Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN AUSTIN
Austin Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓AUSTIN AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Austin.
You need a permit to replace a water heater in Austin. It's a stand-alone Plumbing Change Out permit, pulled by a plumber registered with the City or by a homeowner who qualifies and does the work personally. Austin Energy pays $1,000 toward a qualifying heat pump water heater, and Texas Gas Service rebates have ended. Ask your installer about attic installs and freeze protection.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · Austin Development Services
- Who gets the permit
- A licensed plumber registered with the City, or a homeowner with a Homestead Permit who does the work personally.
- Electric utility
- Austin Energy
- Gas utility
- Texas Gas Service and CenterPoint Energy (gas)
- Water
- Austin Water · About 70–86 mg/L (roughly 4–5 grains per gallon), 2026 summaries
- Rebate worth checking
- Austin Energy heat pump water heater rebate (Active; limited funding)
- Typical home
- Built 1994 (median) · 43% 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 Austin averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Austin
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised price6 of the companies listed for Austin post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Austin Plumbing, Beyond Wow Plumbing, Clarke Kent Plumbing, Inc., Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Austin, Radiant Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical, Stan's Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Individual customer reportOne water heater review mentions specific amounts. These are single customer accounts, not checked invoices or typical prices.
Show what it says
Radiant Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical: The customer disputed a $2,006 charge for replacing an in-warranty heater and questioned the additional work. BBB complaint · September 29, 2025 · Resolved · Source ↗
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Austin average is shown.
We have not established an Austin market average. Local providers reviewed quote the job individually; promotional discounts do not tell you the installed total.
What can change the price in Austin?
Moving the heater, changing gas lines and adding new circuits are handled separately, so check those on their own.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Austin?
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 →
ABC Home & Commercial Services (Austin)
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised clear pros-and-cons explanations, fair and clearly explained pricing on a tankless and tank install, and honest advice about the age of a heater.
Worth knowing A 2023 Yelp reviewer said a plumber estimated about $200 to replace a water heater expansion tank, but the follow-up written quote was $500+.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Austin Plumbing
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: '10% Off First-Time Customers' (general discount, no water heater price published
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A company-hosted testimonial praises phone troubleshooting for a water heater problem.
Worth knowing Not enough water heater reviews to assess installation quality or pricing; no water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Beyond Wow Plumbing
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Offers (expire 9/30/26): '$100 off Tank-Type Water Heater Installation' and free Flow-tech water conditioning device ('$1,500 value') with a new tankless install offers page: 'SAVE $250 on a Tank Water Heater Installation or $500 on a Tankless Water Heater Installation'
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised same-day tank replacement, a professional emergency repair on an attic electric water heater, and a quick fix after a drain-and-refill service.
Worth knowing Two customers described Navien tankless installs with leaks, gas-line problems and failed inspections.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Clarke Kent Plumbing, Inc.
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: General coupons only: '$10 off invoice over $95' and '$20 off invoice over $150' (COD orders) — no water heater price published
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One reviewer praised a replacement water heater that was delivered and installed within hours of the call; another praised a punctual warranty repair.
Worth knowing A 2021 Yelp reviewer said piping above her 2019 water heater install failed twice and flooded her kitchen and garage, and that the company repaired the pipes but referred the damage to her insurance.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Fox Service Company
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A reviewer praised a quick inspection and next-day water heater replacement.
Worth knowing A 2024 Yelp reviewer said he was charged $700 for 30 minutes of labor on a warranty part after an initial invoice showed only a $90 trip fee (no reply visible).
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Austin
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons: '$150 Off Any Tank Water Heater Replacement' and '$300 Off New Tankless Water Heater' (unit must be provided by Mr. Rooter), both expiring 09/30/2026 —
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day water heater and pressure-valve replacement, clear explanations, and a quick tankless repair.
Worth knowing On Yelp, one customer said an $800 Rinnai tankless repair did not solve the problem and a $5,000 fix was then suggested; another objected to a $69 dispatch fee for a replacement quote; a 2017 reviewer said a new gas valve was broken during a warranty repair.
6 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Radiant Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Installation page includes a general cost explainer: standard 40-50 gal gas/electric install 'might range from $300 to $900, excluding the unit's cost'; tankless install '$1,000 to $3,000 or more' — presented as general estimates, not a Radiant quote
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One reviewer praised professional service across jobs including water heater replacement.
Worth knowing A water heater customer disputed warranty-replacement charges.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Reliant Plumbing
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised a free Sunday relight, advice on a failing unit and a professional, clean installation.
Worth knowing BBB complaints allege a $1,703.42 double charge (Reliant said a refund had been issued), an unfinished tankless job (answered, not resolved), an unconsented $213 membership (unanswered) and a faulty tankless install that ended in a $2,500 refund (resolved).
9 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (Austin)
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day repair, honest advice on what a replacement did and did not need, and a quick fix to a burst water heater pipe.
Worth knowing On Yelp, one customer said a $2,500 replacement bid was repaired elsewhere for $150; another said a tankless installation flooded the house, and that the Austin manager accepted responsibility and arranged drying and repairs.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Stan's Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical
Lists Austin among the areas it serves. Based in Austin.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: 'Up To $300 Off A New Water Heater' — 10% off up to $300 on a standard water heater only, expires September 30, 2026
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One customer praised same-day water heater installation.
Worth knowing Water heater customers described booking or follow-up difficulties.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Also listing Austin: Cedar Park Plumbing.
Order: companies based in Austin 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. Texas plumbing license lookup ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING AUSTIN
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN AUSTIN
What Austin homes are like.
1994Median year built
28%Built before 1980
43%Owner-occupied
41%Heat with utility gas
49%Single-family homes
About 26% of homes were built since 2010, so many original water heaters are reaching the age when replacement planning makes sense.
57% of homes heat with electricity, which usually means an electric water heater. It’s worth getting a price on a heat pump model too.
Only 43% 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 Austin.
Attic water heaters
Austin's local plumbing changes, as proposed to council in April 2025, would not allow a tank heater over 17 gallons in an attic unless you can reach it through an upright door from a living space on the same floor. We haven't confirmed the final adopted wording or how it treats attic tanks already in place.
Ask: If my tank is in an attic reached by a pull-down ladder, can the new one go back in the same spot?
Austin council draft amendments ↗ · Austin technical codes ↗
Freezes and outdoor tankless heaters
Rinnai says its outdoor tankless heaters protect themselves from freezing only while they have power. If the power goes out when it's below freezing, drain the unit. Its warranty doesn't cover freeze damage.
Ask: How is this unit protected if the power goes out in a freeze?
Moderately hard water
Austin Water's 2026 summaries show tap water at about 70–86 mg/L hardness, or roughly 4–5 grains per gallon. Rinnai calls that slightly hard and recommends flushing home units once a year.
Ask: What maintenance does this model need to keep its warranty?
Austin Water quality summaries ↗ · Rinnai tankless installation manual ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Austin homes.
Energy
- Electric: Austin Energy
- Gas: Texas Gas Service
- Gas: CenterPoint Energy (gas) (CenterPoint's list of Texas gas rate areas also includes Austin; check which company serves your address.)
Austin Energy - Service area map ↗ · Texas Gas Service - statewide tariff (QSR-TGS) service-area community list ↗ · CenterPoint Energy - Texas Geographic Rate Areas by City (natural gas) ↗
Water
Austin Water: About 70–86 mg/L (roughly 4–5 grains per gallon), 2026 summaries
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Austin homes.
For Austin Energy, Texas Gas Service and CenterPoint Energy (gas) customers in Austin. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Austin Energy heat pump water heater rebate ↗Active; limited funding$1,000 for an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater with an Energy Factor of 2.0 or higher and at least 40 gallons.
- Texas Gas Service rebates ↗ExpiredThe company says its energy efficiency program has expired and rebates are no longer available.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 29, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Texas rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Austin.
Permits and who issues them
Austin treats a water heater swap as a stand-alone “Plumbing Change Out” permit. There are no plans to review. A licensed plumber registered with the City pulls it, or a homeowner who qualifies for a Homestead Permit and does the work personally. Moving the heater, changing gas lines and adding new circuits are checked separately.
A permit expires on day 181 if no inspection has been scheduled or held. The Homestead Permit requires a homestead exemption and doesn't cover propane (liquefied petroleum) plumbing.
Plumbers must be registered with the City of Austin.
Austin Development Services ↗ · Austin homeowner (Homestead) permit ↗ · Austin permit types ↗
Check who handles your address
Getting Austin utility service doesn't always mean your home is under Austin's permit rules. Travis County and areas just outside city limits follow different rules, so check which permit office covers your address.
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Texas plumbing license lookup ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Texas licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Austin.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Ranch | 10 mi | Required (county) | Case by case: WCID 17's | Austin Energy |
| Hornsby Bend | 11 mi | Check with city (county) | — | Austin Energy |
| Wells Branch | 11 mi | Check with city (county) | — | Oncor (delivery; retail electric provider chosen by customer) |
| Manor | 12 mi | Required | — | Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Oncor (delivery; retail electric provider chosen by customer) |
| Pflugerville | 14 mi | Required | $60 | Oncor (delivery; retail electric provider chosen by customer), Austin Energy |
| Lakeway | 14 mi | Check with city | $75 | Austin Energy, Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) |
More guides: Texas water heater replacement · All local guides