The short answer: An old water heater is mostly steel, so the cheapest route is almost always a scrap-metal yard — many take it free, & some pay you a few dollars for the metal. Otherwise, your plumber can haul the old one when installing the new unit, your city may collect it on a bulky-trash day, or you can drop it at a landfill or transfer station for a small fee. No special “hazardous” handling is needed for a standard gas or electric tank.
Why a water heater is easy to get rid of
Unlike a fridge or AC unit, a water heater has no refrigerant, so there’s no federal recovery rule to worry about. It’s basically a steel tank with some insulation — valuable as scrap metal & accepted almost everywhere. Drain it fully before you move it (they’re heavy, & leftover water makes them heavier).
Your options, cheapest first
1. Scrap-metal yard (often free, sometimes pays you)
Most scrap yards accept water heaters as “light iron” or steel. You typically pay nothing to drop it off, & depending on scrap prices that day you may get a small payment by weight. Tankless units & anything with copper may be worth a little more. Prices change daily, so we say Call to confirm the current rate rather than print a number that’s wrong by next week.
2. Let your plumber take it
If a pro is installing your new heater, removal & disposal of the old one is usually included or available for a small add-on. The easiest option if you’re already paying for installation — just ask up front.
3. City bulky-trash or appliance pickup
Many Texas cities collect water heaters as bulky waste or “white goods” on a scheduled day or by request. Check your city solid-waste page for the rules — some want it at the curb, some want it tagged.
4. Landfill or transfer station
Any landfill or transfer station that takes household junk will take a water heater, usually for a small minimum or per-item fee. Find one near you in our directory & check the listing’s posted fee & source link before you drive out.
Quick checklist before you haul it
- Turn off the gas or power & the water supply first.
- Drain the tank completely — attach a hose to the bottom valve & run it outside or to a drain.
- Cap the gas line if you removed it yourself, or have a plumber do it.
- Get help lifting — even empty, a 50-gallon tank is awkward & heavy.
Related guides
- How to dispose of a refrigerator & appliances in Texas
- Where to dump concrete, dirt & rubble in Texas
- How much does it cost to dump trash in Texas?
We never invent a disposal fee. Every number in our listings links to a dated source, & anything unpublished is marked “Call to confirm.” Here’s our data promise.