Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Richmond, VA
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $1,950 installed in the Richmond area, 3% below the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $30 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Richmond
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,650 | $1,900 | $2,250 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,700 | $1,950 | $2,400 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,450 | $2,750 | $3,150 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,450 | $2,700 | $3,050 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,600 | $2,800 | $3,300 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Richmond metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $24 |
| Median | $30 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $35 | $41 |
The Richmond market
Richmond's permit requirements for water heater, furnace, AC and heat pump replacements could not be verified from official city sources for this page. Fees, who may pull a permit, and inspection steps are all unconfirmed, so contact the City of Richmond's permits and inspections office before work begins. Henrico and Chesterfield counties, which hold much of the metro's housing, issue their own permits. Across Virginia, EIA's 2020 survey found furnaces in 56% of homes and central heat pumps in 27%, with electricity the main heating fuel in half of homes and natural gas in 36%. Smaller shares burn propane (5%) or fuel oil (4%). Virginia's federally funded home energy rebates were waiting on DOE approval with no launch date in October 2026.
Richmond-area water heaters follow the statewide pattern, where 63% run on electricity and 33% on gas. Keeping the same fuel avoids new wiring or gas piping, which is usually the least expensive path. Ask the plumber in writing whether a permit will be filed. With an electric tank, it can pay to price a heat pump water heater, which needs open space and a condensate drain.
Permits in Richmond
We couldn't confirm all of Richmond's rules from official pages. Check with the building department before work starts.
| Permit for this job | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Virginia
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Virginia Department of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
- Virginia Energy Connect: State one-stop incentive finder
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Richmond
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tank water heater cost in other metros
- Virginia Beach, VA
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
Sources
- Richmond, VA permit source: Navigation only; customer service 804-646-7000 /
- Virginia Energy: Home Energy Rebates FAQ
- Virginia Energy Connect
- 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, Richmond, VA (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)