When getting a quote for a new water heater it is important to know not only how many gallons your water heater is but the exterior dimensions as well. Both the capacity and height will have an impact on how much your water heater will cost.
Determine the Size of Your Water Heater
- Look for a sticker on the side of your water heater. It should have the serial number and other information as well as the gallon capacity listed. This is the capacity of your water heater.
- Using a tape measure, measure the height of your water heater from its base to the top. Then measure the width (diameter). It is also helpful to measure from the floor to the ceiling of the space your water heater is in and note if you have any room on the sides or top of your water heater. Refer to image below.
Now you can look at our pricing chart and see what the price will be for the capacity and height of water heater that you need.
Do I need a tall or short water heater?
The major differences are height, gallon capacity and required height for plumbing connections.
Short Water Heaters
These units are shorter and wider than a normal water heater, allowing them to hold the same amount of water as their larger counterparts while still fitting in areas with limited headroom, such as crawl spaces and under cabinets. Short water heaters vary between 30 to 49 inches and hold up to 50 gallons of water. The nickname for tall water heaters is “short boy.”
Tall Water Heaters
Tall water heaters range from 50 to 76 inches and can hold up to 100 gallons of water. They’re ideal for basements or garages where height isn’t an issue. In addition to the height, the space must also accommodate the height needed to connect a pipe on top of the tall water heater unit to the plumbing system of the home. The nickname for tall water heaters is “tall boy.”
If you can not determine the size of your water heater or have questions about if a certain water heater will fit in your space please call me at 520-488-0816.