Water Heater Repair in Loveland, CO
In Loveland, every water heater swap needs a permit and a city inspection, even if you do it yourself. The city also runs its own electric utility, which pays rebates on heat pump water heaters. If yours has quit or is leaking, call and get a plumber out.
What shapes water heater trouble in Loveland
water heater installs needed a re-inspection, city staff estimated in 2021
Source: City of Loveland Building Divisiontop rebate for a heat pump water heater replacing an electric one
Source: City of Loveland UtilitiesWhy every water heater here gets inspected
When Loveland's city council asked about water heater permits in 2021, the Building Division answered in a memo. State plumbing rules require a permit and an inspection for every residential water heater installation, whether a licensed plumber or the homeowner does the work, and a plumber can't inspect their own job. The main reason is that a water heater connects to the city's drinking water with no backflow preventer. The inspector also checks the gas line for leaks and makes sure the exhaust vent is installed right, since a bad vent can put carbon monoxide in the house.
Staff estimated that about one in four installs needed at least one re-inspection. In May 2021 the council voted to base the permit fee on the cost of the heater alone, not the installation. Before that, a $1,201 to $1,300 project carried a fee of about $47.90. A plumber who does the job right will pull the permit and be there for the inspection.
City electric, Xcel gas, and heat pump rebates
About 76% of Loveland homes heat with gas and 22% with electricity. Gas comes from Xcel Energy, but electricity comes from the city itself, through City of Loveland Utilities. That matters if you're thinking about a heat pump water heater. Through its partner Efficiency Works, the city lists rebates of up to $600 for an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater that replaces an electric tank, and up to $400 when it replaces a gas one.
If the new heater means upgrading to a 200-amp panel, there's a separate rebate of up to $500 for the panel, installed by a licensed electrician. You have to be a city residential electric customer, and the home has to be at least a year old. Heat pump models usually need more space and air around them than a standard tank, so check the spot before you buy.
Mountain water, and spring flushing
Loveland's water comes from the Big Thompson River, the Charles Hansen Feeder Canal and Green Ridge Glade Reservoir in west Loveland, which holds 6,800 acre-feet. The treatment plant can handle 38 million gallons a day. After the September 2013 flood, the city drew on the reservoir instead of the river, and residents noticed an odd smell, though the water stayed safe to drink. The utility keeps its water slightly basic so lead doesn't leach from older customer pipes.
Each spring the city flushes hydrants from west to east, which takes about five weeks. In 2026 it started April 13. Water can come out rusty or cloudy for a while, and the city says to run the tap until it clears and skip laundry until then. Use a cold tap for that, so the sediment doesn't get pulled into your water heater.
Safe steps for Loveland homes
- Leaking? Close the cold water valve on top of the tank.
- Turn off the gas valve or the breaker for the heater.
- Gas smell? Xcel Energy supplies natural gas in Loveland. Leave the house, call 911 from outside, then Xcel Energy at 800-895-2999.
Where we take calls
Loveland, Larimer County, ZIP codes 80537, 80538, 80539. Not sure your address is covered? Call and we'll check.
Nearby towns
Repair, replacement and emergencies
Water Heater Repair
Gas, electric and tankless repairs, from pilot lights to heating elements.
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No Hot Water
Cold shower this morning? Get the cause found and fixed fast.
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Leaking Water Heater
Water around the tank or a dripping relief valve. Act before it floods.
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Emergency Water Heater Repair
Burst tank, gas smell or water everywhere. Call right away.
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Water Heater Replacement
When repair no longer makes sense, get a new tank or tankless unit.
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Tankless Water Heater Repair
Error codes, lukewarm water and scale buildup on tankless units.
Learn moreLoveland water heater questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Loveland?
Yes. The city's Building Division says state rules require a permit and an inspection for every residential water heater installation, even when a homeowner does the work.
What does the Loveland inspector check?
According to the city's 2021 memo, the inspector checks the gas line for leaks and the exhaust venting, plus the connection to the drinking water, since water heaters have no backflow preventer.
Are there rebates for a heat pump water heater in Loveland?
Yes, for City of Loveland Utilities electric customers: up to $600 when it replaces an electric tank and up to $400 when it replaces gas, through Efficiency Works.
Who supplies gas and electricity in Loveland?
Xcel Energy supplies natural gas. Electricity comes from City of Loveland Utilities. If you smell gas, leave first, call 911 from outside, then Xcel at 800-895-2999.
Where these local facts come from
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 (via Census Reporter)
- City of Loveland Building Division, residential water heater permits: council questions and answers (May 4, 2021)
- Loveland Reporter-Herald, Loveland council lowers fees on residential water heater installs (May 11, 2021)
- City of Loveland Utilities, residential rebates (Efficiency Works)
- City of Loveland Utilities, service directory: Xcel Energy natural gas
- City of Loveland Utilities, do you know where your water comes from? (Sept. 1, 2024)
- CBS Colorado, water in Loveland stinks, but still safe to drink (2013)
- City of Loveland Utilities, lead reduction program
- City of Loveland Utilities, hydrant flushing
Figures are the latest published by each source. Pricing and availability are set by the plumber.
No hot water in Loveland?
Call now for water heater repair or replacement.