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How should I transport a electric water heater safely?

I am buying a electric water heater 50 gallon: can I transport it without damaging it on it's side in the box (horizontaly) or is it better to transport it upright (vertically)? Extra question: Should I shell out an additional $100 bucks for the Wirpool ENERGY SMART Water Heater or just go with a regular one? Thanks

Public Comments

1. I don't see any harm with transporting it on its side. If it's in the box it should be tightly packed so nothing moves around. I don't think it's worth an extra $100 for the "Energy Smart" unless it'll make you worry less. If you live in a cooler climate you can alway wrap your water heater with insulation specific for water heaters. Or you can wrap it with regular insulation. Also, if you find that your water is too hot, you can turn down the thermostat. That'll also save energy.
2. For the first question, if you can get it really tight, vertically is better, but, make sure that the rope is passed around in the upper and lower part. I hope you're talking about a pickup truck! For the 2nd one, just ask the guy is helping you what are the differences.
3. It is better to transport them vertically strapped very tightly. However, you can risk damage to the water heater skirting. On the second question, they do save energy, but depending on how bad your water is - they will last about the same amout of time.
4. If in the packing crate you should be able lay it down but upright is fool proof as long as it is secure and no fast turns in the pickup truck but if you have to lay it down the crate should tell you where the controls are(the front)just make sure they don't face down and you secure the thing so it ain't sliding all over. If the $100 isn't going to break you and you plan on being where the tank is installed for a while I would spend it.
5. AS long as there is adequate packing in the box, it will be ok to transport it on it's side, but be as gentle as possible so as not to damage it. As far as the extra hundred bucks, read the energy guide and compare estimated power usage with other similar units, it may well be worth it in the long run.
6. i transported mine in a truck standing up..... i had to pull over halfway home to tighten the rope... it almost fell over.... you can lay it on its side, just make sure you don't lay it on the fittings or any devices that stick out the side of the heater, lay it on its smooth side
7. It's ok to transport it on it's side. I have done it many times without mishap. It's refridgerators that should be upright at all times. In my opinion the energy savings would be very small.
8. 1. Lay it on its side, gently---best to put the end on the tailgate, then lift the other end and slide in--and pull it out the same way. If you lay it over halfway, then tilt it, it will bend the outside cover of the tank-though it won't hurt anything, just put a ding in it. Sold water heaters for couple of years. Look at the energy ratings and estimated cost on the yellow energy guide which must be clearly visible. Also look at tank life. Most energy efficient heaters, especially electric, are not that much more efficient cost wise to justify the added expense. Tank warranty is important, you can about guarantee that if the tank warranty is 5 years, it will leak before year 6. So figure in the annual operating cost found on the yellow sticker, plus the expected life. I operated the state Energy Star program, and sold water heaters. I bought the cheapest one available, because the energy savings did not outweigh the excessive costs of the more expensive models. But that was a couple years ago--and using more efficient gas water heaters..
9. I always lay them down without incident and the energy smart is a waste of money you are still looking at 2- 4500 watt elements which will draw the same energy.
10. thom is right about the electric usage and laying it on its side.. you just dont want the thing rolling around.. 4500 watts is 4500 watts no matter how u add power to it. i have heard the whirlpool is bad at fixing their sheet. i was looking at getting the 500$ unit with life time warranty.. now i might just go with the tankless