Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN RIVER FOREST
River Forest 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 ↓RIVER FOREST AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in River Forest.
You don't need a permit to replace a water heater in River Forest; the building department lists it as permit-free work. A new heater, a moved one, or other plumbing work still needs a permit. ComEd supplies electricity and Nicor Gas supplies gas.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- No, for a qualifying same-type replacement
- Electric utility
- ComEd
- Gas utility
- Nicor Gas
- Water
- Village of River Forest Public Works (water and sewer)
- Rebate worth checking
- Nicor Gas water heater rebates (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1946 (median) · 88% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 3 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 River Forest averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in River Forest
- 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 River Forest average is shown.
What can change the price in River Forest?
Some plumbing jobs, like replacing a tub or shower, do need a permit. The exemption only covers replacing a water heater.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in River Forest?
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 →
Abt Electronics & Appliances – Plumbing Services
Lists River Forest among the areas it serves. Based in 1200 N. Milwaukee, Glenview, IL 60025.
- Tank
- Tankless
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised Abt staff for following up until a multi-system project that included a tankless water heater was finished, and for handling an emergency water heater replacement.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
ARS / Rescue Rooter (Illinois – Chicago area)
Lists River Forest among the areas it serves. Based in 731 District Drive, Itasca, IL 60143 (local branch of national ARS network).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Cook County
Lists River Forest among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in River Forest 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. IDPH plumber license verification ↗.
See before-and-after replacement examples from independent companies →
HOMES IN RIVER FOREST
What River Forest homes are like.
1946Median year built
88%Built before 1980
88%Owner-occupied
81%Heat with utility gas
63%Single-family homes
About 88% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
81% 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 River Forest.
Help with basement flooding
River Forest has assistance programs and a flooding guide to help residents cut basement flooding. That matters if your water heater sits in the basement.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies River Forest homes.
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for River Forest homes.
For ComEd and Nicor Gas customers in River Forest. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Nicor Gas water heater rebates ↗Active$150 for an ENERGY STAR gas tankless water heater (UEF 0.95 or higher, 75 MBTUH or less), or $150 for an ENERGY STAR power-vented or condensing storage water heater (UEF 0.86 or higher).
- Illinois IRA Home Energy Rebates (HEAR and HOMES) ↗Not launchedIllinois EPA says its HEAR application has not yet been processed by U.S.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Illinois rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in River Forest.
Permits and who issues them
River Forest lists 'Water heater (replacement only)' as work that does NOT need a permit. Replacement HVAC is exempt too. New installs, moves and other plumbing work still need permits. Required work done without one is stopped and charged a surcharge.
The village keeps a list of licensed contractors and publishes its contractor licensing rules.
Village of River Forest Building & Zoning ↗ · River Forest Work requiring a permit ↗ · River Forest complete permit list (PDF) ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the IDPH plumber license verification ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Illinois licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near River Forest.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Park | 2 mi | Required | $175 | ComEd |
| Maywood | 2 mi | Check with city | — | ComEd |
| Forest Park | 2 mi | Check with city | — | ComEd |
| Elmwood Park | 2 mi | Required | — | ComEd |
| River Grove | 2 mi | Required | $75 | ComEd |
| Melrose Park | 2 mi | Check with city | — | ComEd |
COMMON QUESTIONS
River Forest water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in River Forest?
No. Replacing a water heater is on the village's list of work that doesn't need a permit, as long as it's only a replacement.
What if I'm moving the water heater or adding a new one?
The exemption is only for replacements. For a new or moved water heater, ask Building & Zoning.
More guides: Illinois water heater replacement · All local guides