Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN THE WOODLANDS
The Woodlands Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓THE WOODLANDS AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in The Woodlands.
You don't need a local permit to replace a water heater in The Woodlands. There's no city building department, and Montgomery County treats it as unincorporated: the county says inside work on a home with public water and sewer needs no permit, and it doesn't inspect homes outside the floodplain. State plumbing licensing still applies. CenterPoint delivers most power. Water comes from about ten municipal utility districts coordinated by The Woodlands Water Agency.
The Woodlands is an unincorporated community in Montgomery and Harris County, so county offices handle permits.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- No, for a qualifying same-type replacement
- Electric utility
- CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer and Entergy Texas
- Water
- Municipal utility districts coordinated by The Woodlands Water Agency (for example The Woodlands MUD 1 and Montgomery County MUDs 6, 7, 36, 39, 46, 47, 60, 67 and Metro Center MUD)
- Rebate worth checking
- Heat Pump Water Heater Incentive (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 2000 (median) · 73% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 8 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 The Woodlands averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in The Woodlands
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised price5 of the companies listed for The Woodlands post water heater prices or specials on their websites: ARS/Rescue Rooter Houston, Daniels Plumbing, John Moore Services, Mission Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Nick's Plumbing & Air Conditioning. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no The Woodlands average is shown.
What can change the price in The Woodlands?
Montgomery County requires a permit for work in the floodplain (contact Floodplain Administration) and for any change to a septic system. Buildings in or within 100 feet of the flood zone must sit at least 2 feet above the base flood level.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in The Woodlands?
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 The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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.
Daniels Plumbing
Lists The Woodlands among the areas it serves. Based in Tomball.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: 'Get $100 off any new water heater installation.'
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day attic replacement, punctual technicians, and a replacement price $1,000 below another quote.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer disputed a $689 unitemized flat-rate charge after he declined a roughly $3,200 replacement; another said she was quoted $1,300 to install a part she would buy herself.
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 The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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.
Order: companies based in The Woodlands 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 THE WOODLANDS
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN THE WOODLANDS
What The Woodlands homes are like.
2000Median year built
8%Built before 1980
73%Owner-occupied
67%Heat with utility gas
79%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 2000. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
67% 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.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies The Woodlands homes.
Energy
- Electric: CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer (Power to Choose shows only CenterPoint for ZIPs 77380, 77381 and 77382, the ones we checked)
- Electric: Entergy Texas (The Township says Entergy serves parts of The Woodlands, where you can't choose your electricity company; check which serves your address.)
Texas PUC Power to Choose plan data for ZIP 77380 (company_tdu_name field) ↗ · Texas PUC Power to Choose plan data for ZIP 77381 (company_tdu_name field) ↗ · The Woodlands Township - Utilities ↗
Water
Municipal utility districts coordinated by The Woodlands Water Agency (for example The Woodlands MUD 1 and Montgomery County MUDs 6, 7, 36, 39, 46, 47, 60, 67 and Metro Center MUD)
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for The Woodlands homes.
For CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer and Entergy Texas customers in The Woodlands. 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 The Woodlands.
Permits and who issues them
Montgomery County's permit FAQ says The Woodlands Township is an exception to the rule that the city on your appraisal record has authority, so The Woodlands follows the rules for unincorporated county areas. The county says inside remodeling on a house with public water and sewer needs no permit, and it doesn't do final inspections on homes outside the floodplain. So no local permit or inspection applies to a same-type water heater swap.
No city building department. The Woodlands is treated as unincorporated Montgomery County, whose Permit Department issues development, floodplain and septic permits only ↗ · Montgomery County Permitting FAQ ↗ · Montgomery County Residential Permitting ↗ · Texas Occupations Code §1301.051 (homestead exemption) ↗ · Texas Occupations Code §1301.052 (limits of rural exemptions) ↗
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 The Woodlands.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomball | 8 mi | Required | $45 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Spring | 11 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Conroe | 11 mi | Required | $75 | Entergy Texas, CenterPoint Energy |
| Humble | 19 mi | Required | $50 | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
| Aldine | 20 mi | Check with city (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider chosen by the customer |
| Atascocita | 23 mi | Not required (conditions apply) (county) | — | CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (wires) with a retail electric provider |
COMMON QUESTIONS
The Woodlands water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in The Woodlands?
Not from a local government. Montgomery County, which covers The Woodlands, says inside remodeling on a house with public water and sewer needs no permit. Floodplain properties and septic changes are exceptions.
Does my plumber still need a license?
Yes. Texas exemptions for rural plumbing don't cover repairs or remodeling, so a licensed plumber should do it unless you're working on your own homestead.
Texas Occupations Code §1301.051 (homestead exemption) ↗ · Texas Occupations Code §1301.052 (limits of rural exemptions) ↗
Who supplies my water?
One of the municipal utility districts coordinated by The Woodlands Water Agency, which posts a separate water quality report for each district.
More guides: Texas water heater replacement · All local guides