Water Heater Replacement Cost in Fort Collins and Loveland (2026)
2026 price ranges for tank, tankless and heat pump water heaters, and what changes the price in Northern Colorado.
- Honest repair-or-replace advice
- Written, itemized quotes
- Licensed and insured
A tank water heater replacement typically costs $882 to $1,825 nationally, averaging $1,346, according to Angi’s July 2026 cost guide; This Old House’s June 2026 guides put tankless installation at $1,200 to $3,500 and heat pump water heaters at $2,500 to $3,500. In Fort Collins and Loveland, venting, gas line size, code items, altitude setup and the permit move the price, and Fort Collins Water Heater Pros lists each of them on a written, itemized quote before work starts.
Each figure below names its source; none is our price. We gathered them on November 5, 2026.
Call (970) 305-5633 for a written, itemized water heater replacement quote.
Call nowHow much does it cost to replace a water heater in 2026?
A standard tank replacement typically runs $882 to $1,825, based on Angi’s July 2026 guide; HomeAdvisor’s guide, updated June 2026, says most homeowners pay $882 to $1,826, within a full span of $350 to $12,000. Tank size and fuel set the starting point:
| Tank size or type | Cost (Angi, July 2026) |
|---|---|
| 30 gallons | $700 to $2,100 |
| 40 gallons | $800 to $2,300 |
| 50 gallons | $800 to $2,500 |
| 75 gallons | $1,100 to $4,000 |
| 80 gallons | $1,300 to $7,500 |
| Electric | $600 to $3,500 |
| Gas | $700 to $2,700 |
| Propane | $700 to $2,500 |
| High efficiency | $1,500 to $3,000 |
Angi puts the labor alone at $150 to $450, and HomeAdvisor says a standard tank swap takes 1 to 3 hours. Our gas vs electric water heater guide compares the fuels, and water heater installation lists the code items on a tank install.
Tankless water heater cost: gas, electric and add-ons
This Old House’s June 2026 tankless guide puts installation at $1,200 to $3,500, averaging $2,800 with equipment and labor. Switching from a tank can add gas line, venting or electrical work:
| Tankless item | Cost (This Old House, June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Natural gas unit, installed | $1,650 to $3,500 (unit $750 to $2,000; installation $900 to $1,500) |
| Propane unit, installed | $1,400 to $3,500 (unit $500 to $2,000) |
| Electric unit, installed | $650 to $2,500 (unit $500 to $1,500; installation $150 to $1,000) |
| Gas line upsizing, 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch | $400 to $800 |
| Venting through a wall or roof | $400 to $800 |
| New circuit for an electric unit | $200 to $600 |
| Full electrical panel upgrade | $1,000 to $2,000 |
The same guide notes that most electric tankless units need 120 to 160 amps of dedicated service and multiple 240-volt circuits. For sizing and venting, see tankless water heater installation.
Heat pump water heater cost
This Old House’s June 2026 installation guide puts heat pump water heaters at $2,500 to $3,500, and Angi’s July 2026 guide lists hybrid heat pump models at $1,200 to $3,500.
ENERGY STAR says these heaters should go in an interior space that stays between 40°F and 90°F year-round, with 1,000 cubic feet of air around them, so a roomy basement often suits one and a small closet may not. Many models need a 240-volt circuit, though ENERGY STAR also certifies 120-volt, 15-amp plug-in models. More on our heat pump water heater page.
Add-on costs: expansion tank, venting, haul-away and more
These line items separate a basic swap from a full, code-compliant replacement:
| Add-on | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Expansion tank, where code requires one | $90 to $350 to install | Angi, July 2026 |
| Power vent instead of atmospheric | $300 to $600 more, plus $300 to $500 for electrical work | Angi, July 2026 |
| Direct venting | $500 to $1,000 | This Old House, June 2026 |
| New chimney liner | $500 to $700 | This Old House, June 2026 |
| New gas line | $260 to $820 on average; upwards of $1,500 for an electric-to-gas switch | Angi, July 2026 |
| Electrical line and sub-panel for a gas-to-electric switch | $500 to $1,000 | Angi, July 2026 |
| Hauling away the old heater | $100 to $500 | Angi, July 2026 |
| After-hours or weekend installation | $200 to $500 extra | This Old House, June 2026 |
Not every home needs an expansion tank; see do I need a water heater expansion tank.
Water heater permit cost by town
Local building departments publish these water heater permit fees:
| Where the home is | Published water heater permit fee |
|---|---|
| Fort Collins | $65 per water heater, plus sales tax on the project valuation |
| Berthoud | $150, plus a $25 administration fee and a $25 technology fee |
| Longmont | $40, plus 4.865% sales tax on half the project valuation |
| Unincorporated Larimer County (LaPorte, Bellvue, Masonville, Livermore) | $66.42 for jobs valued up to $2,000, plus about $25.55 per additional $1,000 |
| Unincorporated Weld County | $115.41 for jobs valued up to $20,001 |
| Loveland, Greeley, Timnath, Wellington, Estes Park | Calculated from the job’s valuation |
| Windsor, Johnstown, Severance, Milliken | No published amount found |
Sources: the City of Fort Collins permit page, Berthoud’s and Longmont’s 2026 fee documents, Larimer County’s schedule effective July 1, 2026 and Weld County’s January 2026 schedule. The Colorado State Plumbing Board said in December 2025 that every replacement needs a permit and inspection; we pull the permit and schedule the inspection. Our water heater permit guide covers all 16 towns.
Water heater repair cost: common repairs
Angi’s repair guide, updated December 2025, gives a $606 average repair (its Denver range is $20 to $1,000), close to HomeAdvisor’s June 2026 average of $616:
| Repair | Angi (December 2025) | HomeAdvisor (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Thermocouple | About $150 or less | Around $150 |
| Gas control valve | About $350 on average | About $350 on average |
| Heating element (electric) | $200 to $300 | $200 to $300 |
| Thermostat (electric) | $150 to $200 | $150 to $200 |
| T&P relief valve | Up to $200 with a plumber visit | $20 to $200 |
| Anode rod | $20 to $50 part, plus about an hour at $50 to $150 | $50 to $150 with labor |
| Service call to relight a pilot | About $50 to $150 trip fee | $50 to $150 |
Angi’s December 2025 flush guide puts a tank flush at $75 to $150 and a tankless flush at $150 to $250. A tank leaking from the steel itself has no lasting repair. More on water heater repair and water heater maintenance.
Water heater prices published in Fort Collins and Loveland
Prices published online by Fort Collins and Loveland water heater companies, checked November 2026, vary widely: tank replacements run from $1,200 to $5,700 and tankless installs from $4,300 to $7,800. Power vent models sit far above standard atmospheric tanks.
| Job | Lowest published figure | Highest published figure | Companies publishing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40- or 50-gallon tank, excluding power vent | $1,700 | $2,300 | 2 |
| 40-gallon power vent tank | $4,700 | $5,700 | 1 |
| Tank replacement, size not stated | $1,200 | $5,700 | 2 |
| Condensing or whole-house tankless | $4,300 | $7,800 | 2 |
The company with the power vent listing prices the atmospheric version at $1,900, less than half its power vent price. These are other companies’ published prices, not ours, and we left out sites that do not do the work themselves.
Call (970) 305-5633 for a written quote you can compare line by line with any of these.
Call nowWhy water heater quotes differ: Northern Colorado cost drivers
These are the items that move local quotes:
Venting changes. Colorado’s fuel gas code requires new plastic exhaust pipe on a gas water heater to be pressure-tested (5 psi of air or a 10-foot water column) at inspection. Loveland also requires an exhaust test certification and the replacement of existing cellular-core pipe on direct-vent exhaust, and Windsor prohibits cellular-core PVC in water heater exhaust vents. A furnace upgrade can leave an atmospheric water heater alone in an oversized chimney, which may need a liner.
Code items. An expansion tank is required only where a pressure-reducing valve, check valve or backflow preventer lets heated water build pressure (IRC P2903.4), so we check for those devices first. Colorado requires a drain pan where a leak would cause damage but exempts replacements of heaters installed without one under earlier code, and it exempts replacements from its new relief valve discharge rule.
Gas line upsizing for tankless. Gas tankless burners have high inputs (one Rinnai model is rated at 199,000 Btu/h), so some older homes need a bigger gas line.
A 240-volt circuit for conversions. Moving from gas to an electric or heat pump tank usually means a new circuit, and Angi’s July 2026 guide says total wiring can run upward of $2,300.
Altitude setup. The fuel gas code’s pipe-sizing rule (IFGC 402.2) requires gas supply to be adjusted for altitude above 2,000 feet, and USGS puts Fort Collins at 5,004 feet. Heater setup follows each manual: that Rinnai model derates about 15%, to 170,000 Btu/h, in its 2,001 to 5,200 foot band, which covers Fort Collins and Loveland and can change the unit size a home needs. Navien’s NPE-2 natural gas units need a high-altitude kit from 5,400 feet, as in Estes Park and Livermore.
The 2026 low-NOx rule. Since January 1, 2026, HB23-1161 has restricted the sale of new gas water heaters above Colorado’s NOx limits: a new natural gas model must meet the limit for its size or be ENERGY STAR certified, unless it was in Colorado stock before 2026. SB26-002 exempts propane models until January 1, 2031, electric and heat pump models are outside the rule, and no working heater has to be replaced. We found no reliable figure for its price effect, so we give none. See the Colorado low NOx water heater law.
The AHRI 1430 port. Since January 1, 2026, new electric storage water heaters of 40 to 120 gallons sold in Colorado must have a modular demand response communications port meeting AHRI 1430.
What the price includes. Permit, haul-away, connectors, valves and the inspection visit may sit inside one price and appear as extras on another.
How we price your water heater replacement
- Call (970) 305-5633 with the fuel, tank size, age and location of your heater.
- We confirm what changes the price: venting, gas line, electrical, pressure devices and space.
- You get a written, itemized quote before any work starts.
- We pull the permit and schedule the inspection.
What a complete written water heater quote includes
- Heater make and model, size, first-hour rating and UEF
- Labor
- Permit and inspection
- Expansion tank, if your system requires one
- Drain pan, if required
- T&P discharge piping
- Gas shutoff, flexible connector and sediment trap
- Venting changes and any vent pressure test
- Altitude setup
- CO alarms, where required
- Haul-away of the old tank
- Any other code upgrades
Every job is done by licensed plumbers and covered by liability insurance.
Should you repair or replace your water heater?
Repair when the tank is sound and a part has failed; replace when the tank leaks, the heater is near the end of its life, or the repair costs a big share of a new one. The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2022 Energy Saver guide says most storage water heaters last 10 to 15 years.
As arithmetic on the figures above, a thermocouple at about $150 is roughly 11% of Angi’s $1,346 average replacement, and a gas control valve at about $350 is about 26%. A common rule of thumb is to replace when a repair passes about half the price of a new heater. We give honest repair-or-replace advice; read how long water heaters last, and when replacement wins, see water heater replacement in Fort Collins.
Lifetime cost: tank vs tankless vs heat pump
Upfront price is only part of the cost:
| Type | Expected life | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Tank, gas or electric | 10 to 15 years (DOE) | The baseline |
| Tankless | More than 20 years (DOE) | 24% to 34% more efficient for homes using 41 gallons a day or less; 8% to 14% at about 86 gallons (DOE) |
| Heat pump | 13 years, as assumed by ENERGY STAR | About $550 a year saved vs a standard electric tank, household of four (ENERGY STAR estimate) |
Based on ENERGY STAR’s estimate, $550 a year would recover the extra $1,503 it assumes a certified model costs within three years. ENERGY STAR puts lifetime savings at more than $5,610, assuming electricity at $0.146 per kWh, and its savings drop to $270 a year for two people. Based on DOE’s lifespans, a home keeping tank heaters for 20 years should plan on at least one more tank in that time.
Rebates and tax credits for water heaters in 2026
The federal energy efficient home improvement credit (25C) has ended: the IRS credit page, updated April 2026, says it covers improvements made through December 31, 2025. Colorado’s heat pump water heater credit for 2026 installs is $250, and the Colorado Energy Office says a state-registered installer must pass at least $83 of it to you as a discount on the invoice; the heater must be ENERGY STAR certified.
Utility rebates for 2026 (verify current amounts before you buy):
| Program | Who can apply | Water heater rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency Works | Electric customers of the Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Estes Park municipal utilities | Heat pump: up to $600 replacing electric or propane, up to $400 replacing gas, plus up to $500 for a panel upgrade to 200 amps |
| Xcel Energy | Colorado electric, gas or combined customers | Heat pump: $750 standard rebate; bonus offers change, so check Xcel’s current amount (eligibility rules apply) |
| Poudre Valley REA | Members | Heat pump of 30 gallons or more: $350 |
| Atmos Energy | Gas customers, including in Greeley | Gas tankless, UEF 0.95 or higher: 80% of cost, up to $800; gas tank of 55 gallons or less, UEF 0.86 or higher: 80%, up to $700 |
A household that qualifies for more than one program can combine them with the state discount. Amounts come from Efficiency Works’ January 2026 rebate sheets, Xcel’s 2026 rebate summary (effective October 1, 2026) and the Poudre Valley REA and Atmos Energy rebate pages. Our guide to heat pump water heater rebates in Fort Collins and Loveland covers deadlines and paperwork.
Water heater replacement cost FAQ
How much does it cost to replace a water heater in Fort Collins?
Angi’s July 2026 guide puts a national tank replacement at $882 to $1,825, averaging $1,346. In prices published online by Fort Collins and Loveland water heater companies, checked November 2026, 40- and 50-gallon tanks other than power vent models ran from $1,700 to $2,300, and the Fort Collins permit adds $65 plus sales tax.
How much does a tankless water heater cost to install?
This Old House’s June 2026 guide puts tankless installation at $1,200 to $3,500, averaging $2,800. Upsizing a gas line from 1/2 to 3/4 inch can add $400 to $800, by the same guide.
How much does a heat pump water heater cost?
This Old House’s June 2026 installation guide puts heat pump water heaters at $2,500 to $3,500. Colorado’s 2026 credit is $250, with at least $83 off your invoice.
How much does it cost to replace a gas water heater?
Angi’s July 2026 guide lists gas tank replacement at $700 to $2,700, and a power vent model adds $300 to $600 plus $300 to $500 for electrical work.
Does a new water heater need an expansion tank?
Only where a pressure-reducing valve, check valve or backflow preventer lets thermal expansion build pressure. Where one is needed, Angi’s July 2026 guide puts installation at $90 to $350.
How much does water heater repair cost?
HomeAdvisor’s June 2026 guide puts the average repair at $616, with most homeowners paying $228 to $1,017; a thermocouple runs around $150.
Does Colorado’s low-NOx rule make gas water heaters cost more?
We found no reliable source for a typical price difference, so we do not quote one. The rule restricts the sale of new non-compliant gas water heaters; it does not require replacing a working one, and propane models are exempt until January 1, 2031.
Is there a federal tax credit for water heaters in 2026?
No. The IRS says the energy efficient home improvement credit covers improvements made through December 31, 2025, but Colorado’s $250 heat pump water heater credit applies to 2026 installs.
Related services
Water Heater Installation
Gas and electric installs with the expansion tank, venting and permit done right.
Learn more
Water Heater Repair
No hot water, leaks, pilot and burner problems diagnosed and fixed.
Learn more
Tankless Water Heater Installation
Sized for your household, with gas line, venting and altitude handled.
Learn morePhoto credits (Wikimedia Commons): Water Heater Installation: Tim Evanson, CC BY-SA 2.0; Tankless Water Heater Installation: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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