Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN TACOMA
Tacoma Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓TACOMA AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Tacoma.
Yes, you need a permit in Tacoma, from Planning and Development Services. It costs 2.81% of the job's value, with a $180 minimum, plus a 5% technology fee (2025 schedule). Tacoma Power supplies electricity and issues electrical permits. Puget Sound Energy supplies gas, and Tacoma Water calls its water soft.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services (plumbing/mechanical); Tacoma Power Electrical Inspections (electrical)
- Permit fee
- 2.81% of the job's value, $180 minimum, for single-family plumbing permits including water heaters, plus a 5% technology fee (PDS fee schedule effective January 1, 2025). The City adjusts fees for inflation (CPI) each January, and we didn't find a 2026 schedule.
- Who gets the permit
- The City pages we checked don't spell out rules for homeowners. Washington law requires paid plumbing work to be done by an L&I-registered contractor using certified plumbers.
- Electric utility
- Tacoma Power
- Gas utility
- Puget Sound Energy
- Water
- Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities) · Soft: Tacoma Water says its water is softer than hard water and needs less soap; no hardness figure is given for the main Tacoma system in the 2025 report
- Rebate worth checking
- Tacoma Power hybrid water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1967 (median) · 56% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 12 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 Tacoma averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Tacoma
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee2.81% of the job's value, $180 minimum, for single-family plumbing permits including water heaters, plus a 5% technology fee (PDS fee schedule effective January 1, 2025). The City adjusts fees for inflation (CPI) each January, and we didn't find a 2026 schedule.. City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services (plumbing/mechanical); Tacoma Power Electrical Inspections (electrical) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for Tacoma post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians, Bee's Plumbing & Heating. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Tacoma average is shown.
What can change the price in Tacoma?
Gas piping needs a separate residential mechanical permit (same 2.81% / $180 minimum table). Any electrical work, like a new circuit for a heat pump or electric tankless unit, needs a Tacoma Power electrical permit.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Tacoma?
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 →
Bob Larson Plumbing
Lists Tacoma among the areas it serves. Based in Tacoma.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Customers praised same-day water heater service, knowledgeable technicians and a clean tankless installation.
Worth knowing A reviewer on BBB and Yelp said elderly parents were charged $7,779.14 for a gas tank without an itemized invoice (the company said three estimates were presented, including a $4,025.85 basic option), and a BBB complainant's warrantied tankless heater kept shutting off until the complaint was marked resolved with the company fixing it.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians
Lists Tacoma 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.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Tacoma
Lists Tacoma among the areas it serves. Based in Tacoma.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A customer praised next-day service with a new hot water heater installed by 11am.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Electric
Lists Tacoma among the areas it serves. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised quick response, same-day or next-day water heater replacement, and a technician willing to repair an 11-year-old tankless unit.
Worth knowing BBB complainants disputed a water heater replacement price paid under emergency conditions and a $2,000 deposit largely kept after a verbally cancelled water heater job (Beacon said its contract terms, including written cancellation, were clearly stated), and a Yelp reviewer called $5,700 for a 50-gallon gas tank double what he expected.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Bee's Plumbing & Heating
Lists Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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.
Fast Water Heater Co. (Washington)
Lists Tacoma 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.
Puget Sound Plumbing & Heating
Lists Tacoma 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.
Washington Energy Services
Lists Tacoma among the areas it serves. Based in Lynnwood.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised fast replacements, knowledgeable installers who explained options, and a recommendation to downsize that saved money.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant said a water heater was not installed to code and high water pressure caused a leak (the company said its records show a permitted, inspected install and the customer disputed which heater was involved), and Yelp reviewers objected to a pilot relight and an unproductive warranty visit.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Convenient Water Heaters & Plumbing
Lists Tacoma among the areas it serves. Based in Graham.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Also listing Tacoma: Home Comfort Alliance, Rainier View Plumbing & Rooter.
Order: companies based in Tacoma 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 TACOMA
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN TACOMA
What Tacoma homes are like.
1967Median year built
64%Built before 1980
56%Owner-occupied
33%Heat with utility gas
64%Single-family homes
About 64% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
63% 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 Tacoma.
Tacoma Power, not L&I, permits electrical work
In Tacoma Power's inspection area, Tacoma Power issues electrical permits and inspects. So a heat pump or electric tankless swap that needs a new circuit takes two permits: a plumbing permit from PDS and an electrical permit from Tacoma Power.
Unpermitted work costs double
If you do the work without a permit, Tacoma charges double the permit and plan review fees.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Tacoma homes.
Energy
- Electric: Tacoma Power (City-owned utility that also issues electrical permits where it serves)
- Gas: Puget Sound Energy
Tacoma Permits: other agencies that issue permits ↗ · Tacoma Power Electrical Permitting ↗
Water
Tacoma Water (Tacoma Public Utilities): Soft: Tacoma Water says its water is softer than hard water and needs less soap; no hardness figure is given for the main Tacoma system in the 2025 report
Tacoma Water: Water Quality Concerns ↗ · Tacoma Water 2025 Water Quality Report (PDF) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Tacoma homes.
For Tacoma Power and Puget Sound Energy customers in Tacoma. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Tacoma Power hybrid water heater rebate ↗Active$500 rebate when a Tacoma Power customer replaces a standard electric water heater with a BPA Tier 3 or 4 hybrid (heat pump) model, contractor or self-installed.
- 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 Tacoma.
Permits and who issues them
Tacoma's residential Plumbing permit (PLMBR) covers moving, removing or newly installing a water heater, and the single-family fee table lists water heater 'installation, repair, alteration or replacement'. Apply through the Tacoma Permits (Accela) portal. Water heaters aren't on the current list of instant ePermits. Tacoma Power, not L&I, issues electrical permits separately.
City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services (plumbing/mechanical); Tacoma Power Electrical Inspections (electrical) ↗ · Tacoma Permits: Types of Permits ↗ · Tacoma Permits: Getting an ePermit ↗ · PDS Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2025 (PDF) ↗ · Tacoma Power Electrical Permitting & 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 Tacoma.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Place | 5 mi | Required | $32.40 | Tacoma Power |
| Lakewood | 7 mi | Required | $34 | Lakeview Light & Power, Tacoma Power, Puget Sound Energy |
| Federal Way | 7 mi | Required | — | Puget Sound Energy |
| Parkland | 8 mi | Required (county) | $58 | Parkland Light & Water Company, Tacoma Power |
| Gig Harbor | 9 mi | Required | $34 | Peninsula Light Company |
| Puyallup | 9 mi | Required | $40 | Puget Sound Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Tacoma water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Tacoma?
Yes. The City's residential plumbing permit covers replacing a water heater. Apply on the Tacoma Permits portal.
How much is a Tacoma water heater permit?
Under the January 2025 schedule: 2.81% of the job's value, at least $180, plus a 5% technology fee. Fees change every January, so check the portal for today's amount.
Who issues electrical permits for a heat pump water heater in Tacoma?
Tacoma Power's Electrical Inspections office. Apply through the Accela portal.
More guides: Washington water heater replacement · All local guides