Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge Water Heater
Replacement
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Replacing a water heater in Cambridge.
Yes, Cambridge requires a plumbing permit for a water heater or water softener at home. On the 2026 fee schedule it's $64 plus the state surcharge. If you own and live in the home and do the work yourself, you can apply with a property owner waiver. Power comes from Connexus Energy or East Central Energy, and CenterPoint Energy supplies gas.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Cambridge Building Department
- Permit fee
- $64 for a home water heater and/or water softener plumbing permit, plus the state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule, Ordinances 813 and 815, in effect since January 1, 2026).
- Who gets the permit
- The plumbing application treats whoever applies as the contractor, and that person must have a Minnesota plumbing license. The exception: an owner who lives in the single-family home, does the work in person, and isn't renting or selling it can get the permit by signing a Property Owner Waiver.
- Electric utility
- Connexus Energy and East Central Energy
- Gas utility
- CenterPoint Energy
- Water
- City of Cambridge Water and Wastewater
- Rebate worth checking
- Connexus Energy heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1994 (median) · 66% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 2 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 Cambridge averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Cambridge
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$64 for a home water heater and/or water softener plumbing permit, plus the state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule, Ordinances 813 and 815, in effect since January 1, 2026).. City of Cambridge Building Department fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price1 of the companies listed for Cambridge post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Dean's Home Services. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Cambridge average is shown.
What can change the price in Cambridge?
Gas pipe at a home is $64, listed under either plumbing or mechanical. The plumbing inspections include an air test on the gas line and a final gas pipe inspection.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Cambridge?
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 Cambridge 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.
Dean's Home Services
Lists Cambridge 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.
Order: companies based in Cambridge 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) ↗.
See before-and-after replacement examples from independent companies →
HOMES IN CAMBRIDGE
What Cambridge homes are like.
1994Median year built
35%Built before 1980
66%Owner-occupied
81%Heat with utility gas
70%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1994. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
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 Cambridge.
Power from two co-ops
Cambridge lists Connexus Energy and East Central Energy as its power companies, not Xcel. So any electric water heater programs come from a co-op.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Cambridge homes.
Energy
- Electric: Connexus Energy (named by the city; we haven't checked its service boundary)
- Electric: East Central Energy (on the city's list; service area not confirmed)
- Gas: CenterPoint Energy
Water
City of Cambridge Water and Wastewater
Cambridge Water and Wastewater ↗ · Cambridge 2025 CCR Water Report ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Cambridge homes.
For Connexus Energy, East Central Energy and CenterPoint Energy customers in Cambridge. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Connexus Energy heat pump water heater rebate ↗ActiveFor Connexus members: $100 for each ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater rated EF 2.0 or higher, one per member account.
- 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 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Minnesota rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Cambridge.
Permits and who issues them
Cambridge's 2026 fee schedule has a home plumbing permit for a water heater, a water softener or both, and its plumbing permit application lists water heaters. You can apply for some permits online in BS&A (ask building@ci.cambridge.mn.us for a PIN). You can also send a PDF application by email, fax or mail, or bring it in. The office number is 763-689-3211.
Plumbing contractors need a State of Minnesota plumbing license. We found no separate city license.
City of Cambridge Building Department ↗ · Cambridge Building ↗ · Cambridge Plumbing Permit Application ↗ · Cambridge 2026 Fee Schedule (amended) ↗
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 Cambridge.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch | 14 mi | Required | $89 | East Central Energy, Xcel Energy |
| East Bethel | 14 mi | Required | $100 | Connexus Energy |
| Ham Lake | 21 mi | Required | $10 | Connexus Energy, Xcel Energy |
| Andover | 22 mi | Required | $71 | Connexus Energy, Xcel Energy |
| Elk River | 23 mi | Required | $75 | Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU), Connexus Energy |
| Ramsey | 23 mi | Check with city | $101 | Anoka Municipal Utility (AMU) |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Cambridge water heater questions.
What does a water heater permit cost in Cambridge?
$64 plus the state surcharge for a home water heater, water softener or both, on the 2026 fee schedule.
Can I get the permit myself?
Yes, if you own and live in the single-family home, do the work yourself, and aren't renting or selling it. You sign a Property Owner Waiver.
Who supplies electricity in Cambridge?
The city lists Connexus Energy and East Central Energy.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides