Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN WHITE BEAR LAKE
White Bear Lake Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓WHITE BEAR LAKE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in White Bear Lake.
White Bear Lake charges a flat $75 plus a $1 state surcharge in 2026 to install or replace a water heater. If you live in the home and do the work yourself, you can pull the permit with a property waiver. The city softens its water to 5–7 grains per gallon. Its building department also serves Mahtomedi.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of White Bear Lake Building Department (also serves Mahtomedi)
- Permit fee
- $75 to install or replace a water heater, plus a $1 state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule, Ordinance 25-12-2083, in effect January 1, 2026; rate last changed January 2025).
- Who gets the permit
- The plumbing application treats the applicant as the contractor, who must have a State of Minnesota plumbing license. The exception: an owner who lives in the single-family home, does the work in person, and is not renting or selling it may get the permit with a signed property waiver.
- Electric utility
- Xcel Energy
- Gas utility
- Xcel Energy
- Water
- City of White Bear Lake Water Division (softening treatment plant) · The city softens its water from 11 grains of hardness to 5–7 grains before distribution; softening pauses each spring for plant maintenance (Water Treatment page; year not stated).
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate (Minnesota electric) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1969 (median) · 68% 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 White Bear Lake averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in White Bear Lake
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$75 to install or replace a water heater, plus a $1 state surcharge (2026 Fee Schedule, Ordinance 25-12-2083, in effect January 1, 2026; rate last changed January 2025).. City of White Bear Lake Building Department (also serves Mahtomedi) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price6 of the companies listed for White Bear Lake 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, Plumb Right. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no White Bear Lake average is shown.
What can change the price in White Bear Lake?
Gas piping is its own $75 plumbing fee. Changing or repairing water pipes or drain, waste and vent lines is $75. Tokle Inspections does electrical inspections.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in White Bear Lake?
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 →
Air Mechanical
Lists White Bear Lake among the areas it serves. Based in 16411 Aberdeen St NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised knowledgeable plumbers who explained water heater condition and options, and a repair that avoided a full replacement.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked; one Yelp reviewer said technicians consistently try to upsell extras, though without pressure.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Aquarius Home Services
Lists White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake 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.
Master Plumbing Services
Lists White Bear Lake 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.
Plumb Right
Lists White Bear Lake among the areas it serves. Based in Brooklyn Park.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
Published price: Coupons page: $100 off water heater installation/replacement; $100 off tankless water heater installation/replacement; $50 off water heater repair; $50 off tankless repair (not valid for trip charge or diagnostic fee; page headed 2025, no expiration shown) —
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Ryan Plumbing & Heating
Lists White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake: Water Heaters Now.
Order: companies based in White Bear Lake 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 WHITE BEAR LAKE
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN WHITE BEAR LAKE
What White Bear Lake homes are like.
1969Median year built
62%Built before 1980
68%Owner-occupied
71%Heat with utility gas
70%Single-family homes
About 62% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
71% 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 White Bear Lake.
Soft city water, except in spring
White Bear Lake softens its water to 5–7 grains. Each spring, during hydrant flushing, the plant stops softening for its yearly cleaning, so the water gets harder for a while.
Building department shared with Mahtomedi
White Bear Lake's Building Department also issues Mahtomedi's permits, but each city sets its own fees.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies White Bear Lake homes.
Energy
- Electric: Xcel Energy (Named for electric and gas on the city's New Resident Resources page. The only electric utility shown in the city on the PUC service-area map.)
- Gas: Xcel Energy (Named for electric and gas on the city's New Resident Resources page. Xcel lists White Bear Lake in its Minnesota gas service area.)
City of White Bear Lake New Resident Resources (Wayback copy, Jan 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 ↗
Water
City of White Bear Lake Water Division (softening treatment plant): The city softens its water from 11 grains of hardness to 5–7 grains before distribution; softening pauses each spring for plant maintenance (Water Treatment page; year not stated).
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for White Bear Lake homes.
For Xcel Energy customers in White Bear Lake. 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 White Bear Lake.
Permits and who issues them
White Bear Lake's 2026 fee schedule has a plumbing permit line for installing or replacing a water heater, and the plumbing permit application lists water heaters. Apply in the city's ePermit system, by email to the Building Department, or in person at City Hall (651-429-8518).
The city no longer requires a city license for mechanical contractors (heating, ventilation and gas piping). They need a Minnesota mechanical bond to get a mechanical permit. Plumbers need a State of Minnesota plumbing license.
City of White Bear Lake Building Department (also serves Mahtomedi) ↗ · White Bear Lake Building ↗ · White Bear Lake Building Permit Applications ↗ · White Bear Lake Plumbing Permit Application ↗ · White Bear Lake 2026 Fee Schedule ↗ · White Bear Lake Trade Licenses ↗
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 White Bear Lake.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vadnais Heights | 3 mi | Required | $65 | Connexus Energy, Xcel Energy |
| Maplewood | 3 mi | Required | $45 | Xcel Energy, North St. Paul Electric Utility |
| North St. Paul | 4 mi | Required | — | North St. Paul Electric Utility (city-owned) |
| Little Canada | 5 mi | Check with city | $45 | Xcel Energy |
| Oakdale | 6 mi | Required | $89 | Xcel Energy, City of North St. Paul electric utility |
| Shoreview | 6 mi | Required | $65 | Xcel Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
White Bear Lake water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in White Bear Lake?
$75 plus a $1 state surcharge to install or replace one, under the 2026 fee schedule.
Can I pull the plumbing permit myself?
Yes, if you own and live in the single-family home, do the work yourself, aren't renting or selling it, and sign a property waiver.
Is White Bear Lake's water soft?
Yes. The city softens it from 11 down to 5–7 grains before it reaches homes, except during the plant's yearly spring maintenance.
More guides: Minnesota water heater replacement · All local guides