How long does a water heater last in Minnesota?

Ten to twelve years is typical for a tank unit. In hard-water areas like Maple Grove, unsoftened water can shorten that meaningfully because of scale buildup on the tank bottom and elements.

Is tankless worth it here?

Sometimes. Tankless costs more up front and hard water is harder on it, so it needs regular descaling. It makes the most sense in households that run out of hot water regularly or have no good place for a tank.

Does a water heater replacement need a permit?

Yes, in Maple Grove and generally across the metro. The licensed contractor pulls it. The city states contractors should apply for their own permits.

Costs

How much does it cost to replace a water heater in Minnesota?

In the Twin Cities metro, a standard tank water heater typically runs $900 to $1,500 installed, and a tankless unit runs $1,800 to $3,500. Labor generally falls between $150 and $400, the permit between $50 and $150, and old-unit disposal between $25 and $75.

What the metro ranges look like

Standard tank, installed: $900 – $1,500
Tankless, installed: $1,800 – $3,500
Labor portion: $150 – $400
Permit: $50 – $150
Haul-away and disposal: $25 – $75

These are Twin Cities metro ranges from public sources, not our prices. What your job costs depends on your house — and you'll have our number before we start.

What moves the number up or down?

Access is the biggest one. A heater in an open utility room next to a floor drain is a different job than one wedged behind a finished wall at the back of a basement with a stairway turn that will not clear a 50-gallon tank.

After that: gas versus electric, tank size, whether the existing venting can be reused, whether the gas line is sized for the new unit, whether an expansion tank is required, and whether the shutoffs and connections at the top of the tank are serviceable or need to be rebuilt.

Are there rebates in Minnesota?

Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy both run efficiency rebate programs that can apply to water heater replacements. We are not going to quote amounts here because they change and they depend on the equipment. Check the current program pages, or ask us and we will tell you what the unit you are considering qualifies for.

Does hard water shorten the life of a water heater here?

Yes, and it is one of the more expensive quiet costs of living in this part of the metro. Maple Grove water runs 19 to 22 grains per gallon per the City's water quality report. That mineral load bakes onto the bottom of a tank and onto electric elements, which means the burner or element works harder to move heat through a layer of scale.

If you are replacing a heater that did not last as long as it should have, the softener conversation is the one worth having at the same time.

Keep reading

If you'd rather just ask a plumber, call (763) 342-0801.