---
title: "Refrigerator vs water heater — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Refrigerator is 1.8× water heater on weight. Compared on 6 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/refrigerator-vs-water-heater/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Refrigerator vs Water heater

**Refrigerator vs water heater: Refrigerator is larger on weight**

Refrigerator is 1.8× water heater on weight.

A refrigerator and a water heater can be compared on 6 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | Refrigerator | Water heater |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 70–170 kg | 40–100 kg |
| Height | 150–185 cm | 120–180 cm |
| Typical lifespan | 10–17 yr | 8–15 yr |
| Typical cost | 500–3,500 $ | 500–2,500 $ |
| Power draw | 35–90 W | 3,000–5,500 W |
| Volume | 340–740 L | 110–300 L |

## What the numbers say

- Refrigerator is 1.8× water heater on weight.
- Refrigerator is somewhat greater than water heater on height — about 1.2×.
- Refrigerator is somewhat greater than water heater on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.
- Refrigerator is somewhat greater than water heater on typical cost — about 1.3×.
- Water heater is 82× refrigerator on power draw.
- Refrigerator is 2.7× water heater on volume.

*Weight compared.*

- Refrigerator: 70–170 kg
- Water heater: 40–100 kg

## Refrigerator

An insulated cabinet that keeps food cold, normally with a separate freezer compartment.

## Water heater

A tank or on-demand heat exchanger that supplies hot water to a building.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, refrigerator or water heater?

Refrigerator is 1.8× water heater on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do refrigerators and water heaters compare on height?

Refrigerator: 150–185 cm. Water heater: 120–180 cm. Refrigerator is somewhat greater than water heater on height — about 1.2×.

### How do refrigerators and water heaters compare on typical lifespan?

Refrigerator: 10–17 yr. Water heater: 8–15 yr. Refrigerator is somewhat greater than water heater on typical lifespan — about 1.2×.

## Related pages

- [Refrigerator vs washing machine](https://atoneplace.net/vs/refrigerator-vs-washing-machine/)
- [Oven vs refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/oven-vs-refrigerator/)
- [Washing machine vs water heater](https://atoneplace.net/vs/washing-machine-vs-water-heater/)
- [Freezer vs refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/freezer-vs-refrigerator/)
- [Oven vs water heater](https://atoneplace.net/vs/oven-vs-water-heater/)
- [Clothes dryer vs water heater](https://atoneplace.net/vs/clothes-dryer-vs-water-heater/)
- [Clothes dryer vs refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/clothes-dryer-vs-refrigerator/)
- [Dishwasher vs water heater](https://atoneplace.net/vs/dishwasher-vs-water-heater/)
- [Dishwasher vs refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/dishwasher-vs-refrigerator/)
- [Refrigerator vs treadmill](https://atoneplace.net/vs/refrigerator-vs-treadmill/)
- [Air conditioner vs refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-refrigerator/)
- [Gorilla vs refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gorilla-vs-refrigerator/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)
- ENERGY STAR Product Specifications — US Environmental Protection Agency (https://www.energystar.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]
- Residential Energy Consumption Survey — US Energy Information Administration (https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/) [Public domain (US Government)]