Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN RICHMOND
Richmond Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓RICHMOND AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Richmond.
Richmond's Building Department handles permits through its MGO portal, but we couldn't confirm the water heater fee online. CenterPoint delivers power. Richmond, the old Fort Bend County seat on the Brazos River, treats part of its own water from the river: the city says about 30% runs through its Surface Water Plant, and the rest comes from Gulf Coast Aquifer wells. Its homes are older and more varied than the new planned suburbs nearby, with about 14% manufactured homes and about two-thirds of households heating with electricity.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Check with the city · City of Richmond Building Department
- Electric utility
- CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer
- Water
- City of Richmond Water Utilities (Main System PWS 0790023; also Riverpark West and other small systems)
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Incentive (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1984 (median) · 54% 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 Richmond averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Richmond
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised price5 of the companies listed for Richmond post water heater prices or specials on their websites: 1-800-Plumber +Air of Pearland, ARS/Rescue Rooter Houston, John Moore Services, Planet Houston Plumbing, Village Plumbing, Air & Electric. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Richmond average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Richmond?
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 →
1-800-Plumber +Air of Pearland
Lists Richmond among the areas it serves. Based in Pearland.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Promotion: '$100 Off Any New Water Heater' (not to be combined with any other offer).
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised quick scheduling, honest diagnosis (a valve repair or pilot restart instead of a replacement), and a tankless install that included follow-up for a condensation drip.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
Lists Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond 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.
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 Richmond 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.
Planet Houston Plumbing
Lists Richmond among the areas it serves. Based in Katy.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupon: '$100 OFF Water Heater Installation'; also 10% off for veterans and seniors.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised an affordable thermocouple repair, a tankless attic repair, and a replacement where the company found remaining warranty coverage.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (Houston)
Lists Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond 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 RICHMOND
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN RICHMOND
What Richmond homes are like.
1984Median year built
47%Built before 1980
54%Owner-occupied
33%Heat with utility gas
49%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.
66% 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 Richmond.
Brazos River plus Gulf Coast Aquifer
Richmond's water quality report says its water comes from Gulf Coast Aquifer wells and the Brazos River. The city built a Surface Water Plant to meet the Fort Bend Subsidence District's rule to pump less groundwater, and says about 30% of its water is treated there from the Brazos. A monthly groundwater (surface water) fee on bills pays for it. The city reports separately for its Main System and smaller systems such as Riverpark West.
City of Richmond – 2022 Water Quality Report (archived) ↗ · City of Richmond – Groundwater Fee (Surface Water) (archived) ↗
Older, mostly electric homes
Census estimates for 2020–2024 put the typical Richmond home at 1984, and only about 47% are detached single-family houses. About 66% of households heat with electricity and 33% with gas, so electric tank replacements are common.
U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year, table B25035 (via Census Reporter) ↗ · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year, table B25024 (via Census Reporter) ↗ · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year, table B25040 (via Census Reporter) ↗
Manufactured homes
The same Census estimates show about 14% of Richmond homes are mobile homes. A replacement heater in a manufactured home must meet HUD rules: sealed combustion for gas units and a drain pan under the tank.
U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year, table B25024 (via Census Reporter) ↗ · 24 CFR 3280.709 – Installation of appliances (eCFR) ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Richmond homes.
Energy
- Electric: CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer (Power to Choose shows only CenterPoint for ZIP 77469, the one we checked)
Texas PUC Power to Choose plan data for ZIP 77469 (company_tdu_name field) ↗
Water
City of Richmond Water Utilities (Main System PWS 0790023; also Riverpark West and other small systems)
City of Richmond – 2022 Water Quality Report (archived) ↗ · City of Richmond – Groundwater Fee (Surface Water) (archived) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Richmond homes.
For CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer customers in Richmond. 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 Richmond.
Permits and who issues them
Richmond's Building Department moved permit and license applications to the My Government Online (MGO) portal on October 14, 2024, and adopted a new permit fee schedule on October 1, 2022. We got this from search result snippets because the city's website blocked direct reading.
The Building Department issues business licenses (it has a License Applications and Forms section), but we didn't confirm whether plumbers have to register.
City of Richmond Building Department ↗ · Richmond Building Department ↗ · Richmond Online Permit and License Application ↗
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 Richmond.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pecan Grove | 3 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Rosenberg | 4 mi | Required | $20 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Sugar Land | 8 mi | Required | $53 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Four Corners | 9 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Mission Bend | 10 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Fulshear | 11 mi | Check with city | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Richmond water heater questions.
Where does Richmond's water come from?
It's a mix: about 30% Brazos River water treated at the city's Surface Water Plant, and Gulf Coast Aquifer well water for the rest.
City of Richmond – Groundwater Fee (Surface Water) (archived) ↗ · City of Richmond – 2022 Water Quality Report (archived) ↗
Where do I apply for a permit in Richmond?
The City of Richmond Building Department, through its MGO portal. We couldn't confirm the fee online, so ask the city.
More guides: Texas water heater replacement · All local guides