Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN WASHOUGAL
Washougal Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓WASHOUGAL AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Washougal.
Yes, Washougal requires a city permit for a water heater, and electrical work goes to Washington L&I. The fee in city code, last set in 2008, is $25.40 to issue a plumbing permit plus $8.89 for each water heater. City water is soft, about 36 ppm hardness.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · City of Washougal Community Development – Building
- Permit fee
- Washougal Municipal Code 3.97.020 (Ord. 1604, 2008): $25.40 to issue a plumbing permit plus $8.89 for each water heater and/or vent (about $34.29). A mechanical permit is $23.50 to issue. These amounts are from 2008, and the city may charge more now.
- Who gets the permit
- The city pages we looked at don't say. In Washington, owners can do plumbing on their own property; anyone else needs an L&I plumber certificate.
- Electric utility
- Clark Public Utilities
- Gas utility
- NW Natural
- Water
- City of Washougal Water · Soft: 36 ppm average (range 24–36 ppm, about 2 grains per gallon), from 2021 sampling shown in the city's water quality report for 2023, the latest report found.
- Rebate worth checking
- Clark Public Utilities heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1999 (median) · 71% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 6 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 Washougal averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Washougal
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeWashougal Municipal Code 3.97.020 (Ord. 1604, 2008): $25.40 to issue a plumbing permit plus $8.89 for each water heater and/or vent (about $34.29). A mechanical permit is $23.50 to issue. These amounts are from 2008, and the city may charge more now.. City of Washougal Community Development – Building fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for Washougal post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver, WA, Rossco Plumbing. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Washougal average is shown.
What can change the price in Washougal?
The handout sends electrical circuits and service to Washington L&I. In the 2008 code table, gas piping is $6.35 for one to five outlets plus $1.27 for each extra outlet.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Washougal?
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 →
D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
Lists Washougal among the areas it serves. Based in Portland.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised same-day water heater replacements, clear explanations of options, and help diagnosing tankless parts under warranty.
Worth knowing One BBB reviewer said a technician left residue from water heater work across the basement floor without telling them and repeated cleanup requests went unanswered (the company apologized and said it would take the feedback into account).
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Fast Water Heater Co. (Oregon)
Lists Washougal among the areas it serves. Based in Troutdale (Oregon office; company HQ Woodinville, WA).
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Oregon reviewers praised same-day installs after a failure, punctual and kind installers, and prices and warranties they found reasonable.
Worth knowing A Portland reviewer said a $1,749 basic install rose to $3,000 with code items including a $500 leak detector the county said was not required, and another said the company wrongly claimed rebate eligibility, costing a $1,200 rebate.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
H2O Plumbing LLC
Lists Washougal among the areas it serves. Based in Vancouver, WA.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised quick heating element repairs and not being pushed toward a new water heater.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup (Portland)
Lists Washougal among the areas it serves. Based in Portland.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised quick, friendly water heater replacement and troubleshooting, including a small extra fix done free.
Worth knowing No Portland-specific water heater complaints were found in the sources checked; national BBB complaints about Roto-Rooter water heater work could not be tied to this location.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver, WA
Lists Washougal among the areas it serves. Based in Vancouver, WA.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$200 Off Water Heater Installation' (valid toward qualifying water heater installation; expires 01/31/2027). No base installed prices published.
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Rossco Plumbing
Lists Washougal among the areas it serves. Based in Battle Ground, WA.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons: '$100 off Water Heater Installation or Replacement', '$100 off Tankless Water Heater Installation or Replacement', '$50 off Water Heater Repair', '$50 off Tankless Water Heater Repair' (one-time per home; not valid on trip charge/diagnostic fee; no expiration listed). No base installed prices published.
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in Washougal 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 WASHOUGAL
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN WASHOUGAL
What Washougal homes are like.
1999Median year built
33%Built before 1980
71%Owner-occupied
45%Heat with utility gas
77%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1999. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
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 Washougal.
Water heaters need a permit here
Washougal's handout puts water heaters, furnaces and other mechanical equipment on the list of work that needs a permit. Electrical circuits and service go to L&I.
City of Washougal – Permits Required and Not Required (PDF) ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Washougal homes.
Energy
- Electric: Clark Public Utilities (Provides electricity across Clark County)
- Gas: NW Natural (Gas provider for Clark County, Washington)
Clark Public Utilities – Your customer-owned utility ↗ · Wikipedia – NW Natural ↗
Water
City of Washougal Water: Soft: 36 ppm average (range 24–36 ppm, about 2 grains per gallon), from 2021 sampling shown in the city's water quality report for 2023, the latest report found.
City of Washougal Annual Water Quality Report (2023 reporting year) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Washougal homes.
For Clark Public Utilities and NW Natural customers in Washougal. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Clark Public Utilities heat pump water heater rebate ↗Active$1,500 when a qualifying Tier 3 or 4 heat pump water heater (or split system) replaces an electric tank one-for-one in an existing home.
- Energy Trust gas tankless water heater incentive (SW Washington) ↗ActiveFor NW Natural customers in SW Washington: $400 for a qualified gas tankless water heater, with a CO monitor required on every floor that has a bedroom.
- 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 Washougal.
Permits and who issues them
Washougal's 'Permits Required and Not Required' handout lists water heaters as needing a permit. Water heaters show up on both the plumbing and mechanical application forms. Request an inspection by 5 p.m. the day before.
City of Washougal Community Development – Building ↗ · City of Washougal – Permits Required and Not Required (PDF) ↗ · City of Washougal – Plumbing Application List (PDF) ↗ · City of Washougal – Mechanical Application List (PDF) ↗ · Washougal Municipal Code Ch. 3.97 Building Fees (eCode360) ↗ · Washington L&I – About the plumber certification program ↗
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 Washougal.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camas | 4 mi | Check with city | $54 | Clark Public Utilities |
| Vancouver | 13 mi | Required | $67.80 | Clark Public Utilities |
| Battle Ground | 16 mi | Required | $76 | Clark Public Utilities |
| Salmon Creek | 18 mi | Required (county) | $66 | Clark Public Utilities |
| Ridgefield | 23 mi | Required | $75 | Clark Public Utilities |
| Graham | 100 mi | Required (county) | $86 | Tacoma Power, Puget Sound Energy, Ohop Mutual Light Company |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Washougal water heater questions.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Washougal?
Yes. The city's 'Permits Required and Not Required' handout says water heaters need one.
City of Washougal – Permits Required and Not Required (PDF) ↗
Is Washougal water hard?
No, it's soft. The city's report shows about 24–36 ppm hardness from 2021 sampling.
Is there a rebate for a heat pump water heater?
Yes. Clark Public Utilities pays $1,500 when a qualifying heat pump water heater replaces an electric tank one-for-one in an existing home.
More guides: Washington water heater replacement · All local guides