Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN STILLWATER
Stillwater Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓STILLWATER AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Stillwater.
Stillwater requires a home plumbing permit for a water heater. Under fees in effect since March 2024, it is $10 per opening with a $55 minimum, plus a $1 surcharge. Homes built before 1978 pay $5 more for lead certification, and contractors working on them need an EPA certificate.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Stillwater Building Inspections
- Who gets the permit
- For homes built before 1978, the fee sheet says you need an EPA certificate along with the State Plumbing License and Bond. We didn't find rules for homeowners.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- Stillwater municipal water (Board of Water Commissioners); eight wells 83 to 305 feet deep per the 2023 report
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1980 (median) · 77% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 11 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 Stillwater averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Stillwater
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised price7 of the companies listed for Stillwater 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, Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains, Boldt's Plumbing & Heating Inc.. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Stillwater average is shown.
What can change the price in Stillwater?
A water softener alone is $25 + $1 surcharge (+ $5 lead fee for homes built before 1978). Furnace and HVAC work needs a separate mechanical permit.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Stillwater?
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 →
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Aquarius Home Services
Lists Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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.
Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains
Lists Stillwater among the areas it serves. Based in 5720 International Parkway, New Hope, MN 55428 (Twin Cities location; also a Rochester, MN location).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons: water heater tune & flush only $29; $500 off tankless water heater; free plumbing service call with repair ($89 value) —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised same-day water heater replacements, quick responses to leaks, a careful warranty diagnosis, and a technician who avoided an unnecessary replacement.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers alleged very high water heater quotes (cheapest $6,300 in one case), a salesperson rather than a plumber sent to an urgent leak, and pressure to replace water heaters during unrelated visits; the company replied to several reviews saying it would review the feedback with its team.
6 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Boldt's Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Lists Stillwater among the areas it serves. Based in Baldwin & Hudson, WI (two offices; Hudson office at 516 2nd St, Unit #203, Hudson, WI 54016 per Hudson Area Chamber listing).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: $100 off water heater replacement (cannot be combined); financing 'as low as $49/month' —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Twin Cities North
Lists Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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.
Also listing Stillwater: Water Heaters Now.
Order: companies based in Stillwater 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 STILLWATER
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN STILLWATER
What Stillwater homes are like.
1980Median year built
50%Built before 1980
77%Owner-occupied
85%Heat with utility gas
81%Single-family homes
About 50% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
85% 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 Stillwater homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (The only electric utility shown in Stillwater on the PUC service-area map. The city's Residents Guide lists Xcel Energy for starting service.)
- Gas: Xcel Energy (Stillwater appears in Xcel Energy's list of Minnesota gas service areas, but not in CenterPoint's index of communities it serves.)
City of Stillwater Residents Guide (Wayback copy, Sept 2026) ↗ · 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) ↗
Water
Stillwater municipal water (Board of Water Commissioners); eight wells 83 to 305 feet deep per the 2023 report
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Stillwater homes.
For Xcel Energy customers in Stillwater. 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 Stillwater.
Permits and who issues them
Stillwater issues home plumbing permits for water heaters. Its January 2026 permit report lists 11 'Residential - Other Than New Const. Water Heater' permits, all pulled by plumbing contractors. Home plumbing is charged per opening with a minimum, and homes built before 1978 add a $5 lead certification fee. These details come from archived copies of the city's documents.
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 Stillwater.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Elmo | 6 mi | Check with city | $60 | Xcel Energy |
| Oakdale | 8 mi | Required | $89 | Xcel Energy, City of North St. Paul electric utility |
| White Bear Lake | 9 mi | Required | $75 | Xcel Energy |
| North St. Paul | 9 mi | Required | — | North St. Paul Electric Utility (city-owned) |
| Hugo | 10 mi | Required | $71 | Xcel Energy, Connexus Energy |
| Maplewood | 10 mi | Required | $45 | Xcel Energy, North St. Paul Electric Utility |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Stillwater water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in Stillwater?
The home plumbing minimum is $55 plus a $1 state surcharge ($56). Homes built before 1978 pay $61, because of the $5 lead certification fee (fees in effect 3/1/24).
Does Stillwater really issue permits for water heaters?
Yes. The city's January 2026 permit report shows 11 home water heater permits, all pulled by plumbing contractors.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides