Water Heater Installation in Portland, OR
Building, upgrading, adding a second unit, or converting to tankless? Our Portland plumbers install new water heaters to Oregon code — permit pulled, inspection handled — with a free upfront estimate.
- New, upgrade & conversion installs
- Permit + inspection handled
- Tank, tankless & heat-pump
- Discuss the repair scope before work
Same-day water heater service — repair or full replacement
- Same-day repair or replacement available
- Upfront price before we start — no surprises
- Discuss the repair scope before work
- Stocked for most brands — first-visit fix
Installation or replacement?
It helps to know which job you're booking:
- Installation — a new unit for new construction, an added second heater, an upgrade in size or efficiency, a fuel switch, a tank-to-tankless conversion, or a relocation.
- Replacement — your existing heater failed and you want a like-for-like swap, fast.
If your old heater just died, the quickest path is our same-day replacement service. Planning an upgrade or conversion? You're in the right place.
Installs we handle
- New construction & remodels
- Tank-to-tankless conversions
- Fuel switches (electric ↔ gas, or to heat-pump)
- Capacity upgrades (bigger tank / higher GPM)
- Adding a second or point-of-use heater
- Relocating a unit (garage, utility room, ADU)
Tank, tankless & heat-pump
We install and size every major type, gas or electric, and help you weigh upfront cost against efficiency and rebates.
Storage tank
Simple, affordable, reliable. Sized 40–80 gallons in gas or electric for steady whole-home hot water.
Tankless conversion
Endless hot water and wall-mounted space savings. We upsize the gas line and add sealed venting as needed. Tankless service
Heat-pump / hybrid
The most efficient choice and the biggest Energy Trust rebate. Needs a 240V circuit and adequate air space — ideal for many Portland homes.
What a professional install includes
- New unit set, shutoff valves & flex connectors
- Code-required expansion tank & T&P valve
- Drain pan + condensate drain (where required)
- Seismic strapping & dielectric unions
- Proper venting (B-vent or sealed PVC for tankless)
- Gas-line / electrical work for conversions
- Permit, inspection & old-unit haul-away
Permits & inspection, handled
Oregon requires water heater installs to be permitted and inspected, and done by a contractor. A code-compliant install protects your warranty, your home insurance, and your resale — and prevents gas, carbon-monoxide, and pressure-vessel hazards.
As an Oregon CCB contractor, we pull the City of Portland plumbing permit, install to the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, and schedule the inspection so you don't have to. DIY or unpermitted installs commonly fail inspection and void manufacturer warranties.
Serving the City of Portland (Multnomah County).
Water heater installation cost in Portland
| Standard tank install (50 gal) | $1,600 – $2,300 |
| Tankless install | $2,800 – $4,500 |
| Tank-to-tankless conversion | $3,500 – $7,000+ |
| Heat-pump / hybrid install (before rebates) | $1,800 – $3,500 |
Conversions cost more because of gas-line upsizing, new venting, and any electrical work. We give a free, upfront estimate and help you claim Energy Trust of Oregon, PGE and NW Natural rebates on qualifying high-efficiency units. (Rebate amounts change — we confirm current programs at install.)
From estimate to hot water
Assess & size
Free in-home or phone assessment — we size the unit and recommend the right type.
Permit & plan
We pull the permit and plan any gas, venting or electrical work for conversions.
Install to code
Clean, code-compliant install with all required safety components.
Inspect & register
We test, pass inspection, and register your manufacturer warranty.
Planning a new water heater?
Get a free, upfront estimate for a new install, upgrade, or tankless conversion — code-compliant, permit handled, with rebate help.
Local help for Water Heater Installation
From the first call to a clean finish, our Portland plumbers handle water heater installation with upfront, flat-rate pricing and no overtime fees — day, night, weekends and holidays.
Call (971) 367-8197Water heater installation questions
Thinking about a conversion or upgrade? Call for a free assessment.
How much does it cost to install a water heater in Portland?
The price depends on diagnosis, access, parts and the agreed work. Ask what is included in the assessment and request the repair scope and price before authorizing work. Additional restoration or specialist work should be identified separately.
What's the difference between installation and replacement?
Installation covers a new unit, upgrade, fuel or tank-to-tankless conversion, second heater, or relocation. Replacement is swapping a failed unit like-for-like — if your heater just died, see our water heater replacement page.
Do I need a permit to install a water heater in Portland?
Yes — a City of Portland plumbing permit and inspection are required. As an Oregon contractor we pull the permit and schedule the inspection so the install is code-compliant and your warranty stays valid.
Can I convert my tank water heater to tankless?
Yes. A conversion usually needs a larger gas line, new sealed venting, and sometimes electrical work. We assess feasibility, size the unit by GPM, and handle the full conversion to code.
Can you switch from electric to gas, or to a heat pump?
Yes. Electric-to-gas needs new gas and venting; switching to a heat-pump needs a 240V circuit and condensate drain. We evaluate your space and code requirements and quote the conversion.
What size water heater do I need?
It depends on household size and simultaneous demand — gallons for tanks (a 50-gallon suits most families of four) or GPM/first-hour rating for tankless. We size it during a free assessment.
What's included in a professional installation?
New unit set, shutoffs and flex connectors, expansion tank, T&P valve, drain pan and condensate line, seismic strapping, dielectric unions, code-compliant venting, the permit and inspection, and old-unit haul-away when upgrading.
Which water heater brands do you install?
Major brands across tank, tankless and heat-pump — Bradford White, Rheem, A.O. Smith, Rinnai and Navien among them. We'll recommend the best fit for your home and budget.
Other Plumbing Services in Portland
One call covers every plumbing need, anywhere in the metro.
Water Heater Repair
No hot water or a leaking tank? Same-day gas, electric & tankless repair.
Water Heater Replacement
Old or failed unit swapped same day, hauled away and code-compliant.
Tankless Water Heater Repair
Flow-sensor, ignition, scale and control-board fixes.
Drain Cleaning
Clogged or slow drains cleared fast — no harsh chemicals.
Hydro Jetting
High-pressure cleaning that blasts grease, roots and scale.
Sewer Line Repair
Camera diagnosis and trenchless repair of damaged laterals.
Sewer Line Cleaning
Roots and blockages cleared from your main sewer line.
Sewer Line Replacement
Trenchless pipe bursting or a targeted dig that lasts decades.
Sewer Camera Inspection
HD camera locates the exact problem underground.
Burst Pipe Repair
We stop the flood and repair burst pipes the same visit.
Leak Detection
Non-invasive location of hidden water leaks before they spread.
Slab Leak Repair
Pinpoint and repair leaks under your concrete slab.
Pipe Repair & Repiping
Repair or repipe for copper, PEX and old galvanized lines.
Gas Line Repair
Safe repair and leak-testing of natural-gas and propane lines.
Water Line Repair
Repair leaking or broken main water-service lines.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Thaw and repair frozen, split pipes before they flood.
Faucet Repair
Drips, low water pressure and worn cartridges fixed fast.
Toilet Repair
Clogged, running, leaking and overflowing toilets repaired.
Garbage Disposal Repair
Jammed, humming or leaking disposals repaired or replaced.
Backflow Testing
Backflow testing requirements, scheduling and reports.
Commercial Plumbing
Same-day plumbing for restaurants, offices and retail.
How the repair scope is decided
The site check reviews the existing connections, access, venting or electrical supply and the intended equipment. It also identifies requirements that may affect the installation scope before a model is selected.
Tank and tankless systems have different connection and installation needs. The proposal should identify the equipment, necessary connection changes, startup checks and removal of any old unit.
Confirm what is included for permits, connection changes, venting, disposal and inspection coordination. Manufacturer requirements and the property’s actual conditions determine the final installation.
What to have ready before a visit
Share the current model, fuel type, installation location and household demand. Tell us about stairs, narrow access and any planned change from the existing type of equipment.