If you’re installing a water heater in an attic or other area where weight is an issue, it’s especially useful to know how much a water heater weighs while it’s full of water. You must understand the water weight to calculate the water heater’s weight. For example, water weighs 8.34 pounds for every gallon.
If you’re installing a water heater in an attic or another area where weight is an issue, it’s especially useful to know how much your water heater weighs while it’s full of water. You must understand the water weight to calculate the water heater’s weight.
Therefore, if your 50-gallon water heater weighs around 140 pounds while empty, it will weigh about 547 pounds when it is full.
50 gallons and 407 pounds of empty water heaters add up to 557 pounds.
How Much Does A Water Heater Weigh
Water heater weight varies significantly depending on the unit’s type, size, and material. As an expert in the field, I have observed that while manufacturers prioritize quality, weight remains a critical factor, especially when installing in sensitive areas like attics.
For instance, when moving a water heater, it’s essential to consider the average weight—tank-style water heaters weigh around 150 pounds when empty, but this can increase drastically when filled with water.
Said there is no traditional weight. Nevertheless, the size and weight are comparable.
- On average, a 30-gallon water heater weighs 95 to 100 pounds.
- The weight of a 40-gallon water heater is around 110 pounds.
- The weight of a 50-gallon water heater is around 140 pounds.
- A 200-pound water heater with an 80-gallon capacity will be heavy.
The weight of your water heater depends on several elements.
The size of the tank is a primary factor influencing the overall weight of a water heater. From my experience handling various units, a 50-gallon water heater typically weighs around 140 pounds when empty and can reach over 500 pounds when filled. This weight difference is crucial when planning installations, such as attics, where weight is a concern.
The water heater’s construction components, however, are equally crucial. The weight is affected by the steel jacket, insulation, tank thickness, quantity of anode rods, and heating components, among other factors.
How Heavy Is A Water Heater?
Even when empty, water heaters with storage tanks are heavier than tankless units. It is advisable to know that galvanized or stainless steel is the most common metal container used with storage tank water heaters. Some companies may even provide hot water tanks made of cast iron.
First-hand experience has shown that draining the water heater before moving it can drastically reduce its weight, making it safer and easier to handle. For example, the risk of injury or property damage is minimized by draining the water and using a dolly.
A 40-gallon water heater typically weighs 110 pounds when empty and 440.5 pounds when fully loaded.
Here is a list of some of the top 40-gallon water heaters on the market, along with their corresponding weights.
- Rheem Marathon MR40245 – 425 pounds (empty weight = 91 pounds)
- Rheem XE40M06ST45U1 – 440 pounds (empty weight = 106 pounds)
- Sure Comfort SCG40T03ST34U1 – 459 pounds (empty weight = 125 pounds)
- Westinghouse WER040C2X055N – 438 pounds (empty weight = 104 pounds)
The most substantial of the aforementioned 80-gallon water heaters is the Rheem GHE80SS-130A. When fully loaded, its water heater weighs roughly 1.5 times as much when empty as the Rheem 40-gallon Marathon MR40245.
During a recent installation, I found tankless water heaters are much easier to handle due to their lighter weight. Tankless units generally weigh around 27 pounds, compared to the 150 pounds average for tank-style water heaters. This difference makes tankless options preferable where space and weight are significant constraints.
Table of Water Heater Weights
| Water Heater Type | Capacity (Gallons) | Average Empty Weight (Pounds) | Average Full Weight (Pounds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank-Style | 30 | 95-100 | 345-375 |
| Tank-Style | 40 | 106 | 440.5 |
| Tank-Style | 50 | 140 | 547 |
| Tank-Style | 80 | 200 | 667 |
| Tankless | N/A | 27 | N/A |
| Tankless (High GPM) | N/A | 85 | N/A |
Final Takeaway
How much a water heater weighs depends on the type of water heater, the size of the storage tank, and the water flow rate.
- Depending on the storage tank capacity, water heaters with storage tanks can weigh anywhere from 20 pounds to 600 pounds or more.
- Tankless water heaters can weigh between 7 and 85 pounds, depending on the water flow rate.
Even so, being aware of the weight might be helpful. For example, if you need assistance installing a new water heater or getting rid of an old one, you might want to find out.
If you’re placing your water heater in an attic or another area where weight may be an issue, you may also need to be aware of the weight.
In a perfect world, no one would ever touch anything weighing more than 35 pounds for women and 55 pounds for men. However, if your water heater weighs more than these safe weight restrictions, seeking expert advice or help might be prudent.
