How do I figure out what kind of water heater I have or need?

When it’s time to replace your water heater it’s a great idea to know what kind of water heater you have/ will need before you call your plumber.  To find out exactly what kind & size your water heater is, you need to figure out a few things.
1.Find out what kind of energy it uses, 2.how big is it (how many gallons),3. and figure out what the height is, 4.and how it’s vented.

1. What kind of energy is uses.  Electric water heaters will have a electrical supply cord going to the top or side of the heater.  Gas water heaters will have either have a half inch black gas pipe going into the bottom of the tank, or a quarter inch copper line,  or possibly a yellow flexible line called track pipe.    If you have gas you need to know what kind of gas you have  natural gas, or propane.  Just look at your gas bill to find that out if you aren’t sure. If it uses oil you have an oil fired water heater.
2. What size (how many gallons)  is your current water heater.  On the side, and near the top of the tank their will be a label with the water heater information.  You should be able to see the number 30,40, 50, 75, or 80 gallons within the label.  90% of homes in America will have either 40 or 50 gallons tanks. Small apartments sometimes use 30 gallon tanks, large homes with 4 or more bathrooms would need a 75- 80 gallon tank.   Note:   If you need to replace you current water heater and your family has gotten or will getting bigger, will be adding a jacuzzi tub etc, this is the time to increase the size of your water heater if you so desire
3. You should get a measurement of  the tank.  Heaters typically come in two sizes.  Tall or short.  This can be very important for a few installation reasons, and short heaters are more expensive than regular sized models.  The actual size difference between tall and short water heaters is only about 10 – 14 inches depending on what brand water heater.  For example, a 40 gallon Rheem “tall”/regular height.  is 58 inches, their short model is 46 inches tall.  When your measuring be sure not include any platforms, concrete blocks, bricks etc.  Measure the bottom of the tank to the top of the tank, simple as that.  Note: if their are legs integrated in the tank, as they are in most old gas & oil fired water heaters the leg height should also be included with the tank height measurement.
4. For gas water heaters:  You should know what kind of venting the tank has.  Oil fired water heaters will either be vented from the side or from the top.  Gas water heaters will either be “regularly” vented meaning the exhaust goes into a chimney or in B-vent.  Gas water heaters can also be “power vented” meaning they have a fan & motor fixed on top of the tank which pushes the exhaust out doors threw a 3 or 4 inch pvc pipe.  Power vented water heaters are much more expensive than regular vented water heaters, but if you don’t have a chimney, or you chimney is bad/ condemned you have to go with a power vented, or electric water heater.  Electric water heaters do not produce exhaust gases their for are not vented, but electric water heaters cost almost twice as much to run than gas water heaters.

When you know these things you know what kind of heater you have, / when it’s time to replace your old leaking water heater you are set with the all the information you need when buying a new one.

Another new water heater

This is a picture of a new Rheem water heater.

It’s uses natural gas, it’s regularly vented, and standard height.

So this water heater is exactly called a;
Rheem 50 gallon, gas, standard height & regular venting.

You need to have all the following information when buying a new water heater.  (gallon size, type of fuel, height, and venting)

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