Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN OAKDALE
Oakdale 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 ↓OAKDALE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Oakdale.
You need a plumbing permit to replace a water heater in Oakdale. The 2026 minimum for a home is $89 plus the state surcharge. Xcel Energy supplies power to most homes, but North St. Paul's electric utility serves part of the city. Gas comes from Xcel or CenterPoint. City well water is treated to remove PFCs and averages 14.6 grains of hardness.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Oakdale Building Department
- Permit fee
- Home plumbing permit: $89 minimum, with 1.25% of project value, plus the $1 state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule, adopted 12/9/2025). The schedule also adds a $6 fire inspection surcharge to flat-fee home permits.
- Who gets the permit
- Oakdale's pages point to Minnesota DLI licensing rules instead of giving their own. State law requires a licensed plumber unless a homeowner is working on their own homestead.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy and City of North St. Paul electric utility
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy
- Water
- City of Oakdale (wells, with a PFC treatment facility built with 3M in 2006) · Average 14.6 grains per gallon (about 250 mg/L) per the city FAQ; no report year given.
- Rebate worth checking
- Home Energy Squad city rebate (Unclear)
- Typical home
- Built 1985 (median) · 78% 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 Oakdale averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Oakdale
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeHome plumbing permit: $89 minimum, with 1.25% of project value, plus the $1 state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule, adopted 12/9/2025). The schedule also adds a $6 fire inspection surcharge to flat-fee home permits.. City of Oakdale Building Department fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price6 of the companies listed for Oakdale post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Aquarius Home Services, Bonfe Plumbing, Heating & Air, Dean's Home Services, Genz-Ryan, McQuillan Home Services (McQuillan Bros.), MSP Plumbing Heating Air. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Oakdale average is shown.
What can change the price in Oakdale?
Hooking gas appliances to gas piping needs a mechanical permit; a gas line mechanical permit is $57. The city also issues electrical permits, with a $40 electronic inspection fee that covers an outlet for a water heater vent.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Oakdale?
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 →
Aquarius Home Services
Lists Oakdale 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.
Bonfe Plumbing, Heating & Air
Lists Oakdale 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 Oakdale 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.
Genz-Ryan
Lists Oakdale among the areas it serves. Based in Burnsville.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons page (expires 10/31/26): 'Same-Day Water Heater Installation — Guaranteed' or $150/day compensation (eligible replacements); 'Buy a Water Heater, Get a Free Water Softener'; $26 Water Heater Flush & Fill + water quality test; water heater financing 'as low as $3/Day'; $99 off any plumbing repairs —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A testimonial on the company's site praised a technician who replaced a badly corroded water heater and softener and stayed late so the family would not be without water.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers and complainants alleged a water heater install that failed inspection with three missed return visits, the wrong water heater type delivered, high replacement pricing and a 24-hour guarantee that excluded water heaters; Genz-Ryan resolved the wrong-heater complaint, reached a confidential settlement on the pricing and membership complaint, and said the other plan covered only heating and cooling.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
McQuillan Home Services (McQuillan Bros.)
Lists Oakdale 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 Oakdale 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.
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Master Plumbing Services
Lists Oakdale among the areas it serves. Based in Woodbury, MN (address listed only as city on site).
- Tank
- Tankless
- 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 Oakdale 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 Oakdale 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 Oakdale 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 OAKDALE
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN OAKDALE
What Oakdale homes are like.
1985Median year built
38%Built before 1980
78%Owner-occupied
79%Heat with utility gas
80%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1985. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
79% 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 Oakdale.
City water treated for PFCs
In 2006, Oakdale and 3M built a plant to remove perfluorochemicals (PFCs) from the city's well water. The water is still hard, at about 14.6 grains.
How long permits take
Oakdale says permits with no plans to review take about 3 business days, and inspections need 5 business days' notice. If your swap isn't an emergency, plan ahead.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Oakdale homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (most of the city)
- Electric: City of North St. Paul electric utility (the city has an electric franchise with North St. Paul for part of Oakdale)
- Gas: Xcel Energy
- Gas: CenterPoint Energy (the city's Home Energy Squad rebate names both Xcel and CenterPoint accounts)
Oakdale City Council workshop minutes, June 13, 2023 (franchises) ↗ · Oakdale Sustainable Home ↗
Water
City of Oakdale (wells, with a PFC treatment facility built with 3M in 2006): Average 14.6 grains per gallon (about 250 mg/L) per the city FAQ; no report year given.
Oakdale FAQ: What is the hardness of Oakdale's water? ↗ · Oakdale Drinking Water ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Oakdale homes.
For Xcel Energy, City of North St. Paul electric utility and CenterPoint Energy customers in Oakdale. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Home Energy Squad city rebate ↗UnclearThe city pays half the cost of a Home Energy Squad visit for a limited number of residents: a $35 Energy Saver or $50 Energy Planner visit, for Xcel and CenterPoint customers.
- 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 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Minnesota rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Oakdale.
Permits and who issues them
Oakdale lists 'Replacing a water heater' as plumbing work that needs a permit. Apply on the city's online services portal. Permits with no plans to review take about 3 business days right now, and you should ask for inspections 5 business days ahead. In an emergency you can do the repair first and get the permit afterward.
City of Oakdale Building Department ↗ · Oakdale What Requires a Permit? ↗ · Oakdale Building Permits ↗ · Oakdale 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 Oakdale.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North St. Paul | 3 mi | Required | — | North St. Paul Electric Utility (city-owned) |
| Lake Elmo | 3 mi | Check with city | $60 | Xcel Energy |
| Maplewood | 4 mi | Required | $45 | Xcel Energy, North St. Paul Electric Utility |
| White Bear Lake | 6 mi | Required | $75 | Xcel Energy |
| Woodbury | 6 mi | Required | $75 | Xcel Energy |
| Little Canada | 6 mi | Check with city | $45 | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Oakdale water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Oakdale?
Yes. Oakdale lists replacing a water heater as plumbing work that needs a permit. For an emergency replacement, you can get the permit afterward.
How much is the permit?
The home plumbing permit has an $89 minimum (1.25% of project value), plus a $1 state surcharge, under the 2026 fee schedule.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides