Water Heater Disposal Cost
Disposing of an old water heater costs $50 to $150 through a plumber, $0 to $30 through a municipal drop-off, or you might get $20 to $40 for it at a scrap yard. Most bundled replacement installs from Home Depot, Lowes, or independent plumbers include haul-away at no extra charge. Here is the full picture and the eco-options.
Disposal cost by route
| Route | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber haul-away (with bundled install) | $0 (included) | Same day | Default with HD, Lowes, most independents |
| Plumber haul-away (standalone, no install) | $50-$150 | Same day | Plumber returns to pick up |
| Municipal drop-off (transfer station) | $0-$30 | Your own time | Truck or trailer needed |
| Bulk-item pickup (city service) | $25-$100 | 1-3 weeks scheduled | Set out curbside on day |
| Junk-removal service (1-800-Got-Junk) | $75-$200 | Same day or next day | Premium for convenience |
| Free scrap pickup (local hauler) | $0 | Variable | Post on craigslist or call local |
| DIY drop-off at scrap yard | Earn $20-$40 | Your own time | Get paid for the metal |
The scrap value math
A drained 50 gallon residential water heater weighs roughly 130 to 180 pounds, the bulk of which is steel (tank wall, outer jacket, mounting brackets). Steel scrap pays $0.05 to $0.10 per pound at most US scrap yards as of April 2026. A typical electric tank yields $8 to $18 of steel value. Gas tanks have additional brass and copper components (gas burner assembly, controls, connectors) worth another $5 to $15 in scrap. Total realisable scrap value: $15 to $35 typical, up to $40 for a heavier 75 to 80 gallon unit.
To realise this value you need to physically deliver the unit to a scrap yard. That requires a pickup truck or trailer (the unit fits in most truck beds, won't fit in a standard car), 30 to 60 minutes of your time including drive, and the scrap yard's open hours (typically weekday business hours). For most homeowners the $15 to $35 doesn't cover the time and effort. The scenario where it pays: you're already going to the scrap yard with other metal (a renovation project, a cleared-out garage), or you have a friend with a scrap-hauler relationship who picks up.
An honest path that captures the scrap value with zero effort: post a free craigslist or Facebook Marketplace listing for "free water heater curbside pickup" with your address and a photo. Local scrap haulers monitor these listings and often pick up within 24 hours. The hauler gets the scrap value, you get the unit removed for free. Doesn't put cash in your pocket but it's the no-effort solution.
State-specific disposal rules
Most US states allow water heater disposal through residential bulk-waste channels with no specific restrictions. A few states have additional rules worth knowing:
- California: Universal Waste regulations require disposal at certified recycling facility, not landfill. CalRecycle lists facilities by county. Most CA municipalities offer free residential drop-off.
- Oregon, Washington: Similar e-waste and universal-waste rules; certified facility drop-off required.
- Minnesota: Most counties have appliance recycling programmes. Some require demanufacturing fee of $10 to $25.
- New York City: Department of Sanitation accepts water heaters as bulk metal pickup; schedule online; free.
- Most other states: County transfer stations accept water heaters for free or low fee; no special permit needed.
Check with your municipal solid-waste authority for the specific local rule. The variation is genuine but the cost difference between regions is small. For homeowners using Home Depot or Lowes bundled install, this is moot; the contractor handles disposal per local requirements.
What about the refrigerant in HPWH disposal?
Heat pump water heaters contain a small refrigerant charge (typically R-134a or R-410A, more recently R-32 in newer models) that must be recovered and recycled by an EPA Section 608 certified technician before the unit is scrapped. The plumber handling the replacement is responsible for this and includes the cost in the haul-away fee (often free with bundled install, $75 to $150 standalone). DIY disposal of an HPWH is not legal without an EPA 608 certification because of the refrigerant; deliver it to a certified facility or pay for plumber pickup.
Standard tank water heaters (gas or electric resistance) have no refrigerant and can be disposed as plain metal scrap. Tankless water heaters also have no refrigerant. The HPWH-specific disposal cost is one of the few real downsides of the technology but it is small in absolute terms.