A dolly and/or very strong helper is usually required to remove an old hot water heater.
The average water heater weighs about 150 pounds.
And, since they need replacing every few decades, you might just have to lift one yourself one day.
Municipal garbage services will also come pick one up sometimes, for an extra fee.
The 150-pound weight given above is the weight of an empty 50-gallon hot water heater, which gives you a good idea of how much a full tank water heater will weigh.
Considering that 50 gallons of water weighs around 417 pounds, a full hot water heater can weigh upwards of 500 to 600 pounds.
In other words, be sure you drain it first before attempting to move it!
Fun Fact
The hot water heater equates for about 25% of a home’s energy usage, which shows just how much energy could be saved with tankless systems that heat water on demand, rather than heating up gallons of water that have to be kept hot with a constant gas light until that water is used.On any given day the American household will use between 80 and 120 gallons of water for laundry, washing dishes, showers, and more.
Sources:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/water-heater/replacing-a-water-heater/view-all/
https://www.bobsheating.com/blog/5-mind-blowing-hot-water-heater-facts/