Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN WEST ST. PAUL
West St. Paul Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓WEST ST. PAUL AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in West St. Paul.
West St. Paul splits water heater permits. Work on the home's water supply needs a permit from Saint Paul Regional Water Services. The city issues plumbing and mechanical permits, starting at a $100 base fee that covers one fixture. Xcel Energy supplies all power and gas, and SPRWS supplies softened water.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of West St. Paul Building Department (drain/waste/vent and mechanical); Saint Paul Regional Water Services (domestic water supply)
- Permit fee
- City home plumbing or mechanical permit: $100 base fee covering one fixture, plus $10 for each extra fixture up to $300, plus a state surcharge. There is also a $5 contractor license check fee (2026 fee schedule approved 12/8/2025). SPRWS charges its own water permit fees.
- Who gets the permit
- The handout says all plumbing must be done by a state-licensed plumbing contractor, master plumber, or licensed journeyperson and registered apprentices. The city's general permit handout says whoever does the work, homeowner or contractor, gets the permits.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) · SPRWS lime-softens its water; its April 2016 monthly mineral report showed about 85 mg/L (about 5 gpg) total hardness. This is an old figure and the current annual report does not list hardness.
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1970 (median) · 57% 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 West 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 West St. Paul
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeCity home plumbing or mechanical permit: $100 base fee covering one fixture, plus $10 for each extra fixture up to $300, plus a state surcharge. There is also a $5 contractor license check fee (2026 fee schedule approved 12/8/2025). SPRWS charges its own water permit fees.. City of West St. Paul Building Department (drain/waste/vent and mechanical); Saint Paul Regional Water Services (domestic water supply) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for West 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 West St. Paul average is shown.
What can change the price in West St. Paul?
The mechanical application charges $10 per item on top of the $100 base for gas appliances and gas piping that are part of a mechanical install. An electrical permit to replace a mechanical or plumbing fixture with no new wiring is $75. New wiring runs are $150.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in West 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 West 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 West 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 West 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 West 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 WEST ST. PAUL
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN WEST ST. PAUL
What West St. Paul homes are like.
1970Median year built
64%Built before 1980
57%Owner-occupied
68%Heat with utility gas
55%Single-family homes
About 64% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
68% 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 West St. Paul.
Saint Paul handles water-supply permits
West St. Paul sends homeowners to Saint Paul Regional Water Services for permits and inspections on the water supply. City inspectors handle drain, waste and vent work.
Pressure test for water lines
The city's handout says the water lines must be tested at 50 psi for 15 minutes at each rough-in stage. SPRWS does those inspections.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies West St. Paul homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (whole city)
- Gas: Xcel Energy (whole city)
Water
Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS): SPRWS lime-softens its water; its April 2016 monthly mineral report showed about 85 mg/L (about 5 gpg) total hardness. This is an old figure and the current annual report does not list hardness.
West St. Paul Water ↗ · SPRWS April 2016 Monthly Mineral Report ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for West St. Paul homes.
For Xcel Energy customers in West 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.
- 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 West St. Paul.
Permits and who issues them
West St. Paul's home plumbing handout says any new install or change to the home's water supply needs a plumbing permit from Saint Paul Regional Water Services (651-266-6270). Drain, waste and vent work needs a city plumbing permit. Only small repairs with the same materials, like faucets, are exempt. You apply for heating and ventilating (mechanical) permits in the city's eTRAKiT portal or by emailing the application. SPRWS inspects the water pipes.
Contractors applying for the first time must register in the city's ePermit system. The city charges a $5 contractor license check fee.
City of West St. Paul Building Department (drain/waste/vent and mechanical); Saint Paul Regional Water Services (domestic water supply) ↗ · West St. Paul Residential Plumbing Requirements ↗ · West St. Paul Permitting Information Handout ↗ · West St. Paul HVAC/Mechanical ↗ · West St. Paul Mechanical Permit Application ↗ · West St. Paul 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 West St. Paul.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South St. Paul | 2 mi | Required | — | Xcel Energy |
| Mendota Heights | 3 mi | Check with city | By job value (from $75) | Xcel Energy |
| St. Paul | 3 mi | Required | $85 | Xcel Energy |
| Inver Grove Heights | 5 mi | Required | $80 | Xcel Energy, Dakota Electric Association |
| Eagan | 7 mi | Required | $75, | Dakota Electric Association, Xcel Energy |
| Woodbury | 8 mi | Required | $75 | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
West St. Paul water heater questions.
Who issues the water permit for a water heater in West St. Paul?
The city sends water supply permits to Saint Paul Regional Water Services at 651-266-6270. SPRWS also inspects the water pipes.
How much is a city plumbing or mechanical permit?
Under the 2026 fee schedule: $100 base covering one fixture, $10 for each extra fixture up to $300, plus a state surcharge.
Who is allowed to do plumbing work in West St. Paul?
According to the city's handout, state-licensed plumbing contractors, master plumbers, or licensed journeypersons and registered apprentices.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides