Water Heaters - Water heater height

I have a 40 gal gas WH that is about 16 yrs old. I had a leak from another source in the utility room that caused me to check out the WH. I see alot of rust at the bottom edge of the tank. I want to replace it before it leaks all over the basement. It is only 47" high. The elbow that cuts to the flue for the vent is at about 61 " above the floor. I don't see any WD's for sale that are at the same height. I would like to upszie the heater if I can, with a growing family and the addition of a large soaking tub in the new bath. Any help?

Short model water heaters are available. Check the online catalogs at Rheem, State, A.O. Smith, etc.

Water heaters did get a little taller in July 2003 with the FVIR. If you have a conventional flue, you should be able to get one in. If yours is a direct vent, it will be more difficult.

Many heater manufacturers are going to a larger diameter for the increased gallons of their heaters. With so many companies making them it is going to be a search project. You can call plumbing supply houses and of course HD, Lowes and Sears. Good luck.

I looked around for a WH that is the same height as the one I have. I found a few, but they were 40 gal. I contacted AO Smith and they told me I need a 75 gal because of the garden tub I just installed plus all of the other things in the house. They emailed me their catalog but it didnt have a WH that was even close to the height I need. Is there anywhere that I can find a WH that is near 50 inches high? I looked in the internet but came up empty. I have a 40 gal but want to get a larger one. Thanks.

When you change a WH, and especially if you go to one with more gallonage, you are going to have to alter the plumbing and the vent to get the new one in. That's just a fact of life! Unless there is some physical restraint that keeps you from doing it (like having a low boy under a countertop), change the water piping and the vent and install the new one.

I have linked a photo of what I now have for venting. I don't think changing the plumbing will be any problem. Going by the photo, I have 13 inches of room to deal with. How much higher can I go with a new WH and still have my venting correct?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/gregh/IMG_2755.jpg

I looked at that picture It came out good. that T on the vent pipe now. Goes down hill. Dont have to be.Can make that a right out 90o from the vent stack there. New water heater in and just so the vent pipe from it goes up hill a little to the new T should be ok. They way I look at it you can put a tank in about 18" higher. If thats in the basement you might want to put Flow traps in the new water lines on top of the tank. Dont forget to move it over so it dont hit the humidifier there.

ED ;)

Have you considered going tankless? The space wouldn't be a factor at all, and you'd have unlimited hot water for that tub (and everything else).

You could also deepen the floor. I had a buddy of mine do that at his home, basement was only 4 feet high. He jackhammered concrete and made it 8 feet high at one end, to accomodate reuglar appliancxes