How to Get Rid of an Old Water Heater? 6 Options [2026]

The easiest method depends on whether you are installing a replacement.

If buying a new water heater: Ask the retailer or installer to haul away the old one. Lowe's and Home Depot include haul-away with professional installation at no extra charge. The plumber disconnects the old unit and takes it when delivering the new one.

If the water heater is already disconnected: Take it to a scrap metal yard. Water heaters are mostly steel with copper fittings — scrapyards pay $10-25 for a standard 40-50 gallon residential tank. You need a truck or dolly to transport it.

If you cannot move it: Book junk removal. Dropcurb picks up water heaters from your curb or driveway for $79. Full-service companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK remove them from inside your home for $150-250+.

Every removal method requires the water heater to be drained and disconnected first. Attempting to move a full water heater is dangerous — a 50-gallon tank filled with water weighs over 500 pounds.

Turn off the power. For electric water heaters, flip the breaker. For gas water heaters, turn the gas valve to the OFF position and let the pilot light go out.

Turn off the cold water supply valve at the top of the tank.

Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Run the hose to a floor drain, sump pit, or outside. Open the drain valve and a hot water faucet somewhere in the house (this lets air in so the tank drains faster). Draining takes 20-45 minutes depending on sediment buildup.

Disconnect the water lines. For copper pipes, use a pipe cutter or hacksaw. For flexible connectors, use an adjustable wrench. Place a bucket under the connections to catch residual water.

For gas units, disconnect the gas line and cap it. If you are not comfortable working with gas lines, hire a plumber ($75-150) for this step only.

Use a furniture dolly or appliance hand truck to move the empty tank. A drained 50-gallon water heater weighs 100-150 pounds. Strap it to the dolly for stability on stairs.

Yes, and you will earn money doing it. Water heaters have solid scrap value because they contain steel, copper, and brass.

A standard 40-50 gallon residential water heater weighs 100-150 pounds empty. At 2026 scrap steel prices ($0.04-0.08/lb), the tank alone is worth $4-12. The copper pipes and fittings add $5-15 depending on how much copper is attached.

Total scrap value for a typical residential water heater: $10-25. Commercial units (80+ gallons) bring $25-50+.

Scrapyards accept water heaters as-is — no disassembly needed. But draining is required. No scrapyard will accept a tank with water in it.

Plumbing supply houses (Ferguson, Johnstone Supply) also accept old water heaters as drop-offs in many locations. They collect them for bulk recycling. Call first to confirm your local branch accepts them — this tip comes directly from plumbers on trade forums.

Most cities accept water heaters through their bulk pickup program, but not through regular weekly trash.

Schedule bulk pickup by calling 311 or visiting your city's waste management website. Water heaters are classified as a bulky metal item. Many cities prioritize metal items in their bulk programs because they have recycling value.

Wait times range from 2-8 weeks depending on demand. Drain the tank completely before placing it at the curb.

Some cities (including New York City, Chicago, and Houston) offer separate metal scrap pickup that runs more frequently than general bulk pickup. Check your city's specific program — you may get faster service by requesting metal pickup rather than general bulk.

Fees: Most bulk pickup programs are free for 1-4 items per year. Some cities charge $20-40 for additional pickups beyond the annual limit.

Lowe's and Home Depot include old water heater haul-away with professional installation of a new unit. This is the most convenient option if you are replacing your water heater.

Lowe's installation package includes delivery of the new water heater, removal and disposal of the old one, and all plumbing connections. The installer drains and disconnects the old tank as part of the service.

Home Depot offers the same through their installation partners. The total installation cost ($1,000-2,000+ depending on unit type and complexity) includes haul-away.

Neither store accepts old water heater drop-offs at their retail locations. You cannot drive an old water heater to Lowe's or Home Depot and leave it there. The haul-away is strictly tied to a new installation purchase.

Independent plumbers may or may not haul away the old tank. Some include it in their installation fee, others charge $50-100 extra. Ask upfront before hiring.