Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN BROOKLYN CENTER
Brooklyn Center Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓BROOKLYN CENTER AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Brooklyn Center.
Yes, Brooklyn Center requires a plumbing permit to replace a water heater. It's a flat $85 for a home, plus the state surcharge, and a plumber must have a master license and bond on file with the city. Xcel Energy supplies power and CenterPoint Energy supplies gas. City well water is about 23 grains hard, and the city's FAQ explains manganese specks and rotten-egg smells in water heaters.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Brooklyn Center Community Development, Building Division
- Permit fee
- $85 for a home water heater (up to 4 units), plus the state surcharge ($1 flat or value x 0.0005). The lowest plumbing fee is $75 (plumbing permit application, rev. 2/2025).
- Who gets the permit
- A contractor or the owner can file the plumbing application. The city only issues a permit to the person doing the work, and a contractor's master plumber license and bond must be on file with the city.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- CenterPoint Energy
- Water
- City of Brooklyn Center Water Utility (nine wells, three towers, water treatment plant) · About 23 grains per gallon (city FAQ, undated)
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1962 (median) · 64% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 10 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 Brooklyn Center averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Brooklyn Center
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$85 for a home water heater (up to 4 units), plus the state surcharge ($1 flat or value x 0.0005). The lowest plumbing fee is $75 (plumbing permit application, rev. 2/2025).. City of Brooklyn Center Community Development, Building Division fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price5 of the companies listed for Brooklyn Center post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Aquarius Home Services, Bonfe Plumbing, Heating & Air, Dean's Home Services, McQuillan Home Services (McQuillan Bros.), Plumb Right. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Brooklyn Center average is shown.
What can change the price in Brooklyn Center?
New gas pipe fittings are charged by the opening on the mechanical permit ($5.75 each for 1-3 openings on 2-inch pipe or smaller). Plumbing plan review costs 65% of the base fee, but only when there's no building permit with it. Electrical inspections go through the city's contract inspector (Sloth Inspections).
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Brooklyn Center?
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 →
Air Mechanical
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in 16411 Aberdeen St NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised knowledgeable plumbers who explained water heater condition and options, and a repair that avoided a full replacement.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked; one Yelp reviewer said technicians consistently try to upsell extras, though without pressure.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Aquarius Home Services
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Current offers (expire September 30, 2026): $400 off tank model water heaters (includes basic installation); $1000 off tankless water heaters (includes basic installation); $149 water heater flush & inspection (excludes tankless); $59 water heater & sump pump safety check —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised fast replacements (including same-day installs), technicians who offered repair-or-replace options without pressure, and clear explanations.
Worth knowing One BBB reviewer said a plumber found water-pressure problems that should have been caught when their water heater was replaced, which led to an unexpected higher expense; no BBB complaints about water heater work were visible.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Greater Minneapolis
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in Ramsey.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised same-day water heater replacement, quick diagnosis of water heater problems, and technicians who explained maintenance.
Worth knowing One BBB reviewer said the lowest of three water heater replacement estimates they got from the company was $2,800 more than another reputable plumber's quote; no company response was shown.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Bonfe Plumbing, Heating & Air
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in Saint Paul.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Water heater repair: '$99 diagnostic fee (waived if repair is completed)' — offers page also lists '$100 OFF Plumbing Services' —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One reviewer praised a quick replacement after their water heater failed, knowledgeable staff and 0% financing.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers alleged high water heater replacement prices (one said $4,391 for a 50-gallon unit after discounts), pressure to add a paid membership to get a discount, a delayed invoice, and one said a technician did not address gas leaks found near a water heater; no company responses were shown on these reviews.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Dean's Home Services
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in Maple Grove.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
Published price: Specials (expire 09/30/26): 'Purchase a new water heater and we'll buy back your old one for up to $650'; '$30 Water Heater Flush' (with free water quality test); 'Up to $1,000 Off Water Softener & Water Heater'; '30% Off Water Softener with Water Heater Install'; '$100 OFF PLUMBING Repair or Install' —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised same-day water heater appointments and installations, clear explanations, help with financing and a strong warranty.
Worth knowing In BBB complaints, one landlord said Dean's replaced a 20-year-old water heater (about $1,800) when the real problem was a utility-locked gas meter, and another said a new water heater installed without a relay kept their boiler running; Dean's responded to both, citing the heater's age and saying it fixed the boiler controls and offered a hotel stay (both listed as Answered).
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
McQuillan Home Services (McQuillan Bros.)
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in St. Paul, MN (street address not shown on pages checked).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Water heater repair diagnostic $99 (repair page); water heater pages show 'Financing as low as $138/mo' and a '$700 off' banner whose offer details were not shown in page text — ;
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water-heater-specific praise was found in the sources checked; one complainant said earlier experiences with McQuillan had been good.
Worth knowing BBB complainants and reviewers alleged unexplained membership and warranty charges, no choice of water heater model, very high quotes and slow warranty-part follow-up; McQuillan defended its pricing in one review response, and both complaints are listed as Resolved.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
TJK Plumbing Inc
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in Maple Grove.
- Tank
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised quick, often same-day water heater replacements, clean work, and technicians who laid out repair and replacement options without being pushy.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Plumb Right
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in Brooklyn Park.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
Published price: Coupons page: $100 off water heater installation/replacement; $100 off tankless water heater installation/replacement; $50 off water heater repair; $50 off tankless repair (not valid for trip charge or diagnostic fee; page headed 2025, no expiration shown) —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Ryan Plumbing & Heating
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in Minneapolis & Saint Paul, MN (site gives phone numbers for both areas; no street address shown).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Water Heaters Now
Lists Brooklyn Center among the areas it serves. Based in Burnsville.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in Brooklyn Center 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. Minnesota plumbing license lookup (DLI iMS) ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING BROOKLYN CENTER
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN BROOKLYN CENTER
What Brooklyn Center homes are like.
1962Median year built
82%Built before 1980
64%Owner-occupied
71%Heat with utility gas
67%Single-family homes
About 82% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
71% 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 Brooklyn Center.
Black specks of manganese in hot water
The city says black manganese specks show up mostly in hot water, because heating makes the manganese settle out. It suggests setting the water heater to 120-125 F, flushing the tank, then flushing each faucet.
A new water heater that smells like rotten eggs
The city's FAQ says the smell is hydrogen sulfide, made in the tank from sulfate in the untreated water and the anode rod. It suggests swapping a magnesium anode for a less reactive aluminum one and flushing the system.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Brooklyn Center homes.
Water
City of Brooklyn Center Water Utility (nine wells, three towers, water treatment plant): About 23 grains per gallon (city FAQ, undated)
Brooklyn Center FAQs (water quality) ↗ · Brooklyn Center Water Utility ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Brooklyn Center homes.
For Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy customers in Brooklyn Center. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) ↗Active$400 for an eligible electric heat pump water heater, or $500 for a smart heat pump water heater.
- Natural Gas Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota gas) ↗Active$75 for a standard gas tank water heater at 0.64 UEF (medium draw) or 0.68 UEF (high draw); $250 for a gas tankless water heater at 0.87 UEF or higher.
- Residential Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota) ↗ActiveReplacement rebates: $250 for a gas tank of 55 gallons or less (0.64 UEF medium draw or 0.68 UEF high draw), $500 for a gas tankless at 0.87 UEF or higher, $1,000 for a combination tankless plus air handler unit, and $200 for an indirect storage tank.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 29, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Minnesota rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Brooklyn Center.
Permits and who issues them
Brooklyn Center handles building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits. Water heaters are on the plumbing permit application. Apply online in the city's iMS system, or turn in the application in person, by mail or by email (no fax). The city emails the permit and inspection card, and both must be posted at the job site.
The city needs a copy of the state license and bond before it issues plumbing, electrical or home building permits. Mechanical contractors, including those doing gas pipe that goes with HVAC work, need a Brooklyn Center mechanical contractor license. It costs $60 a year and is approved by the City Council.
City of Brooklyn Center Community Development, Building Division ↗ · Brooklyn Center Building & Construction Regulations / Permits ↗ · Brooklyn Center Permit Applications ↗ · Brooklyn Center Plumbing Permit Application (rev. 2.2025) ↗ · Brooklyn Center Mechanical Permit Application ↗ · Brooklyn Center Contractor License Requirements ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Minnesota plumbing license lookup (DLI iMS) ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Minnesota licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Brooklyn Center.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal | 3 mi | Required | $71 | Xcel Energy |
| Fridley | 3 mi | Check with city | — | Xcel Energy |
| Robbinsdale | 3 mi | Required | $125 | Xcel Energy |
| Brooklyn Park | 3 mi | Required | — | Xcel Energy |
| Columbia Heights | 4 mi | Required | $65 | Xcel Energy |
| New Hope | 4 mi | Required | $50 | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Brooklyn Center water heater questions.
What does a water heater permit cost in Brooklyn Center?
$85 for a home water heater (up to 4 units) plus the state surcharge, according to the city's plumbing permit application (rev. 2/2025).
Why does my new water heater smell like rotten eggs?
The city says it's hydrogen sulfide, made when sulfate in the water, bacteria and the tank's anode rod react. Swapping a magnesium anode for aluminum and flushing usually helps. Tanks that sit unused make it worse.
How hard is the water in Brooklyn Center?
The city says about 23 grains per gallon.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides