Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN SOUTH ST. PAUL
South St. Paul Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓SOUTH ST. PAUL AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in South St. Paul.
South St. Paul's water heater permit is about $56 in all: a $25 plumbing base fee, $30 for the heater, and the $1 surcharge. You can apply online or on paper. Xcel Energy supplies power and gas. City well water is hard, about 18 grains per gallon.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of South St. Paul Building Permits & Inspections
- Who gets the permit
- The city says homeowners and contractors may use paper forms if they don't want to use the e-permit system. Minnesota law only lets unlicensed people do plumbing on a home they own and live in.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy
- Water
- City of South St. Paul (wells; Well No. 3 treatment plant funded through a state Drinking Water Revolving Fund loan) · Typically 18 grains per gallon (307 ppm) per the city's water FAQ; no report year given.
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1958 (median) · 70% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 3 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 South 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 South St. Paul
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for South 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 South St. Paul average is shown.
What can change the price in South St. Paul?
Gas piping needs a home mechanical/HVAC permit. The ePermits portal has a 'Water Heater - Residential' permit charged per unit.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in South 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 →
Bonfe Plumbing, Heating & Air
Lists South 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 South 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.
Ryan Plumbing & Heating
Lists South 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 South 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 SOUTH ST. PAUL
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN SOUTH ST. PAUL
What South St. Paul homes are like.
1958Median year built
77%Built before 1980
70%Owner-occupied
78%Heat with utility gas
72%Single-family homes
About 77% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
78% 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.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies South St. Paul homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (from the city's economic development page (for businesses))
- Gas: Xcel Energy
- Gas: CenterPoint Energy (The city names both CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy for gas. Check which one serves your address.)
City of South St. Paul - New Residents (utilities) ↗ · City of South St. Paul - Xcel Energy ↗
Water
City of South St. Paul (wells; Well No. 3 treatment plant funded through a state Drinking Water Revolving Fund loan): Typically 18 grains per gallon (307 ppm) per the city's water FAQ; no report year given.
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for South St. Paul homes.
For Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy customers in South St. Paul. 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.
- 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 South St. Paul.
Permits and who issues them
South St. Paul lists water heaters under home plumbing permits. Most home permits go through the city's LOGIS e-permit portal (register by calling 651-554-3220). Homeowners and contractors can also use paper forms.
The fee page lists a $5 license check fee. We found no separate city plumbing license.
City of South St. Paul Building Permits & Inspections ↗ · South St. Paul Permits ↗ · South St. Paul ePermits Water Heater - Residential ↗
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 South St. Paul.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West St. Paul | 2 mi | Required | $100 | Xcel Energy |
| Inver Grove Heights | 4 mi | Required | $80 | Xcel Energy, Dakota Electric Association |
| Mendota Heights | 5 mi | Check with city | By job value (from $75) | Xcel Energy |
| St. Paul | 5 mi | Required | $85 | Xcel Energy |
| Woodbury | 6 mi | Required | $75 | Xcel Energy |
| Eagan | 8 mi | Required | $75, | Dakota Electric Association, Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
South St. Paul water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in South St. Paul?
About $56: a $25 base charge, $30 for the water heater and a $1 state surcharge (from a fee page marked 2025).
How hard is South St. Paul's water?
Usually 18 grains per gallon (307 ppm).
Can I get a local loan for energy upgrades?
The city lists CEE's Energy Loan: up to $15,000, paid back over up to 20 years, for 1–4 unit homes where the owner lives.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides