Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN NORTH BRANCH
North Branch Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓NORTH BRANCH AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in North Branch.
In North Branch you need a permit whether a contractor or the homeowner does the work. Under the 2026 fee schedule, a home plumbing replacement permit and a home mechanical replacement permit are $89 each, plus the state surcharge. East Central Energy or Xcel Energy supplies electricity, and Minnesota Energy Resources or Xcel supplies natural gas.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of North Branch Building and Inspections
- Permit fee
- Plumbing Permit – Replacement Residential: $89 plus state surcharge. Mechanical Permit – Replacement Residential: $89 plus state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule).
- Who gets the permit
- The city says permits are needed whether a licensed contractor or a homeowner does the work, which suggests homeowners can get permits for their own work.
- Electric utility
- East Central Energy and Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- Minnesota Energy Resources and Xcel Energy
- Water
- City of North Branch Public Works (two water treatment plants)
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1995 (median) · 82% 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 North Branch averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in North Branch
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feePlumbing Permit – Replacement Residential: $89 plus state surcharge. Mechanical Permit – Replacement Residential: $89 plus state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule).. City of North Branch Building and Inspections fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price1 of the companies listed for North Branch 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 North Branch average is shown.
What can change the price in North Branch?
Changes to gas lines or venting would need the separate $89 home mechanical replacement permit.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in North Branch?
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 North Branch 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 North Branch 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 North Branch 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 NORTH BRANCH
What North Branch homes are like.
1995Median year built
24%Built before 1980
82%Owner-occupied
86%Heat with utility gas
86%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1995. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
86% 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 North Branch.
A co-op and a non-metro gas company
North Branch lists East Central Energy as well as Xcel for electricity, and Minnesota Energy Resources as well as Xcel for natural gas. Which rebates you get depends on the utilities at your address.
North Branch Electricity Providers ↗ · North Branch Natural Gas Providers ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies North Branch homes.
Energy
- Electric: East Central Energy (listed by the city; we haven't checked the boundary)
- Electric: Xcel Energy (listed by the city; we haven't checked the boundary)
- Gas: Minnesota Energy Resources (listed by the city)
- Gas: Xcel Energy (listed by the city)
North Branch Electricity Providers ↗ · North Branch Natural Gas Providers ↗
Water
City of North Branch Public Works (two water treatment plants)
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for North Branch homes.
For East Central Energy, Xcel Energy and Minnesota Energy Resources customers in North Branch. 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 North Branch.
Permits and who issues them
North Branch says all work that needs a permit must have one, whether a licensed contractor or a homeowner does it. The 2026 fee schedule has flat home replacement permits for both plumbing and mechanical work.
City of North Branch Building and Inspections ↗ · North Branch Building and Inspections ↗ · North Branch 2026 Fee Schedule ↗
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 North Branch.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | 14 mi | Required | $64 | Connexus Energy, East Central Energy |
| East Bethel | 17 mi | Required | $100 | Connexus Energy |
| Forest Lake | 18 mi | Required | $55 | Xcel Energy, Connexus Energy |
| Ham Lake | 21 mi | Required | $10 | Connexus Energy, Xcel Energy |
| Hugo | 24 mi | Required | $71 | Xcel Energy, Connexus Energy |
| Lino Lakes | 26 mi | Required | $11 | Xcel Energy, Connexus Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
North Branch water heater questions.
How much is a home plumbing replacement permit in North Branch?
$89 plus the state surcharge under the 2026 fee schedule. A home mechanical replacement permit is also $89.
Do I need a permit if I do the work myself?
Yes. The city says any work that needs a permit must have one, whether a licensed contractor or a homeowner does it.
Who supplies gas in North Branch?
The city lists Minnesota Energy Resources and Xcel Energy.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides