You can expect an average water heater weight to be about 150 lbs (68 kg) for 50-gallon natural gas tank water heaters and about 82 lbs (37 kg) for natural gas tankless water heaters.
How much a water heater weighs will vary depending on its use and type. Tank water heaters tend to weigh between 100 to 150 lbs, tankless water heaters weigh between 10 to 85 lbs, while commercial water heaters can weigh well above 750 lbs. Size and weights will also vary depending on if the tank is designed for personal and home use, or commercial use.
If you plan on hauling your water heater, make sure to check your vehicle’s towing capacity. This can be found in your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website as your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
7 Example Water Heater Weights
The following chart features example water heater weights of specific models ranging from the lightest to the heaviest used in the field. Additional details can be found on the manufacturer’s websites. Here’s the water heater weight chart:
Water Heater Model | Weight |
EcoSmart ECO 27 Electric Tankless Water Heater | 14 lbs (6.4 kg) |
Rheem 20 Gallon Electric Point-Of-Use Water Heater | 70 lbs (32 kg) |
Rheem 9.5 GPM Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater | 82 lbs (37 kg) |
Rheem 40 Gallon Electric Tank Water Heater | 106 lbs (48 kg) |
Rheem 40 Gallon Natural Gas Tank Water Heater | 127 lbs (58 kg) |
Rheem 50 Gallon Electric Tank Water Heater | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
Rheem 50 Gallon Natural Gas Tank Water Heater | 150 lbs (68 kg) |
Source: Home Depot
To Conclude
Water heaters provide a great method of water treatment. Each make, model, and size comes along with its own weight based on use and if any other modifications are made. The key factors to consider the weight of a water heater come down to:
- Size and dimensions
- Construction material
- Number of gallons
- Gas vs electric
It’s important to know the correct weight when looking to tow and transport a water heater. If you’re unsure and want specific weights, you can always check the manufacture’s website or go to a local cat scale to get a more accurate weight.