Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN ST. LOUIS
St. Louis Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓ST. LOUIS AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in St. Louis.
The City of St. Louis runs its own Plumbing Section. Only city-licensed plumbing contractors can get permits, which cost a $30 application fee plus $10 per water heater under Ordinance 71644 and are usually approved in 1 to 3 business days. The city's Water Division supplies Missouri River water that averaged 129 ppm hardness in 2025. In St. Louis, Ameren Missouri provides electricity and Spire provides gas.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of St. Louis Building Division, Plumbing Section
- Permit fee
- $30 application fee plus $10 per water heater. Rough and final inspections are $25 each, and a re-inspection is $30 (Ordinance 71644). Starting work before you have the permit adds a surcharge of $35–$1,005, depending on job value.
- Who gets the permit
- Plumbing permits go to plumbing contractors licensed by the City of St. Louis, who need a city Plumbing Contractor's license and a registered trades contractor account. The fee page mentions permits 'contractors and homeowners' can get, but the application page only describes the contractor process.
- Electric utility
- Ameren Missouri
- Gas utility
- Spire
- Water
- City of St. Louis Water Division · Average 129 ppm as CaCO3 (range 80–206), about 7.5 gpg; 2025 Water Quality Report
- Rebate worth checking
- Missouri IRA Home Energy Rebates (HOMES and HEAR) (Not launched)
- Typical home
- Built 1938 (median) · 45% 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 St. Louis averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in St. Louis
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$30 application fee plus $10 per water heater. Rough and final inspections are $25 each, and a re-inspection is $30 (Ordinance 71644). Starting work before you have the permit adds a surcharge of $35–$1,005, depending on job value.. City of St. Louis Building Division, Plumbing Section fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price1 of the companies listed for St. Louis post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Arch Plumbing. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no St. Louis average is shown.
What can change the price in St. Louis?
Water taps, sewer connections and repairs, and backflow devices have their own plumbing permit fees ($25 each for taps and sewer work).
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in St. Louis?
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 →
Arch Plumbing
Lists St. Louis among the areas it serves. Based in Lake St. Louis, MO area (site says 'Based near Lake St. Louis'; no street address shown).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price:
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised quick scheduling for water heater replacements, including same-day and next-morning installs, and prompt, professional technicians.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Kirkwood Plumbing
Lists St. Louis among the areas it serves. Based in 248 Grand Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Testimonials praised an on-time, code-compliant water heater install and a fast same-morning repair.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked; one testimonial described the install as quite pricey, citing the customer's choice of heater and upgrades.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Performance Plumbing
Lists St. Louis among the areas it serves. Based in 1104 S Callahan Rd, Wentzville, MO 63385.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised on-time, tidy water heater replacements at a fair price, clear explanations, and no-pressure estimates.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Order: companies based in St. Louis 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. Missouri has no statewide plumbing license (check your city or county) ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING ST. LOUIS
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN ST. LOUIS
What St. Louis homes are like.
1938Median year built
86%Built before 1980
45%Owner-occupied
67%Heat with utility gas
47%Single-family homes
About 86% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
67% of homes heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters with existing venting are common here.
Only 45% of homes are owner-occupied. Renters should ask the landlord or property manager; replacing the heater is usually the owner’s decision.
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 St. Louis.
The city isn't part of St. Louis County
The City of St. Louis issues its own plumbing permits and licenses its own plumbing contractors. St. Louis County permits and licenses don't apply inside city limits.
Missouri River water with pH near 9.5
The Water Division's two plants draw mostly Missouri River water. The 2025 report lists average hardness of 129 ppm and an average pH of 9.52.
City of St. Louis Water Division 2025 Water Quality Report ↗
Penalty for starting before the permit
Starting plumbing work before you get a permit adds a surcharge: $35 for jobs up to $50, and $485 for jobs of $2,001–$10,000.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies St. Louis homes.
Energy
- Electric: Ameren Missouri
- Gas: Spire
Missouri PSC Utility Locator (St. Louis County / St. Charles / Lincoln / Franklin city list) ↗
Water
City of St. Louis Water Division: Average 129 ppm as CaCO3 (range 80–206), about 7.5 gpg; 2025 Water Quality Report
City of St. Louis Water Division 2025 Water Quality Report ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for St. Louis homes.
For Ameren Missouri and Spire customers in St. Louis. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Missouri IRA Home Energy Rebates (HOMES and HEAR) ↗Not launchedMissouri expects about $76 million for HOMES and $75 million for electrification and appliance rebates.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Missouri rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in St. Louis.
Permits and who issues them
The City of St. Louis (a separate city, not part of St. Louis County) issues its own plumbing permits and lists water heaters among the fixtures charged on a plumbing permit. Licensed contractors apply online on the STL City Permits dashboard or in person at Room 425, City Hall. Most applications are approved in 1 to 3 business days, and inspections are scheduled from the dashboard.
Yes. To apply, you need a Plumbing Contractor's license from the City of St. Louis Building Division and a registered trades contractor account on STL City Permits.
City of St. Louis Building Division, Plumbing Section ↗ · City of St. Louis: Apply for a Plumbing Permit ↗ · City of St. Louis: Plumbing Permit Fees (Ordinance 71644) ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Missouri has no statewide plumbing license (check your city or county) ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Missouri licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near St. Louis.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton | 5 mi | Required | $35 | Ameren Missouri |
| University City | 5 mi | Required | — | Ameren Missouri |
| Jennings | 6 mi | Required | — | Ameren Missouri |
| Webster Groves | 7 mi | Required | — | Ameren Missouri |
| Lemay | 7 mi | Required (county) | $47 | Ameren Missouri |
| Affton | 7 mi | Required (county) | $47 | Ameren Missouri |
COMMON QUESTIONS
St. Louis water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in the City of St. Louis?
A $30 application fee plus $10 per water heater. Rough and final inspection fees of $25 each are listed separately (Ordinance 71644).
Who can get the permit?
Plumbing contractors licensed by the City of St. Louis, with a city Plumbing Contractor's license and an STL City Permits trades account.
How hard is St. Louis city water?
The 2025 Water Quality Report lists average total hardness of 129 ppm as CaCO3, ranging from 80 to 206 ppm.
City of St. Louis Water Division 2025 Water Quality Report ↗
More guides: Missouri water heater replacement · All local guides