Does Home Depot take your old water heater?

Quick Answer

Yes, Home Depot does take your old water heater when you purchase a new one from them. Their haul away service will remove and recycle your old unit when they deliver and install the new water heater. This convenient service ensures your old appliance is disposed of properly and makes replacing your water heater an easy process.

What Does Home Depot Do with the Old Water Heater?

When Home Depot hauls away your old water heater, they ensure it is recycled or disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. Here is a look at what happens to your old unit:

Metals like steel and copper are recycled. These are extracted and reused in new products.

Parts that cannot be recycled are taken to licensed waste management facilities. Tanks are drained of any remaining water.
Hazardous materials and chemicals are removed and disposed of properly.
The unit is broken down with the various materials separated for recycling or safe disposal as required.

Home Depot works with certified partners to ensure old water heaters are recycled and disposed of according to all local and federal regulations. You can feel good knowing your appliance won’t end up in a landfill.

The professionals who haul away your old unit are trained in proper handling and recycling procedures. Removing any reusable or hazardous materials ensures the heater has minimal environmental impact when it reaches the end of its useful life.

Other Water Heater Haul Away and Disposal Options

While Home Depot makes water heater removal and disposal easy, they aren’t your only option if you need to get rid of an old unit. Here are a few other possibilities to explore:

Local Waste Management Companies

Many trash and recycling companies will haul away old water heaters for a fee. Prices vary but expect to pay $50 or more. Some may also charge environmental fees for removal of hazardous materials like gas or oil. Check with services in your area to compare pricing.

Scrap Metal Yards

Taking your old tank to a local scrap or metal recycling center is an option. You may even get a small payout for the value of the metal. This requires you to disconnect and transport the unit yourself. Not all yards accept full tanks due to the hazardous materials inside.

Municipal Hazardous Waste Sites

Some cities and towns have hazardous waste drop-off sites for safe material disposal. Check with your local waste management department to see if they allow old appliance drop offs. Fees or restrictions may apply. This is a good option if your heater contains hazardous materials.

Ask the Installer

When having a contractor install your new Home Depot water heater, many will haul away your old one for an added fee. Be sure to inquire about haul away services when comparing installers. Some may bundle it with the installation cost.

While these options get the job done, Home Depot makes removal incredibly simple by taking away the old unit free as part of your purchase. Be sure to take advantage of this convenient service when buying your new water heater.

Does Home Depot Haul Away Other Large Appliances?

Home Depot’s haul away services aren’t limited to just water heaters. They also offer removals for other major appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines and more.

Here are the key details on Home Depot’s large appliance haul away program:

The service is free with a matching appliance purchase and installation.
Covers most major appliances including refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and more.

You must prepare the old unit for removal ahead of delivery of the new appliance.
Haul away is available for both residential and commercial appliance replacements.
They will recycle and dispose of the old appliance properly.

As with water heaters, this convenient haul away option makes replacing any larger appliance much simpler. Home Depot handles removing the old unit so you don’t have to.

One important caveat is that stores may outsource the actual appliance removal and recycling work. Policies for exactly what items they will haul away can vary by location. Check with your local Home Depot ahead of delivery to confirm their specific offerings and policies in your area.

But for most major appliances, you can count on Home Depot to take the old unit away when you purchase a replacement product and installation service. This extremely handy service eliminates the headache of disposing of large old appliances yourself.

Picking the Right Home Depot Water Heater

If you’re purchasing a new water heater through Home Depot, choosing the right replacement unit is key. Here are some tips on selecting the best new water heater for your home:

Consider Fuel Type

Home Depot offers heaters in electric, gas, oil and solar models. Think about your home’s setup and fuel availability to choose the power source that works for your space and budget.

Determine the Right Capacity

Consider factors like family size, usage patterns, flow rates and more when deciding on the tank size. An undersized heater can lead to running out of hot water. Oversized wastes energy.

Compare Efficiency Ratings

Look at the Energy Factor (EF) for tank units or Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) for tankless heaters. Higher ratings mean greater energy efficiency and savings.

Check Warranties

Compare warranty terms, especially on critical parts like tanks and heating elements. Longer coverage provides better protection.

Read Reviews

Check reviews on Home Depot’s site and elsewhere online to learn from other customers’ experiences with specific models.

Research Installation Needs

Factor in space requirements, venting, electrical or gas connections, and other specs of the installation space.

Choosing the optimal water heater takes some research. But with Home Depot’s top brand selection and helpful resources, you can find just the right fit for your home and budget. Don’t forget to schedule their haul away service for easy removal of your old unit.

Home Depot’s Water Heater Brands and Products

Home Depot offers a wide range of water heater types and models from leading brands. Here is a sampling of some top options available:

Brand	Product Name	Details
Rheem	Professional Classic Plus Series	Highly rated gas water heater with great warranties
A.O Smith	Signature Series	Top-selling and efficient gas and electric models
Bradford White	Defender Safety Series	Reliable gas and electric heaters with quality components
Rinnai	Luxury Series	Advanced condensing tankless gas heaters for efficiency
Whirlpool	Energy Star Series	Well-rated, more budget-friendly electric heaters

This wide brand selection allows you to shop by fuel type, capacity, price point and features to get the ideal water heater for your specific needs. Installation and haul away services make the full replacement process easy and convenient.

Home Depot Water Heater Pricing

Home Depot offers water heaters across a range of pricing to fit different budgets and needs. Here is an overview of typical costs for popular water heater types sold at Home Depot:

Electric

Electric heaters range anywhere from $250 on the low end to $1500 or more for larger capacity, more premium models. Expect to spend $500 to $800 for a typical 50 gallon electric unit from a leading brand. Energy efficient or hybrid heaters cost more.

Gas

Gas-powered units start around $500 for more basic models and go up to $2500 or more for larger tanks and top-end products. Plan around $800 to $1500 for a common 40 or 50 gallon gas heater from a major brand. High efficiency condensing models fall on the upper end.

Tankless

Tankless gas heaters start around $500 but average $800 to $1500 for whole-house models from top brands. Electric tankless range from $300 up to $1000 or more depending on flow rate and power. Installation costs are higher for tankless.

Always compare sizing, features, efficiency ratings and warranties when evaluating water heater prices. While you can pay more for premium products, you’ll often find reliable models at accessible prices throughout Home Depot’s selection.

Pros of Buying from Home Depot

Purchasing a water heater through Home Depot offers a number of beneficial perks:

Broad product selection – Choose from all major brands and heater types.
Professional installation – Get help installing a new unit safely and correctly.

Free haul away – No hassle removing and recycling the old heater.
Sales and promotions – Frequent discounts and savings opportunities.
Warranties – Units have manufacturer warranties plus added store protection plans.

Convenience – Easy online ordering and delivery.
Expert advice – Get guidance choosing the optimal product.

With its combination of top brand selection, affordable pricing, and convenient services like haul away, Home Depot is a great option for your next water heater purchase.

Key Takeaways

Here are some key tips to keep in mind when buying a water heater through Home Depot:

Take advantage of their free haul away and recycling of your old unit.
Purchase both the appliance and professional installation to get the best value.

Research sizing, fuel type, efficiency and warranty options before choosing.
Compare pricing across different brands and models.
Check reviews and get help selecting the right product.

Schedule haul away when confirming your delivery date.
Disconnecting the old unit yourself ahead of time is required.

With some prep work and smart shopping, Home Depot makes replacing your water heater smooth and simple. Just don’t forget that free haul away to remove and recycle your old heater!