Water Heater Disposal: How to Get Rid of One [2026 Guide]

Six ways to dispose of an old water heater, from cheapest to most convenient:

1. Take it to a scrap yard (earn $10–$25). Water heaters contain steel, copper fittings, and an aluminum or magnesium anode rod — all recyclable metals. A standard 40–50 gallon tank weighs 100–150 lbs empty and yields $10–$25 at current scrap prices (steel at $0.05–$0.08/lb). Tankless units weigh less (25–50 lbs) but contain copper components worth $5–$15.

2. Schedule municipal pickup (free). Many cities classify water heaters as "white goods" or "bulky metal items" eligible for free curbside collection. Fort Worth, TX accepts them at the Environmental Collection Center. Check your city's solid waste department website — search for "white goods pickup" or "appliance disposal."

3. Have your plumber take the old one. Most plumbers include old water heater removal when installing a new unit at no extra charge or for $0–$50. They haul it to a scrap yard and keep the scrap value. Ask before your installation appointment.

4. Book Dropcurb ($79). Drain the tank, move it to the curb, and book online. A local hauler picks it up same day. No waiting for a municipal pickup window, no loading a truck yourself.

5. Hire a junk removal company ($85–$267). Full-service companies like Junk King and LoadUp will remove the water heater from inside your home. HomeAdvisor reports water heater removal costs $85–$267 as of 2026.

6. List it for free online. Post "free water heater for scrap" on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Scrappers and metal recyclers regularly claim free water heaters within 24–48 hours.

An old water heater is worth $10–$25 at a scrap yard based on current metal prices.

Standard tank water heaters (40–50 gallon): Weigh 100–150 lbs empty. The steel tank at $0.05–$0.08/lb yields $5–$12. Copper fittings and pipes add $3–$8. The anode rod (magnesium or aluminum) adds $1–$3. Total scrap value: $10–$25.

Tankless water heaters: Weigh 25–50 lbs but contain more copper per pound. Copper heat exchangers and components can be worth $5–$15. Total scrap value: $8–$20.

Tip: Separate copper fittings and the anode rod before scrapping. Scrap yards pay more for sorted metals than mixed scrap. Copper currently fetches $3.50–$4.00/lb — even a few copper fittings can add $5+ to your payout.

You must drain the tank before disposal — a full 50-gallon water heater weighs over 500 lbs and cannot be safely moved.

• •Turn off the power. For electric heaters, switch off the breaker. For gas heaters, turn the gas valve to "off" or "pilot."

• •Turn off the cold water supply valve at the top of the unit.

• •Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Run the hose to a floor drain, bathtub, or outside.

• •Open the drain valve and a hot water faucet somewhere in the house (this breaks the vacuum and lets water flow).

• •Wait 20–45 minutes for the tank to fully drain. A 50-gallon tank takes about 30 minutes.

• •Disconnect water lines once fully drained. Use a pipe wrench for threaded connections.

⚠️ Gas water heaters: Disconnecting the gas line requires a licensed plumber in most states. Do not attempt this yourself — gas leaks are dangerous and can result in code violations.

No — Home Depot does not accept old water heaters for recycling or disposal. They sell new water heaters and offer installation services, but the installation contractor typically handles old unit removal as part of the install (confirm this when booking).

Lowe's has a similar policy — old unit removal is included with their professional installation service but they don't accept walk-in drop-offs of old water heaters.

Your best bet for free disposal is a scrap yard (they'll pay you), municipal white goods pickup (free), or listing it free on Craigslist for scrappers.

Generally no. Salvation Army and Goodwill do not accept water heaters. Habitat for Humanity ReStores may accept working water heaters in good condition that are less than 5 years old — call your local ReStore to confirm.

For non-working water heaters, recycling is the best option. The steel and copper components are fully recyclable, and scrap yards provide immediate cash.