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How Much Does a Water Heater Weigh?

 
 

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Knowing how much your water heater weighs can be important for a number of reasons. Whether you're unsure if you'll need help to dispose of an old water heater, or you want to make sure your home is structurally capable of supporting a new water heater, knowing the weight can definitely be helpful information.

This article will show you how to determine the weight when it's empty, as well as how to calculate how much your water heater weighs with a full tank of water.


lifting water heater

How to Determine the Weight of a Water Heater

If you're purchasing a new water heater, the easiest way is to look at the water heater's specification sheet. This is where you'll find the First Hour Rating, Uniform Energy Factor, and other important information to help you buy the right water heater for your home and family.

On the spec sheet you'll also find the dimensions (height and width) of the water heater which will help to determine if the unit will fit into your space.

In addition, there's typically a shipping weight listed.

Although the shipping weight is not the exact weight of the water heater, it is close and will be within a few pounds.

As an example:

  • The AO Smith ProLine PXGT-50 is a 50-gallon water heater with a shipping weight of 134 pounds.
  • The Rheem Professional Classic Heavy Duty comes in two different sized tanks (models: PROG75 and PROG98). The 75-gallon tank model has a shipping weight of 315 pounds, where the 98-gallon tank model weighs in at 356 pounds.

The actual weight of your water heater will be several pounds lighter than the shipping weight, but not enough to matter. 

It's also important to note, that this weight does not include the water in the tank.

So if you're trying to determine if your attic (or other location) will be able to support the weight of an operational water heater, you'll need to factor in the weight of the water to your calculations.

average weight of water heaters

How Much Does a Water Heater Weigh with a Full Tank of Water

Knowing how much your water heater weighs when full of water is especially helpful if you are adding a water heater to an attic or another weight sensitive location.

In order to determine how much the water heater will weigh, you'll need to know how much water weighs.

One gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds.

So, if you have a 50 gallon water heater that weighs roughly 140 pounds when empty, once you have it filled, it'll weigh around 547 pounds. 

140 lbs (empty water heater) + 417 lbs (50 gallons of water) = 557 pounds 

Average Weight of Water Heaters

Water heaters range in weight, and as a general rule, manufacturers are more concerned about the quality of the water heater itself than how much the unit weighs.

Simply put, there's no standard weight. But with that said, there are similarities in size and weight.

  • A 30-gallon water heater, on average will weigh around 95 to 100 pounds.
  • A 40-gallon water heater will weigh around 110 pounds.
  • A 50-gallon water heater will weigh around 140 pounds.
  • A 80-gallon water heater will weigh around 200 pounds.
Factors that influence water heater weight

Factors that Impact a Water Heaters Weight

There are a number of factors that play into how much your water heater weighs.

One of the biggest factors that impacts the weight of water heaters is the size of the tank. As you might expect, a 75-gallon water heater will be heavier than a 50-gallon unit.

However, the materials used to build the water heater are also important. The steel jacket, insulation, tank thickness, number of anode rods and heating elements, etc. all contribute to the weight.

Every component adds up and makes your water heater heavier.

Water Heater Weight and Innovation

In the pursuit of excellence, and to set their products above their competitors, many manufacturers make changes to their design which they often trademark.

These changes often improve the quality of their water heaters, such as when A.O. Smith began lining their tanks with glass, or when Rheem designed their long-lasting Marathon series water heater which was built with a durable outer jacket wound from fiberglass.

Some improvements increase the weight, and others do the opposite. But the bottom line is, manufacturers are more focused on quality than weight.

The amount of time the appliance is being transported and installed is extremely short in relation to the role the water heater will play in your home. Once the water heater is installed, the quality of the construction matters far more than how much it weighs.

In addition, homes are designed and built with the water heater in mind. It's a rare home that doesn't have a water heater.

If a tank style water heater will be installed in a home, the builder accounts for the weight by reinforcing the floor or positioning the unit on a cement slab, such as a basement, utility room, or garage.

Why Weight Matters

Still knowing the weight can be helpful.

You may want to know if you'll need help moving a new water heater into place, or getting rid of an old one.

Or, you may need to know the weight if you're installing your water heater into an attic or other space where weight may be a concern.

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