Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN BAYTOWN
Baytown Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓BAYTOWN AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Baytown.
Baytown lists water heater replacement as work that needs a permit. Under the June 2026 fee schedule, a trade permit to replace existing equipment is a flat $100. CenterPoint delivers power. If your home is in the city's Revitalization Incentive Zone, plumbing permit fees can be waived.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Baytown Planning & Development Services, Building Services Division
- Permit fee
- $100 for a home mechanical, electrical or plumbing permit with no plan review (repairing or replacing existing equipment), starting June 1, 2026.
- Who gets the permit
- Contractors must apply for a professional license in the city's CSS portal before they can apply for permits. State law lets you do plumbing without a license in a home you own and live in; otherwise you need a plumber licensed by the state board (TSBPE).
- Electric utility
- CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider
- Gas utility
- CenterPoint Energy
- Water
- City of Baytown (treated Trinity River surface water)
- Rebate worth checking
- Revitalization Incentive Zone (RIZ) fee waivers (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1981 (median) · 52% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 9 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 Baytown averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Baytown
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$100 for a home mechanical, electrical or plumbing permit with no plan review (repairing or replacing existing equipment), starting June 1, 2026.. City of Baytown Planning & Development Services, Building Services Division fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price6 of the companies listed for Baytown post water heater prices or specials on their websites: ARS/Rescue Rooter Houston, Heaton Plumbing, John Moore Services, Mission Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Galveston & Brazoria Counties, Village Plumbing, Air & Electric. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Baytown average is shown.
What can change the price in Baytown?
The permit list also includes installing or replacing gas lines and electrical work beyond swapping fixtures. Changes, extensions and additions need plans reviewed, at $140 per trade permit.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Baytown?
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 →
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves. Based in Houston.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day replacement of a leaking heater and a technician who offered several options.
Worth knowing One reviewer alleged a burner plate was loosened during an AC maintenance visit and a quote followed; Abacus replied asking her to call.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
ARS/Rescue Rooter Houston
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves. Based in Houston.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: 'Save Up to $300 on a New Water Heater' — purchase and installation of qualifying water heater required; residential only; 'Offer expires 09/30/2026.'
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Testimonials praised a next-morning replacement and an installation crew that kept the customer informed and cleaned up.
Worth knowing Yelp reviewers alleged an improper tankless vent and incomplete install (2025) and a reused drain line that leaked three years later, with a $2,500 charge to install a warranty unit (2026); ARS replied citing premium pricing and offered its quality team.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Brick Plumbing
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves. Based in Pearland.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A testimonial praised a professional plumber who explained the work, with prices the reviewer found reasonable.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Heaton Plumbing
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves. Based in La Porte.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Downloadable coupon images: $100.00 off tank-type water heater installation and $200.00 off tankless water heater installation (no expiration date visible).
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised quick installation, on-time staff, clean work, and a crew that explained and corrected a previous improper install.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
John Moore Services
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons: 'Save $40 on a water heater replacement' (traditional), 'Save $100 on a tankless water heater system', '$99 Traditional Water Heater Flush' — limit one per household, expire 12/31/2026.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised clear upfront pricing for tankless service, same-day work after explaining what the water heaters needed, and prompt warranty service.
Worth knowing A 2026 BBB reviewer said an $18,000 tankless replacement quote was avoided with a $125 pump from another plumber.
6 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Mission Air Conditioning & Plumbing
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupons: '$100 Off Water Heater Replacement' and '$89 Off Water Heater Flush' (expire 09/30/2026); tankless promo 'Endless Hot Water Starting at $124/mo'.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised several options and price points without pressure, fast installation with haul-away, and professional installers.
Worth knowing A 2026 Yelp reviewer said a scheduled water heater flush was postponed twice due to plumber availability.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Galveston & Brazoria Counties
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves. Based in League City.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$200 Off Water Heater Installation' — expires 01/31/2027; valid only at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Galveston; also 10% off for seniors and military (up to $100).
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised professional installers who answered questions, and one said charges not covered by the home warranty were explained upfront.
Worth knowing A 2025 Yelp reviewer said a tankless flush was quoted at $325 only on arrival and a hose leaked afterward.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (Houston)
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves. Based in Houston.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised a same-day replacement completed within four hours of the call and a repair that avoided a replacement.
Worth knowing Yelp reviewers said a near-$5,000 replacement was recommended when a second plumber relit the pilot for $100, and that a $250 part was quoted for a six-month-old heater; the company's manager asked both to send service details because the records could not be found.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Village Plumbing, Air & Electric
Lists Baytown among the areas it serves. Based in Houston.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons: '$300 off Water Heaters', '$750 Off Tankless Water Heater Install', '$99 Water Heater Flush' (terms shown on redemption).
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a thorough water heater flush with safety guidance and a technician who explained how their heater worked.
Worth knowing Customers disputed replacement quotes ($3,184–$5,721 for a 40-gallon tank; $4,524.57 financed), and a BBB complaint says a red-tagged tankless installation was followed by a lien letter instead of a rescheduled inspection; that complaint shows no business response.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Order: companies based in Baytown 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 BAYTOWN
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN BAYTOWN
What Baytown homes are like.
1981Median year built
49%Built before 1980
52%Owner-occupied
38%Heat with utility gas
61%Single-family homes
About 49% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
60% of homes heat with electricity, which usually means an electric water heater. It’s worth getting a price on a heat pump model too.
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 Baytown.
Water heaters are on the permit list
Baytown's home permit handout lists installing or replacing a water heater, gas line work and replacing a boiler as jobs that need a permit.
New fees in 2026
Baytown updated its building permit fees on June 1, 2026. Replacing a water heater with the same type falls under the $100 trade permit with no plan review.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Baytown homes.
Energy
- Electric: CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider (Power to Choose shows only CenterPoint for ZIPs 77520 and 77521)
- Gas: CenterPoint Energy
Water
City of Baytown (treated Trinity River surface water)
Baytown Annual Water Quality Report, reporting year 2024 ↗ · Baytown Moving Here (utilities) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Baytown homes.
For CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider and CenterPoint Energy customers in Baytown. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Revitalization Incentive Zone (RIZ) fee waivers ↗ActiveFor homes inside the Revitalization Incentive Zone (RIZ), the city waives building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit fees (and some impact fees) and refunds city taxes for up to 5 years on qualified improvements.
- Heat Pump Water Heater Incentive ↗ActiveIncentive for replacing an existing electric storage water heater with an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater.
- 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 Baytown.
Permits and who issues them
Baytown's home permit list says installing or replacing a water heater needs a permit. Apply, pay and book inspections in the city's Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal.
Yes. Contractors apply for a Professional License in the CSS portal before pulling permits.
City of Baytown Planning & Development Services, Building Services Division ↗ · Baytown Building Permit Fees (effective June 1, 2026) ↗ · Baytown Residential Building Permit Requirements (v1.10.22) ↗ · Baytown Building Permits ↗ · TSBPE Plumbing License Law (Sept 2025 plain view): Sec. 1301.051, 1301.551 ↗
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 Baytown.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Porte | 8 mi | Required | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Channelview | 9 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Deer Park | 10 mi | Required | $25 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Seabrook | 12 mi | Required | $100 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Cloverleaf | 13 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Pasadena | 13 mi | Required | $15 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Baytown water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in Baytown?
$100 for a home trade permit with no plan review (repairing or replacing existing equipment), under fees that started June 1, 2026.
Can the permit fee be waived?
Yes, inside Baytown's Revitalization Incentive Zone the city waives building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit fees for qualified improvements. Check the RIZ map for your address.
Where does Baytown's water come from?
The city's water report says it comes from the Trinity River. The report doesn't list hardness.
More guides: Texas water heater replacement · All local guides