Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN TUKWILA
Tukwila Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓TUKWILA AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Tukwila.
Tukwila issues its own plumbing and electrical permits. A plumbing permit costs $37.81 to issue plus $17.10 for each water heater, plus a 5% technology fee. Homeowners need an owner-occupant affidavit to do the work themselves. Seattle City Light and PSE split the electric service, PSE supplies gas, and water comes from the city or one of several districts.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Tukwila Permit Center (Department of Community Development)
- Permit fee
- 2025 fee schedule (Resolution 2105, effective Jan 1, 2025; the city posts it as the 2025–2026 schedule): $37.81 to issue a plumbing permit plus $17.10 for each water heater and/or vent, plus a 5% technology fee. About $57.66.
- Who gets the permit
- The plumbing/gas piping handout requires a valid L&I contractor license or an Owner Affidavit. Owners can use the affidavit only if they'll live in the home and it isn't being fixed up to sell, rent or lease.
- Electric utility
- Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy
- Gas utility
- Puget Sound Energy
- Water
- City of Tukwila (buys all its water from Cascade Water Alliance) for much of the city; other areas are served by Seattle, Renton, King County Water Districts #20 and #125, and Highline Water District · No Tukwila-specific figure found. Cascade Water Alliance water comes from Seattle's Cedar and Tolt supplies, which SPU measured at about 1.5–1.7 gpg (soft) in May 2026.
- Rebate worth checking
- Seattle City Light heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1981 (median) · 40% 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 Tukwila averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Tukwila
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee2025 fee schedule (Resolution 2105, effective Jan 1, 2025; the city posts it as the 2025–2026 schedule): $37.81 to issue a plumbing permit plus $17.10 for each water heater and/or vent, plus a 5% technology fee. About $57.66.. City of Tukwila Permit Center (Department of Community Development) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for Tukwila post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Bee's Plumbing & Heating, Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Tukwila average is shown.
What can change the price in Tukwila?
If an appliance has both plumbing and gas connections and you combine the gas piping permit with the plumbing permit, the gas permit's issuance fee is waived ($0). Gas piping for 1–5 outlets is $75.64. The city issues electrical permits (Tukwila is on L&I's list of cities that do).
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Tukwila?
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 →
Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Electric
Lists Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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.
Hunt's Services
Lists Tukwila among the areas it serves. Based in Milton.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day emergency water heater replacements and a technician who also corrected code issues at a reasonable price.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers said a tankless flush ended in a paid replacement without the promised phone controller (Hunt's said a controller is typically an optional upgrade) and that a $10,000 boiler hot water tank replacement left them without hot water.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Puget Sound Plumbing & Heating
Lists Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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.
Order: companies based in Tukwila 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 TUKWILA
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN TUKWILA
What Tukwila homes are like.
1981Median year built
48%Built before 1980
40%Owner-occupied
22%Heat with utility gas
39%Single-family homes
About 48% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
71% 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 40% 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.
LOCAL CONDITIONS
What’s different in Tukwila.
New permit system in October 2026
Tukwila's Permit Center stopped taking new applications in its old system on September 22, 2026. It's closed to the public September 28 – October 5 (inspections continue if you email a request by noon the day before) and reopens with the new SmartGov system on October 6, 2026.
Two electric companies
Seattle City Light and PSE split Tukwila's electric service, so the rebates for an electric or heat pump water heater depend on your address.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Tukwila homes.
Energy
- Electric: Seattle City Light (About 5,700 homes and 1,000 businesses in Tukwila)
- Electric: Puget Sound Energy (About 3,800 electric customers in Tukwila)
- Gas: Puget Sound Energy (Serves nearly all of Tukwila)
Water
City of Tukwila (buys all its water from Cascade Water Alliance) for much of the city; other areas are served by Seattle, Renton, King County Water Districts #20 and #125, and Highline Water District: No Tukwila-specific figure found. Cascade Water Alliance water comes from Seattle's Cedar and Tolt supplies, which SPU measured at about 1.5–1.7 gpg (soft) in May 2026.
Tukwila Comprehensive Plan – Utilities element ↗ · SPU Quarterly Surface Water Analysis, May 20, 2026 ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Tukwila homes.
For Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy customers in Tukwila. 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 Tukwila.
Permits and who issues them
Tukwila requires permits for plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, and its plumbing fee schedule has a fee 'for each water heater and/or vent.' Apply on the city's construction permit portal. The city handles its own electrical permits and inspections.
The plumbing/gas piping handout asks for a current City of Tukwila business license as well as the L&I contractor license.
City of Tukwila Permit Center (Department of Community Development) ↗ · City of Tukwila – Construction permits ↗ · City of Tukwila Building Permit Fees (effective Jan 1, 2025, posted as 2025–2026) ↗ · City of Tukwila – Plumbing and/or gas piping handout (rev. 01.2025) ↗ · 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 Tukwila.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeaTac | 3 mi | Required | $110 | Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy |
| Burien | 3 mi | Required | $98 | Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy |
| Renton | 4 mi | Required | $69 | Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light |
| Des Moines | 6 mi | Required | $67.10 | Puget Sound Energy |
| Newcastle | 6 mi | Required | $80 | Puget Sound Energy |
| Mercer Island | 6 mi | Required | $120 | Puget Sound Energy |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Tukwila water heater questions.
How much is a water heater permit in Tukwila?
About $57.66: $37.81 to issue plus $17.10 for each water heater, plus a 5% technology fee (2025–26 schedule).
Can a homeowner pull the permit?
Yes, with an Owner Affidavit, but only if you'll live in the home and it isn't being readied to sell, rent or lease.
Who supplies my electricity?
Seattle City Light or PSE, depending on where in Tukwila you live.
More guides: Washington water heater replacement · All local guides