Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN HOUSTON
Houston Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓HOUSTON AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Houston.
Houston has its own plumbing permit for water heater replacement, and only a master plumber whose license is registered with the city can pull it. The minimum fee is $97.56, including a $33.56 administrative fee. A single-family home needs no plans reviewed, but it does need an inspection. CenterPoint delivers power. Houston's Main System water averaged 135.5 ppm hardness in 2025, ranging from 43.5 to 229 ppm.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Houston, Houston Public Works (Houston Permitting Center), Plumbing Inspections Section
- Permit fee
- $34.24 for the first three heaters and $11.41 for each one after that, plus a $33.56 administrative fee, with a $97.56 minimum (the page doesn't say when these fees started)
- Who gets the permit
- Houston's page says a master plumber whose state license is registered with the City of Houston must get the permit. It doesn't describe a way for homeowners to pull one.
- Electric utility
- CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer
- Gas utility
- CenterPoint Energy (gas)
- Water
- Houston Water (City of Houston Public Works), Main System TX1010013 · Total hardness as CaCO3 43.5–229 ppm, average 135.5 ppm (about 8 gpg), Main System, sampled 2025 (Houston Water Quality Report 2025)
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Incentive (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1982 (median) · 42% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 13 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 Houston averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Houston
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$34.24 for the first three heaters and $11.41 for each one after that, plus a $33.56 administrative fee, with a $97.56 minimum (the page doesn't say when these fees started). City of Houston, Houston Public Works (Houston Permitting Center), Plumbing Inspections Section fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price7 of the companies listed for Houston post water heater prices or specials on their websites: ARS/Rescue Rooter Houston, Nick's Plumbing & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of League City, Heaton Plumbing, Mission Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Galveston & Brazoria Counties, Planet Houston Plumbing. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Houston average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Houston?
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 Houston 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 Houston 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.
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.
Nick's Plumbing & Air Conditioning
Lists Houston 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 Houston 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.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Cypress
Lists Houston among the areas it serves. Based in Cypress.
- Tank
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A testimonial on the franchise's page praised a professional, quick water heater replacement.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of League City
Lists Houston among the areas it serves. Based in League City.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$250 Off Water Heaters' — 'Offers only valid at this location'; limit one per household; no expiration shown.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Testimonials praised a skilled attic replacement of a 50-gallon heater and careful work on a tankless installation.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Brick Plumbing
Lists Houston 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 replacements, itemized quotes, clean work, and a 6-year parts-and-labor warranty.
Worth knowing A 2024 Yelp reviewer said a water heater quote appointment was a no-call no-show; the owner apologized publicly.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Heaton Plumbing
Lists Houston 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.
Also listing Houston: Mission Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Galveston & Brazoria Counties, Planet Houston Plumbing.
Order: companies based in Houston 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 HOUSTON
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN HOUSTON
What Houston homes are like.
1982Median year built
47%Built before 1980
42%Owner-occupied
34%Heat with utility gas
48%Single-family homes
About 47% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
64% 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 42% 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.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Houston homes.
Energy
- Electric: CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer (Power to Choose shows only CenterPoint delivering power for downtown ZIP 77002, the one we checked)
- Gas: CenterPoint Energy (gas)
Texas PUC Power to Choose plan data for ZIP 77002 (company_tdu_name field) ↗ · CenterPoint Energy - Texas Geographic Rate Areas by City (natural gas) ↗
Water
Houston Water (City of Houston Public Works), Main System TX1010013: Total hardness as CaCO3 43.5–229 ppm, average 135.5 ppm (about 8 gpg), Main System, sampled 2025 (Houston Water Quality Report 2025)
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Houston homes.
For CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer and CenterPoint Energy (gas) customers in Houston. 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 Houston.
Permits and who issues them
Houston lists 'Water Heater' as its own plumbing permit and says you need a plumbing permit to replace or install a water heater. A single-family home needs no plan review, but it does need an inspection. The permit is good for 180 days, and processing takes about one business day.
Yes. The master plumber's state license must be registered with the City of Houston and in good standing to pull permits and book inspections.
City of Houston, Houston Public Works (Houston Permitting Center), Plumbing Inspections Section ↗ · Houston Permitting Center: Water Heater permit (HPWCODE1101) ↗
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 Houston.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West University Place | 5 mi | Required | $100 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Bellaire | 7 mi | Required | $44 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Aldine | 9 mi | Check with city (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Galena Park | 10 mi | Required | $35 | 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 |
| South Houston | 13 mi | Required | $25 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Houston water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Houston?
Yes. Houston says replacing or installing a water heater needs a plumbing permit and an inspection.
How much does the Houston water heater permit cost?
The city lists $34.24 for the first three heaters plus a $33.56 administrative fee, with a $97.56 minimum. So replacing one heater costs at least $97.56.
How hard is Houston's water?
Houston's 2025 report shows Main System hardness of 43.5–229 ppm, averaging 135.5 ppm (about 8 grains per gallon). It depends on which plant serves your area.
More guides: Texas water heater replacement · All local guides