New water heater sizes?

[Dick2]

The builder put in a square stand to get the 50 gallon water heater up off the floor. If, or when, I have to replace the original water heater, the new diameter for a 50 gallon heater is going to be larger than the original stand. I don't know how much overhang I can get by with, because I don't know the strength of the stand because it is stucko'd over. I assume that there is a 2X4 frame inside the stand, but it may only be covered with 3/4" plywood and some stucko. Maybe it would be best to take out the stand and let the water heater sit on the floor?

 

[Steve@Advance]

Those purchased stands are notoriously flimsy!

Another problem is it will probably be too close to the wall/corner for the larger tank to sit on.

You can add to it, add a larger top, extra legs, or tear it out and start over.

The reason it is on a stand is code. Especially if it is a gas heater, they want it up off the floor where propane or gasoline fumes tend to accumulate. Even electrics benefit from being on a stand, it allows better draining of the pan if there were a leak.

 

[Dopp Creek]

Gas water heaters built since 2003 are Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) and don't have to be on a stand. (Check your local building codes to verify). Not being on a stand can give you some flexibility in placing it.

 

[old]

Gas or electric?? That said if you think about it 50 gal or water be it in a tank that is 5 foot tall or in a tank that is 4 foot tall will weight the same and the tank is self will be very close to the same weight. Takes pretty much the same amount of steel to make a 5 foot tank as it does a 4 foot tanks so the 2 come in around the same weight

 

[D beatty]

My bladder tank and water heater set up off floor in a stainless steel tray with drain to sump pump in case we develope a leak in one of them.

 

[Stephen Newell]

There won't be a huge difference. They are just planning to make them a little larger in order to insulate them better. You should be safe if you make the stand about 3" bigger.

 

[Dick2]

Just measured the stand to be sure. Current stand is 25 inches square X 19 inches high. It is in a corner so a 26 inch pan would have some overhang; fortunately there is space to extend the stand on the two open sides.

 

[moresmoke]

My water heater just sits on a piece of 3/4 plywood on top of an old car rim. Sits high and dry when the water comes up.

 

[Wyokid]

Since you're in Arizona is your water heater in the garage? If it is then fire code require that it be 18" or more above the floor, not so much for natural gas or propane fumes as for gasoline fumes that could be present for cars etc. parked in the garage (although in the times I've been in AZ. or CA very few people use the garage for vehicles, it's more of a bonus room)LOL>

 

[504]

Mine hangs on the wall with two 5/16 hooks and I have never run out of hot water.
I would never go back to a tank heater.

 

[Poppa Noel]

(quoted from post at 08:50:23 11/10/16) Gas water heaters built since 2003 are Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) and don't have to be on a stand. (Check your local building codes to verify). Not being on a stand can give you some flexibility in placing it.

he key word here is RESISTANT so so many take that as proof. It is not.

 

[MarkB_MI]

I'm not sure what you mean about the "new" water heater sizes. They come in all shapes and sizes. True, the newer ones tend to be fatter because of more insulation, but you shouldn't have any problems finding one that will fit in the existing space. You might have to drop down to a 40 gallon heater, but that's plenty for a typical household.

 

[D beatty]

The advantage of tank heater is that if power goes out you can shut water off coming from pump to water heater and shut gas or electric off and have 50 gallons of water to use.

 

[ss55]

Extra insulation does not necessarily mean the feet on the water heaters will move out further. Most of the weight is in the tank. If you are concerned, you could measure feet on the new tank before you buy one, or look up the specifications on manufacturer's websites.