250 OFF Tankless Water Heater Installation. Same-Day Installation' and 'Free Water Heater Estimates'
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A company-hosted testimonial mentions satisfaction with Estes replacing a water heater as part of years of service.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
High Priority Plumbing and Services, Inc.
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupon: '$250 OFF tankless water heater installation' (not valid with other offers); also '10% off up to $100' and '$150 off' general coupons.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a same-day replacement with a leak pan, shutoff and monitor added, and a prompt, well-stocked warranty repair visit.
Worth knowing One Yelp reviewer said the diagnosis report led their home warranty to deny a replacement; the company said the warranty required the temperature to be recorded.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a clean, well-explained water heater replacement and satisfactory tankless installations.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant said a spigot was disconnected during a water heater job and the company declined to fix it for free (unanswered).
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A reviewer praised informative service while without a functioning water heater.
Worth knowing A reviewer disputed paying $207 for a tankless visit, saying the technician then said the unit could not be repaired because parts were unavailable, despite a 'free quote' claim on the website.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
R.S. Andrews
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves. Based in Peachtree Corners.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$100 Off Water Heater Installation' (cannot be combined; valid normal business hours M-F; expires Oct 31, 2026).
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a tankless installation that stayed on the promised timeline and technicians who reviewed the contract and water heater care.
Worth knowing BBB complainants disputed a repair that preceded a full replacement (RS Andrews refunded $453 but not a separate $600 charge; answered), a flush visit the customer said left a valve open (answered; company said it reached an agreement), and a $7,135 two-heater price (resolved with a $951 refund).
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Reliable Heating & Air, Plumbing & Electrical
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves. Based in Kennesaw.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Water heater replacement 'Starting at $2,349 or as low as $29.99/month'; Atlanta installation cost ranges shown as Low $2,199 / Average $2,500 / High $3,999+ Specials page: Rheem Standard Electric Water Heater $2,399.00 installed; tankless 'Starting At... $4,999.00 Installed' or $49.99/mo; 40-gallon for $29.99/mo installed via Comfort as a Service $89.95 diagnostic fee waived with approved repair.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water heater praise found in the BBB entries checked.
Worth knowing Complainants reported install delays, a 37-gallon heater swapped for a 50-gallon, disputed anode/maintenance coverage, and lease terms they said were not explained; Reliable asked for documentation in one case, and a lease complaint and a payoff complaint were later resolved or credited.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Superior Plumbing
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves. Based in Kennesaw.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$25 OFF — Save $25 on Water Heaters'.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water heater praise found in the sources checked.
Worth knowing A reviewer disputed $89.50 dispatch and $478.68 labor charges for a valve replacement on a 2018 Superior-installed heater; Superior replied that its own parts-and-labor warranty is one year and the manufacturer's 10-year warranty is parts only.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Allatoona Plumbing
Lists Decatur among the areas it serves. Based in Acworth.
- 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 Decatur: Allgood Home Services (ARS/Rescue Rooter), RooterPLUS!.
Order: companies based in Decatur 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. Georgia plumbing license lookup (GOALS licensee search) ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING DECATUR
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN DECATUR
What Decatur homes are like.
1975Median year built
54%Built before 1980
64%Owner-occupied
51%Heat with utility gas
56%Single-family homes
About 54% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
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 Decatur.
Historic districts need a permit
Decatur requires a permit for any work in a Local Historic District. If a new water heater changes the venting on the outside of the house there, it may need extra review.
Replacement permits come fast
The city says most electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits to replace, repair or maintain existing home systems are issued within one to three days after you apply.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Decatur homes.
Water
DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management
Decatur New Residents Guide 2025 (PDF) ↗ · DeKalb County 2026 Water Quality Report (2025 data, PDF) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Decatur homes.
For Georgia Power customers in Decatur. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Home Energy Improvement Program – Heat Pump Water Heater ↗ActiveUp to $800 back on a heat pump water heater; up to $500 for a combination heat pump water/space heating system and up to $250 for a solar water heater.
- Georgia Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) ↗ClosedGeorgia's IRA-funded HEAR point-of-sale rebates for heat pump water heaters and other electric appliances are not accepting new applications; project submissions are paused until further notice.
- Georgia Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) ↗ActiveWhole-home efficiency rebates sized by household income (AMI) and modeled energy savings; the site says households can get up to $16,000 combined across Georgia's home energy rebate programs.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 29, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Georgia rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Decatur.
Permits and who issues them
Decatur requires separate permits for plumbing, gas, mechanical and electrical work no matter how much the job costs. That includes replacing a water heater. Apply online on Community Core. The city says most electrical, plumbing and HVAC replacement permits are issued in one to three days.
City of Decatur Design, Environment and Construction Division ↗ · Decatur New Residents Guide 2025 (permits section, PDF) ↗ · Decatur Development Fee Schedule page ↗ · Decatur Consolidated Schedule of Fees FY 25-26 (scanned PDF) ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Georgia plumbing license lookup (GOALS licensee search) ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Georgia licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Decatur.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottdale | 2 mi | Required (county) | $100 | Georgia Power, Snapping Shoals EMC or Walton EMC |
| North Decatur | 3 mi | Required (county) | $100 | Georgia Power |
| Belvedere Park | 3 mi | Required (county) | $120 | Georgia Power, Snapping Shoals EMC or Walton EMC |
| Candler-McAfee | 3 mi | Required (county) | $100, | Georgia Power, Snapping Shoals EMC or Walton EMC |
| Clarkston | 4 mi | Required | — | Georgia Power |
| Brookhaven | 7 mi | Required | $75 | Georgia Power |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Decatur water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Decatur?
Yes. Decatur requires separate permits for plumbing, gas, mechanical and electrical work, whatever the job costs.
How much is the permit?
Under the FY 25-26 fees, the plumbing minimum is $60 (water heaters are $10 each), plus a $25 e-permitting fee.
How long does it take to get the permit?
Most plumbing, electrical and HVAC permits for replacements come through one to three days after you apply.
More guides: Georgia water heater replacement · All local guides