Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN BELLAIRE
Bellaire Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓BELLAIRE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Bellaire.
Bellaire lists its plumbing fees item by item for FY2026: a $44 issuing fee and $35 for a water heater and vent, plus a permit processing fee charged on every permit. CenterPoint delivers power. Any company working in the city must carry $300,000 in liability insurance. City water is about half Houston surface water and half groundwater.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Bellaire Development Services (Permits)
- Permit fee
- Listed item by item (FY2026): $44 plumbing issuing fee plus $35 for the water heater and/or vent. The schedule also lists a $44 processing fee on all permits and a $59 plumbing minimum.
- Who gets the permit
- Usually a plumber licensed by the state board (TSBPE). Bellaire's FAQ says homeowner permits are only for roof repair or remodeling on a homestead. Any company working in the city needs at least $300,000 in general liability insurance.
- Electric utility
- CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider
- Gas utility
- CenterPoint Energy
- Water
- City of Bellaire (52% City of Houston surface water, 48% Evangeline Aquifer groundwater)
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Incentive (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1996 (median) · 88% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 10 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 Bellaire averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Bellaire
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeListed item by item (FY2026): $44 plumbing issuing fee plus $35 for the water heater and/or vent. The schedule also lists a $44 processing fee on all permits and a $59 plumbing minimum.. City of Bellaire Development Services (Permits) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price5 of the companies listed for Bellaire post water heater prices or specials on their websites: ARS/Rescue Rooter Houston, John Moore Services, Mission Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Nick's Plumbing & Air Conditioning, Village Plumbing, Air & Electric. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Bellaire average is shown.
What can change the price in Bellaire?
Electric water heaters also have electrical charges ($12 under 1,500 W, $24 over 1,500 W, or a per-kW rate) on a separate electrical permit with its own $44 issuing fee. Gas piping starts at $23 for up to five outlets.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Bellaire?
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 Bellaire 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 Bellaire 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 Bellaire 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.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day service, upfront repair and replacement prices, prompt emergency response, and a tankless conversion.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised accurate phone estimates, knowledgeable technicians, and professional tankless installation and maintenance crews.
Worth knowing A 2022 Yelp reviewer said a tankless quote of $3,400–$4,200 by phone became $5,000 for a smaller unit on site.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
John Moore Services
Lists Bellaire 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 Bellaire 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.
Nick's Plumbing & Air Conditioning
Lists Bellaire among the areas it serves. Based in Houston.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupon: '$2,000 Water Heater Credit with Variable Speed System Purchase' — applies toward any water heater replacement bought together with a qualifying Daikin variable-speed AC system; offer expires September 30, 2026. Also lists a '$275 Tankless Water Heater Flush'.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a friendly, efficient installer with good cleanup and help bringing a water heater up to code.
Worth knowing Customers on BBB and Yelp disputed tankless and tank replacement prices (about $7,000 and $4,900).
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (Houston)
Lists Bellaire 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 Bellaire 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 Bellaire 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 BELLAIRE
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN BELLAIRE
What Bellaire homes are like.
1996Median year built
28%Built before 1980
88%Owner-occupied
73%Heat with utility gas
97%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1996. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
73% 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 Bellaire.
Limited homeowner permits
Bellaire gives a Homeowners Building Permit only for a homestead (as listed by HCAD) and only for roof repair or remodeling. So a water heater swap usually goes through a licensed plumber.
Mixed water supply
About half of Bellaire's water is Houston surface water, and half is city well water from the Evangeline Aquifer.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Bellaire homes.
Energy
- Electric: CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider (Power to Choose shows only CenterPoint for ZIP 77401)
- Gas: CenterPoint Energy (We couldn't confirm this from an official source for Bellaire)
Texas PUC Power to Choose plan data for ZIP 77401 (company_tdu_name field) ↗ · CenterPoint Energy - Texas Geographic Rate Areas by City (natural gas) ↗
Water
City of Bellaire (52% City of Houston surface water, 48% Evangeline Aquifer groundwater)
Bellaire 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report ↗ · Bellaire Water and Wastewater ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Bellaire homes.
For CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider and CenterPoint Energy customers in Bellaire. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- 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 Bellaire.
Permits and who issues them
Bellaire's FY2026 fee schedule has a plumbing permit with a charge for 'Water Heater And/or Vent'. Permits, contractor registration and inspections go through the city's SmartGov portal.
Contractor registration forms are on the SmartGov portal. The FY2026 schedule lists $44 registration for builders and irrigation/drainage contractors. Any company working in Bellaire must carry at least $300,000 in general liability insurance.
City of Bellaire Development Services (Permits) ↗ · Bellaire FY2026 Schedule of Fees and Charges (Development Services) ↗ · Bellaire Development Services FAQs ↗ · 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 Bellaire.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West University Place | 2 mi | Required | $100 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Houston | 7 mi | Required | $34.24 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Stafford | 8 mi | Required | $75 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Missouri City | 11 mi | Required | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Fresno | 12 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Four Corners | 12 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Bellaire water heater questions.
What does a water heater permit cost in Bellaire?
The FY2026 schedule lists a $44 plumbing issuing fee plus $35 per water heater and/or vent, and a $44 processing fee on every permit. Check the total with the permit office.
Can I do the work myself?
Probably not. Bellaire's homeowner permit covers only roof repair or remodeling on a homestead, so plan on a licensed, insured plumber.
More guides: Texas water heater replacement · All local guides