Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN HUGO
Hugo 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 ↓HUGO AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Hugo.
Hugo's plumbing permit for a water heater runs about $71 under the 2026 schedule: $8 per fixture, a $60 base inspection fee, a $2 technology fee and the $1 state surcharge. Homeowners can apply themselves with a Property Owner Waiver Form. Gas piping takes its own $32 permit.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Hugo Building Department
- Permit fee
- About $71 for one water heater under the 2026 Fee Schedule (amended March 2, 2026): $8 per fixture + $60 base permit fee (covers at least one hour of city inspection) + $2 technology fee + $1 minimum state surcharge.
- Who gets the permit
- Either a contractor (with license number) or the owner can apply. An owner must file a Property Owner Waiver Form.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy and Connexus Energy
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- City of Hugo Public Works
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 2003 (median) · 90% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 9 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 Hugo averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Hugo
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeAbout $71 for one water heater under the 2026 Fee Schedule (amended March 2, 2026): $8 per fixture + $60 base permit fee (covers at least one hour of city inspection) + $2 technology fee + $1 minimum state surcharge.. City of Hugo Building Department fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price5 of the companies listed for Hugo 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.), MSP Plumbing Heating Air. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Hugo average is shown.
What can change the price in Hugo?
Gas piping is a separate $32 permit ($30 + $2 technology fee). Home mechanical work is $37 plus at least one hour of inspection fee (2026 schedule). Electrical permits are separate, and a contractor or the homeowner can get one.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Hugo?
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 Hugo 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 Hugo 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 Hugo 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 Hugo 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 Hugo 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 Hugo 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.
MSP Plumbing Heating Air
Lists Hugo among the areas it serves. Based in 2415 Ventura Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Tank water heater installation: $2,000 starting price; $3,000 average/most common; $4,000+ higher end. Tankless installation: $6,000 starting; $8,000 average; $10,000+ higher end. Trip fee $88. Coupons: $125 off tank install, $300 off tankless install, $49 water heater drain & flush — ; ;
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised fast same-day and weekend replacements, online booking, and technicians who explained options and checked gas supply for a larger heater.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked; one reviewer described the company as a little spendy.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Twin Cities North
Lists Hugo among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Ryan Plumbing & Heating
Lists Hugo 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.
Order: companies based in Hugo 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 HUGO
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN HUGO
What Hugo homes are like.
2003Median year built
18%Built before 1980
90%Owner-occupied
83%Heat with utility gas
90%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 2003. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
83% 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 Hugo.
Water service line list
As of October 18, 2024, Hugo's list of water service lines showed 5,153 that are not lead and 280 made of unknown material. You can look up your own line in the state Lead Inventory Tracking Tool.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Hugo homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (Covers roughly 63% of Hugo's land. This share is our rough estimate from the PUC service-area map; check your address.)
- Electric: Connexus Energy (Covers roughly 37% of Hugo's land, going by our estimate from the PUC service-area map. Check your address to be sure.)
- Gas: Xcel Energy (Hugo is on Xcel Energy's list of Minnesota gas service areas. CenterPoint's list of communities it serves leaves Hugo out.)
Minnesota PUC Electric Utility Service Area Viewer (EUSA map layers, queried 2026-09-30) ↗ · Xcel Energy Minnesota Gas Rate Book, Section 3: Index of Company's Service Area ↗ · CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Rates, Rights & Tariff Book, Section III: Minnesota Communities We Serve (Wayback copy, Jan 2026) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Hugo homes.
For Xcel Energy and Connexus Energy customers in Hugo. 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.
- 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 Hugo.
Permits and who issues them
Hugo's home plumbing permit form lists 'Water Heater' as a fixture. You pay per fixture plus a base inspection fee. Get the permit from the city's online permit list or as a printable form. Sewer and water work takes a separate permit.
City of Hugo Building Department ↗ · Hugo: Building Permits ↗ · Hugo: Plumbing Permit form (PDF) ↗ · Hugo 2026 Fee Schedule (PDF) ↗
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 Hugo.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Lake | 6 mi | Required | $55 | Xcel Energy, Connexus Energy |
| Lino Lakes | 7 mi | Required | $11 | Xcel Energy, Connexus Energy |
| White Bear Lake | 7 mi | Required | $75 | Xcel Energy |
| Vadnais Heights | 9 mi | Required | $65 | Connexus Energy, Xcel Energy |
| Stillwater | 10 mi | Required | — | Xcel Energy |
| Shoreview | 10 mi | Required | $65 | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Hugo water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in Hugo?
About $71 for one water heater: $8 per fixture, a $60 base permit fee, a $2 technology fee and a $1 minimum state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule).
Hugo 2026 Fee Schedule (PDF) ↗ · Hugo: Plumbing Permit form (PDF) ↗
Can I get the permit myself as the homeowner?
Yes. The owner can apply on the plumbing form by filing a Property Owner Waiver Form.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides