Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN WAUKEGAN
Waukegan 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 ↓WAUKEGAN AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Waukegan.
Yes, Waukegan requires a plumbing permit to replace a water heater. An Illinois-licensed plumber registered with the city applies online, and the minimum fee is $125 for jobs under $3,000. ComEd supplies power and North Shore Gas supplies gas. City water is treated Lake Michigan water, about 140 mg/L hard.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Waukegan Building Department
- Permit fee
- Based on the job's value: $125 minimum for plumbing work under $3,000, or $150 plus 3% of the value over $3,001. Plan review is $75 flat, up to 1.5% of the value. A failed or no-show inspection costs $75. (The page doesn't show the schedule's date.)
- Who gets the permit
- The Illinois-licensed plumber who holds the license must get the permit. An employee can pull it only if a notarized letter from the license holder is on file. The city page doesn't mention a permit option for homeowners.
- Electric utility
- ComEd
- Gas utility
- North Shore Gas
- Water
- City of Waukegan Water Utility (Lake Michigan water) · Total hardness 140 mg/L as CaCO3 (about 8.2 gpg), calcium 34 mg/L; 2026 CCR (2025 data)
- Rebate worth checking
- Illinois IRA Home Energy Rebates (HEAR and HOMES) (Not launched)
- Typical home
- Built 1967 (median) · 50% 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 Waukegan averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Waukegan
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeBased on the job's value: $125 minimum for plumbing work under $3,000, or $150 plus 3% of the value over $3,001. Plan review is $75 flat, up to 1.5% of the value. A failed or no-show inspection costs $75. (The page doesn't show the schedule's date.). City of Waukegan Building Department fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised priceNone of the local company websites we checked list a full installed price.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Waukegan average is shown.
What can change the price in Waukegan?
Any change to plumbing needs a permit. The application asks for a signed contract describing the work and a map of the water line. The page doesn't cover gas or electrical work for moving a heater or switching to tankless.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Waukegan?
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 Waukegan 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.
Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Sewer & Electric
Lists Waukegan among the areas it serves. Based in 5701 W. 73 St., Chicago, IL 60638.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised fast, same-day water heater replacements and friendly, knowledgeable installers.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Lifeline Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Lists Waukegan among the areas it serves. Based in 296 Williams Pl, East Dundee, IL 60118.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A customer praised friendly technicians who explained a water heater replacement in plain terms, finished quickly and charged a reasonable price.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
Order: companies based in Waukegan 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 WAUKEGAN
What Waukegan homes are like.
1967Median year built
68%Built before 1980
50%Owner-occupied
73%Heat with utility gas
59%Single-family homes
About 68% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
73% 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 Waukegan.
Lake Michigan water, medium-hard
Waukegan pulls Lake Michigan water from an intake out in the lake and treats it at the city plant. Its latest water quality report shows total hardness of 140 mg/L (about 8 grains per gallon).
Skip the permit, pay double
If plumbing work starts before the permit is officially posted, Waukegan doubles the fee. A failed or no-show inspection costs $75.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Waukegan homes.
Energy
- Electric: ComEd
- Gas: North Shore Gas (the city names North Shore Gas, and Waukegan is on North Shore Gas's list of towns it serves. Waukegan also shows up on Nicor Gas's list, so check your bill)
City of Waukegan: Residential Energy Efficiency & Assistance Programs ↗ · North Shore Gas tariff: municipalities served (effective 9-30-2019) ↗ · Nicor Gas tariff: Municipalities to which schedule is applicable (sheets effective through Dec 2025) ↗
Water
City of Waukegan Water Utility (Lake Michigan water): Total hardness 140 mg/L as CaCO3 (about 8.2 gpg), calcium 34 mg/L; 2026 CCR (2025 data)
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Waukegan homes.
For ComEd and North Shore Gas customers in Waukegan. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- 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 Waukegan.
Permits and who issues them
Waukegan requires a plumbing permit to replace a hot water heater. Apply online through the city's permit portal before work starts, and schedule the required inspections. If work starts before the permit is posted, the fee doubles.
Plumbers register with the City of Waukegan on its contractor portal and send copies of their Illinois plumbing licenses (055 and 058).
City of Waukegan Building Department ↗ · City of Waukegan: Plumbing permits ↗
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 Waukegan.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gurnee | 3 mi | Required | $40 | ComEd |
| North Chicago | 4 mi | Check with city | — | ComEd |
| Beach Park | 5 mi | Check with city | — | ComEd |
| Gages Lake | 6 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | $35 | ComEd |
| Zion | 6 mi | Required | — | ComEd |
| Libertyville | 8 mi | Check with city | $65 | ComEd |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Waukegan water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Waukegan?
Yes. The city lists replacing a hot water heater as work that needs a plumbing permit. Apply online before work starts.
How much is the permit?
It's based on the contract price, with a $125 minimum for work under $3,000. Starting without a permit doubles the fee.
How hard is Waukegan's water?
About 140 mg/L total hardness (roughly 8 grains per gallon), according to the city's 2026 water quality report.
More guides: Illinois water heater replacement · All local guides