Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN NORTH ST. PAUL
North St. Paul Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓NORTH ST. PAUL AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in North St. Paul.
North St. Paul requires a plumbing permit for a water heater. You get it online through Rum River Consultants, the company the city hires as its building official. The city runs its own electric utility, and water comes from five deep city wells.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of North St. Paul, with building inspection services contracted to Rum River Consultants
- Electric utility
- North St. Paul Electric Utility (city-owned)
- Water
- City of North St. Paul (five wells in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan and Jordan aquifers)
- Rebate worth checking
- North St. Paul Electric Utility energy rebates (Unclear)
- Typical home
- Built 1973 (median) · 68% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 5 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for North St. Paul post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Bonfe Plumbing, Heating & Air, MSP Plumbing Heating Air. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no North St. Paul average is shown.
What can change the price in North St. Paul?
Furnace, air conditioning and ventilation work needs a separate mechanical permit. Electrical permit fees are in the city fee schedule (for example $12 per circuit up to 100 amps, $60 minimum, plus a $1 surcharge and $15 processing fee). Starting electrical work without a permit doubles the fee.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in North St. Paul?
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 →
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Greater Minneapolis
Lists North St. Paul 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 North St. Paul 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.
MSP Plumbing Heating Air
Lists North St. Paul 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.
Justen Plumbing Inc
Lists North St. Paul among the areas it serves. Based in Stillwater, MN.
- Tank
- Repair
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Ryan Plumbing & Heating
Lists North St. Paul 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 North St. Paul 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 NORTH ST. PAUL
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN NORTH ST. PAUL
What North St. Paul homes are like.
1973Median year built
67%Built before 1980
68%Owner-occupied
77%Heat with utility gas
75%Single-family homes
About 67% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
77% 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 St. Paul.
City-owned electric utility
North St. Paul runs its own electric utility (about 5,685 home customers) and buys wholesale power through the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency. That means Xcel Energy electric rebates don't apply here. The 2026 home rate is $0.1143/kWh October-May and $0.1251/kWh June-September.
Water from deep wells
The city's water comes from five wells, 468 to 531 feet deep, in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan and Jordan aquifers.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies North St. Paul homes.
Energy
- Electric: North St. Paul Electric Utility (city-owned) (serves the city, part of Oakdale and a few Maplewood customers; buys wholesale power through MMPA)
Water
City of North St. Paul (five wells in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan and Jordan aquifers)
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for North St. Paul homes.
For North St. Paul Electric Utility (city-owned) customers in North St. Paul. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- North St. Paul Electric Utility energy rebates ↗UnclearThe city utility gives its home electric customers rebates as bill credits (ENERGY STAR appliances, thermostats, heat pumps, central AC, LED lighting, EV chargers).
- 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 St. Paul.
Permits and who issues them
North St. Paul says any kind of plumbing work needs a plumbing permit, and it gives a water heater as the example. Apply online on Rum River Consultants' Baseline portal (rrc.baselinegov.com). For permits issued after October 1, 2024, you also book inspections there. Questions: Rum River at 763-331-7722.
The 2026 fee schedule lists city licenses for trenching contractors ($80/year, $0 for licensed plumbers). There's no general plumbing contractor license.
City of North St. Paul, with building inspection services contracted to Rum River Consultants ↗ · North St. Paul: Building, Plumbing & Mechanical Permits ↗ · Rum River Consultants: North Saint Paul ↗ · North St. Paul 2026 Fee Schedule (revised April 21, 2026) ↗
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 St. Paul.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maplewood | 1 mi | Required | $45 | Xcel Energy, North St. Paul Electric Utility |
| Oakdale | 3 mi | Required | $89 | Xcel Energy, City of North St. Paul electric utility |
| White Bear Lake | 4 mi | Required | $75 | Xcel Energy |
| Little Canada | 4 mi | Check with city | $45 | Xcel Energy |
| Vadnais Heights | 4 mi | Required | $65 | Connexus Energy, Xcel Energy |
| Lake Elmo | 5 mi | Check with city | $60 | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
North St. Paul water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in North St. Paul?
Yes. The city says any kind of plumbing work, such as a water heater, needs a plumbing permit. Apply online on Rum River Consultants' Baseline portal.
Who inspects a water heater install in North St. Paul?
Rum River Consultants, the city's chosen building official. Call 763-331-7722 or book through Baseline.
Who supplies electricity in North St. Paul?
The city's own electric utility. It buys power through the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides