Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN HAMPTON
Hampton Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓HAMPTON AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Hampton.
Yes, Hampton requires a permit for a hot water heater. It costs $60 plus $8 for every $1,000 of value, and plumbing and mechanical permits usually come back in 3-5 business days. Unitil supplies gas, water (since it bought Aquarion's NH system in June 2026) and electricity for part of town.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · Town of Hampton Building Department
- Permit fee
- Electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit: $60 processing fee plus $8 for every $1,000 of construction value.
- Who gets the permit
- Under NH RSA 153:36, you don't need a plumber's license for the plumbing that goes with installing a home water heater. An owner who lives in an existing single-family home can do their own gas fitting there. Other gas work needs a licensed gas fitter. You still need the town permit.
- Electric utility
- Unitil and Eversource (Public Service of New Hampshire)
- Gas utility
- Unitil
- Water
- Unitil (acquired Aquarion's New Hampshire water operations in June 2026)
- Rebate worth checking
- NHSaves heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1979 (median) · 75% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 7 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 Hampton averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Hampton
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeElectrical, plumbing or mechanical permit: $60 processing fee plus $8 for every $1,000 of construction value.. Town of Hampton Building Department fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for Hampton post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing (Somersworth), Simmons Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Hampton average is shown.
What can change the price in Hampton?
Oil-fired equipment also needs an oil burner permit from the Fire Department. LP tanks need a Fire Department permit too.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Hampton?
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 →
128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric
Lists Hampton among the areas it serves. Based in Wakefield.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback The reviewer praised a prompt next-day estimate and a technician who explained options, pricing and scheduling.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
East Coast HVAC
Lists Hampton among the areas it serves. Based in Dover, NH.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A Yelp reviewer (2020) praised the team's communication, scheduling flexibility and respect for the home during a propane on-demand water heater installation.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer (Dec 2024) said a $4,100 water heater quote had no itemized costs, and another (2018) said they were told the company was not taking new customers; no company responses were visible.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing (Somersworth)
Lists Hampton among the areas it serves. Based in Somersworth, NH.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
Published price: Offer: 'Get Hot Water Today — Or Get $500 Off' (book by 3pm for same-day installation; valid through 10/15/2026). Also water heater lease option (no money down) and 10% military discount. No installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A Yelp reviewer (2022) praised on-time, friendly crews, clean detailed pipework and an explanation of the system after a boiler and hot water tank replacement.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer (2018) said a two-visit gas water heater repair totaled $222.87, with a part billed at about double its retail price and separate service and labor fees for a 15-minute return visit; no company response was visible.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Sila Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical (Greater Boston)
Lists Hampton among the areas it serves. Based in Stoneham.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised a free control adjustment and flat-rate flush (2026), a clear diagnosis of a leaking Bosch tankless unit (2026), and professional water heater and boiler replacements.
Worth knowing Yelp reviewers alleged replacement quotes ($5,400 in 2019; at least $12,000 in 2024) for problems others fixed for $350 and $750, and one (Jan 2026) said National Grid found a significant gas leak at a newly installed water heater's joint the day after installation; no company responses were visible on these.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Simmons Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Lists Hampton among the areas it serves. Based in Seabrook, NH.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: $40 Off All Water Heater Installs. No installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised professional, clean installs, a fair price, and technicians who explained repairs on less common units such as on-demand and solar heaters.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Dry Air Systems
Lists Hampton among the areas it serves. Based in Newburyport.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater New Hampshire
Lists Hampton among the areas it serves. Based in Manchester, NH.
- 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 Hampton 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. NH OPLC license lookup ↗.
See before-and-after replacement examples from independent companies →
HOMES IN HAMPTON
What Hampton homes are like.
1979Median year built
52%Built before 1980
75%Owner-occupied
57%Heat with utility gas
70%Single-family homes
About 52% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
57% 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 Hampton.
Water utility changed hands in 2026
Unitil bought Aquarion's New Hampshire water business, including Hampton, in June 2026. Hampton homes can now get their water, gas and (in part of town) electric bills all from Unitil.
LP and oil add a Fire Department permit
Above-ground LP tanks and oil burners in Hampton need a Fire Department permit on top of the Building Department permit.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Hampton homes.
Energy
- Electric: Unitil (serves part of Hampton)
- Electric: Eversource (Public Service of New Hampshire) (part of town)
- Gas: Unitil
Unitil: Service Areas (electric, gas and water) ↗ · Eversource: Communities we serve ↗
Water
Unitil (acquired Aquarion's New Hampshire water operations in June 2026)
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Hampton homes.
For Unitil and Eversource (Public Service of New Hampshire) customers in Hampton. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- NHSaves heat pump water heater rebate ↗Active$900 for a new ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater up to 85 gallons (UEF 3.30 or higher for integrated units, 2.80 or higher for split-system or 120-volt models).
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: New Hampshire rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Hampton.
Permits and who issues them
Hampton lists hot water heaters as plumbing and mechanical work that needs a permit. Gas appliances need a Building Department permit before you install and use them. You can apply online, and plumbing and mechanical permits usually take 3-5 business days.
We found no separate Hampton contractor license.
Town of Hampton Building Department ↗ · Town of Hampton Building Fee Schedule ↗ · Town of Hampton FAQ: When do I need to obtain a building permit? ↗ · Town of Hampton: Installation of Heating Equipment ↗ · NH RSA 153:36 Exceptions (mechanical licensing) ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the NH OPLC license lookup ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. New Hampshire licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Hampton.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 8 mi | Required | $75, | Eversource (NH) |
| Durham | 15 mi | Required | $50 | Eversource (NH), New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) |
| Dover | 17 mi | Required | $6 | Eversource (NH) |
| Somersworth | 22 mi | Required | $10 | Eversource (Public Service of New Hampshire) |
| Derry | 23 mi | Required | $35 | Eversource (Public Service of New Hampshire), Unitil |
| Rochester | 26 mi | Required | — | Eversource (NH) |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Hampton water heater questions.
Does a water heater replacement need a permit in Hampton?
Yes. Hampton lists hot water heaters as work that needs a permit.
Town of Hampton FAQ: When do I need to obtain a building permit? ↗
How much is it?
$60 plus $8 for every $1,000 of construction value, for an electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit.
Can I do the work myself?
NH law says the plumbing for a water heater install doesn't need a licensed plumber, and owners can do gas fitting in a single-family home they live in. You still need the town permit.
NH RSA 153:36 Exceptions (mechanical licensing) ↗ · Town of Hampton FAQ: When do I need to obtain a building permit? ↗
More guides: New Hampshire water heater replacement · All local guides