Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN SHORELINE
Shoreline Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓SHORELINE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Shoreline.
Yes, Shoreline requires a residential mechanical/plumbing permit to replace a tank or tankless water heater. It's a flat $267 in 2026, applied for online, and usually issued within 24–48 hours. Seattle City Light supplies electricity and PSE supplies gas. Water comes from SPU or North City Water District, depending on which side of I-5 you live on.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Shoreline Planning & Community Development
- Permit fee
- $267.00 flat for a residential plumbing or mechanical permit (covers up to 4 fixtures or pieces of equipment, then $12 each), under the 2026 adopted fee schedule.
- Who gets the permit
- eTRAKiT contractor accounts are for contractors licensed by L&I. Everyone else, homeowners included, uses a public account. State law lets owners do their own plumbing on property they own.
- Electric utility
- Seattle City Light
- Gas utility
- Puget Sound Energy
- Water
- Seattle Public Utilities (generally west of I-5) or North City Water District (generally east of I-5; buys Tolt and Cedar water from SPU) · Soft. Neither provider's page gives a figure. SPU's May 2026 analysis shows about 1.5 gpg (roughly 24–26 mg/L calcium hardness) for both Cedar and Tolt water in distribution.
- Rebate worth checking
- Seattle City Light heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1969 (median) · 66% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 11 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 Shoreline averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Shoreline
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$267.00 flat for a residential plumbing or mechanical permit (covers up to 4 fixtures or pieces of equipment, then $12 each), under the 2026 adopted fee schedule.. City of Shoreline Planning & Community Development fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price3 of the companies listed for Shoreline post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Bee's Plumbing & Heating, CM Heating, Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Shoreline average is shown.
What can change the price in Shoreline?
Shoreline's fee schedule says its electrical section isn't used right now, and Shoreline isn't on L&I's list of cities with their own electrical programs. So electrical permits come from L&I. A stand-alone gas piping permit is also $267 (up to 4 outlets).
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Shoreline?
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 →
Bee's Plumbing & Heating
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$500-$800 OFF Water Heater Installation' ($500 off tank, $800 off tankless; not valid on dispatch fee; expires 9/30/2026). No base installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day response, clear explanation of options and quick tank and tankless installs.
Worth knowing Reviewers on BBB and Yelp said water heater prices were far above other quotes or not itemized (the company said on BBB it later sent an itemized invoice and wanted to make it right).
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water heater-specific praise was found in the sources checked.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant said a gas tank was installed facing the wrong way, blocking access to controls (Brennan apologized and scheduled a return visit to rotate it), and Yelp reviewers described a delayed Costco-sourced install and a later diagnosis they disputed.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
CM Heating
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Everett.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Water heater replacement 'Starting at $2,349' or as low as $29.99/month with price match guarantee; tankless '$49.99/mo. Installed'. Deals page: gas or electric water heater 'starting at just $44.99/month installed' with lifetime repairs and maintenance (50-gal electric / 40-gal gas standard units, Comfort as a Service program); up to $200 off tankless or standard installation. Diagnostic fee $89.95 (waived with approved repair). ;
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a same-day water heater replacement and professional, friendly installation crews.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer said CM told him it no longer works on tankless water heaters after selling him one, and another said a service call yielded a replacement quote instead of an inspection, which the company refunded after he complained.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Danika Plumbing & Electric
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Everett.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Republished reviews praised same-day replacement, quotes that matched the final bill, and technicians who explained why tanks failed.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked; accounts come from a company-curated page.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Fast Water Heater Co. (Washington)
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Woodinville.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised punctual, communicative technicians, quick scheduling and a competitively priced replacement.
Worth knowing BBB complainants and a Yelp reviewer said code items were sold as add-ons after a basic quote and that installs failed inspection or permits lingered; the company says it walks customers through a signed code checklist, and in several cases refunded charges or did the code work free.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Goldstar Plumbing
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Testimonials praised heat pump water heater installs with clear options, permit and inspection handling, cleanup and haul-away.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Green Planet Plumbing & Sewer
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A customer praised a next-day estimate, quick scheduling and pleasant technicians for a hot water tank replacement.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Tacoma.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Promos (no base price): $100 off a standard water heater (or $39/month financing); $250 off a tankless water heater (or $199/month financing); 5% Heroes Discount up to $200.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised technicians who flushed water heaters and explained maintenance clearly.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers and complainants said technicians recommended whole-house repipes or new tanks for water heater problems that other plumbers fixed cheaply (Harts denied any fraudulent practice and offered manager follow-up), and one disputed $2,500 for a tankless flush and diagnosis that did not fix the issue.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Puget Sound Plumbing & Heating
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Burien.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised fast response to a leaking water heater, fair pricing and dispatch updates on arrival times.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Home Comfort Alliance
Lists Shoreline among the areas it serves. Based in Sumner.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Also listing Shoreline: North Sound Plumbing.
Order: companies based in Shoreline 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. L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING SHORELINE
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN SHORELINE
What Shoreline homes are like.
1969Median year built
65%Built before 1980
66%Owner-occupied
44%Heat with utility gas
69%Single-family homes
About 65% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
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 Shoreline.
Seattle City Light, outside Seattle
Shoreline homes get electricity from Seattle City Light and gas from PSE. Electric water heater rebates come from City Light, and gas water heater programs from PSE.
No paperwork for a simple swap
Residential mechanical and plumbing permits need no documents, just the online application and payment. For bigger projects that move walls, you can go over plans with a plans examiner first.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Shoreline homes.
Energy
- Electric: Seattle City Light (Serves all of Shoreline)
- Gas: Puget Sound Energy (Serves all of Shoreline)
Water
Seattle Public Utilities (generally west of I-5) or North City Water District (generally east of I-5; buys Tolt and Cedar water from SPU): Soft. Neither provider's page gives a figure. SPU's May 2026 analysis shows about 1.5 gpg (roughly 24–26 mg/L calcium hardness) for both Cedar and Tolt water in distribution.
City of Shoreline – Utilities ↗ · North City Water District – Annual Water Quality Report 2025 ↗ · SPU Quarterly Surface Water Analysis, May 20, 2026 ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Shoreline homes.
For Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy customers in Shoreline. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Seattle City Light heat pump water heater rebate ↗Active$750 for an ENERGY STAR Tier 3 or 4 heat pump water heater: passed through participating distributors for contractor installs, or as a $750 instant coupon at Home Depot or Lowe's or a $750 mail-in rebate for DIY.
- PSE heat pump water heater rebate ↗Active$1,000 back on a qualifying Tier 3 or Tier 4 heat pump water heater installed on or after January 1, 2026.
- Washington HEAR (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates) ↗ActiveState-run program covering heat pump water heaters, heat pumps, induction cooking and electrical upgrades for households at or below 150% of Area Median Income.
- IRA Home Energy Rebates (HARP appliance rebates and HOMES) ↗Not launchedThe federally funded appliance (HARP) and whole-house (HOMES) rebates for households up to 150% AMI had not launched statewide.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Washington rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Shoreline.
Permits and who issues them
Shoreline lists 'Replacing a water heater (tank or tankless)' as work that needs a residential mechanical/plumbing permit. Apply and pay online in eTRAKiT under 'Mechanical or Plumbing Online'. No documents are needed. A permit technician processes it in 24–48 hours, and you can start once it's issued.
Only contractors licensed through L&I can have professional eTRAKiT accounts. We didn't confirm whether a city business license is required.
City of Shoreline Planning & Community Development ↗ · City of Shoreline – Residential mechanical and/or plumbing ↗ · City of Shoreline – Permit FAQ ↗ · Shoreline Fee Schedules (FEE.010, 2026 adopted) ↗ · Washington L&I – City electrical permits & inspections ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Washington licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Shoreline.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest Park | 3 mi | Required | $150 | Seattle City Light |
| Mountlake Terrace | 3 mi | Required | $218 | Snohomish County PUD |
| Edmonds | 4 mi | Required | $62 | Snohomish County PUD |
| Kenmore | 5 mi | Required | $165 | Puget Sound Energy |
| Alderwood Manor | 5 mi | Required (county) | $150 | Snohomish County PUD |
| Lynnwood | 5 mi | Required | $257 | Snohomish County PUD |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Shoreline water heater questions.
Does replacing a water heater need a permit in Shoreline?
Yes. The city's permit FAQ and its residential mechanical/plumbing page both list replacing a water heater as work that needs a permit.
How much is the permit?
$267 under the 2026 fee schedule. That covers up to four fixtures or pieces of equipment.
Who is my water provider?
Usually SPU west of I-5 and North City Water District east of I-5. Both deliver soft Cedar/Tolt water.
More guides: Washington water heater replacement · All local guides