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Gas tankless water heater replacement cost in Birmingham, AL

Installed, About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)

Low$2,550
Typical$2,750
High$3,550

Metro area: Birmingham, AL. Wages: BLS, May 2025. Permit notes checked October 2026.

A typical tankless water heater (About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)) costs about $2,750 installed in the Birmingham area, 2% below the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $29 an hour against $31 nationally.

Gas tankless water heater (About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)), installed

Prices for: Birmingham, AL

Low$2,550
Typical$2,750
High$3,550

Unit $1,566 (online list price, middle of 15 listings) plus installation about $1,200 for this area. Permit fees and code extras are listed below the table.

How this estimate is built

Prices by size in Birmingham

SizeLowTypicalHighNational typical
About 150,000 BTU (1–2 bathrooms)$2,050$2,600$3,200$2,650
About 180,000–199,000 BTU (2–3+ bathrooms)$2,550$2,750$3,550$2,800

Local labor: what plumbers earn here

Hourly wageBirmingham metroUnited States
25th percentile$24$24
Median$29$31
75th percentile$31$41

The Birmingham market

Birmingham's Technical Code requires a permit to install, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace plumbing, mechanical and gas systems, with exemptions for repairs or replacements of components with similar equipment. Notably, the code exempts repair of a gas-fired furnace and "repair or replacement of condensing unit," while vent and gas piping work still needs a Gas permit; the Building Official interprets these exemptions. Mechanical jobs get rough-in and final inspections, and gas piping finals include a pressure test. A homeowner may do their own plumbing in a single-family home but still needs a permit and inspections, and larger jobs require a licensed contractor. Fees were not confirmed. DOE puts Jefferson County in mixed-humid zone 3A, and EIA's 2020 survey found 64% of Alabama homes heat with electricity and 39% with a central heat pump.

Only 26% of Alabama water heaters use gas, so a gas tankless unit often means bringing gas to a house that has none, or upsizing a line meant for a small tank. That work belongs to a licensed master gas fitter or plumber. An electric tankless model avoids gas but needs a large dedicated circuit. Ask each installer to price the gas or electrical work separately from the heater itself. That way you can see what the switch costs.

Permits in Birmingham

We couldn't confirm all of Birmingham's rules from official pages. Check with the building department before work starts.

Permit for this jobUnclear (general permit rule covers replacing plumbing/mechanical systems; no water-heater-specific provision found; gas vent and piping work requires a Gas permit) (source)
FeeNot stated on the city pages we checked
Who can pull itPlumbing: single-family homeowner may do own plumbing (with permit, inspections, fees); jobs of $10,000+ require a licensed contractor; gas and plumbing reference Master Gas Fitter / master plumber.
InspectionYes

Rebates in Alabama

HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: ADECA Energy Division, checked October 13, 2026.

What these programs cover, and other states

Other systems in Birmingham

Gas tankless water heater cost in other metros

Sources