Gas tankless water heater replacement cost in Columbus, OH
Installed, About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)
A typical tankless water heater (About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)) costs about $2,750 installed in the Columbus area, 2% below the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $30 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Columbus
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| About 150,000 BTU (1–2 bathrooms) | $2,050 | $2,600 | $3,500 | $2,650 |
| About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms) | $2,550 | $2,750 | $3,850 | $2,800 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Columbus metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $24 | $24 |
| Median | $30 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $41 | $41 |
The Columbus market
Columbus Building and Zoning Services puts both water heater replacement and the "Replacement of a Single Furnace, A/C and/or Heat Pump" on its Approved Minor Work Permit list, as long as the unit is not on a roof. For a 1-3 family home, a minor work permit costs $140 and includes one inspection; a full mechanical, electrical or plumbing permit is $275 with two inspections, and each extra inspection trip is $225. Homeowners may permit work on their own single-family home if they do it themselves or with immediate family, but cannot buy permits for work a contractor will do; hired work must be permitted by a licensed contractor. Ohio homes lean heavily on gas: EIA's 2020 survey found 64% heat with natural gas and 57% heat water with it.
A tankless conversion often adds venting and a larger gas line, which can take it beyond a simple swap. Ask the contractor which permit they plan to pull and how many inspections the price assumes. Ohio winters bring colder incoming water, which lowers how much hot water a tankless unit can deliver at once. Ask for the rated flow at a winter inlet temperature, and leave the gas line changes to a licensed plumber.
Permits in Columbus
| Permit for this job | Yes (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $140 (1,2,3-family Minor Work Permit, includes 1 inspection); full MEP permit $275 (includes 2 inspections); additional inspection trip $225 |
| Who can pull it | Homeowner allowed for own owner-occupied single-family home (doing work themselves) or licensed contractor |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Ohio
HEAR: status unclear. HOMES: status unclear. Source: Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Columbus
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tankless water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- Columbus, OH permit source (water heater permit)
- Columbus, OH permit source (who can pull)
- Columbus, OH permit source (notable local rule)
- Columbus, OH permit source: 1-3 family Minor Work Permit (E, M or P only) $140 incl. 1
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Columbus, OH (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Dec 2024), Table 8.2.6 (2023$)