Rheem ELD80-D commercial electric water heater
The Rheem ELD80-D is an 80-gallon Light Service commercial resistance water heater. Its 277-volt, 12.1-kW electrical configuration makes the building supply an essential part of the selection. Water Heating Experts reviews demand, access and installation requirements for Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and nearby Palm Beach County customers.
This guide also retains the comparison with ELD80-TB, a separate range with different electrical options and warranty terms. Match the complete suffix before ordering equipment or parts.
Verified ELD80-D specifications
| Published tank capacity | 80 U.S. gallons |
|---|---|
| Heater type / fuel | Light Service commercial storage tank / electric resistance |
| Electrical input | 12,100 watts total; two 6,050-watt elements |
| Power and wiring | 277 volts; single phase; simultaneous, two-wire operation |
| Published full-load current | 44 amperes |
| Recovery | 81 GPH at a 60°F rise; 61 GPH at an 80°F rise; 49 GPH at a 100°F rise |
| Height × diameter | 59 × 24½ inches |
| Water connections | ¾-inch NPT top connections on 8-inch centers; ¾-inch T&P connection |
| Approximate shipping weight | 200 lb; filled installation weighs more |
| Maximum working pressure / water temperature | 150 psi / 181°F |
| UEF / first-hour rating | Not published for these ELD-D models in the linked product page and specification sheet |
| Standard published limited warranty | 6 years tank / 1 year parts; certificate conditions apply |
Recovery measures water reheated each hour at the stated temperature rise; it is not a first-hour rating or a guaranteed usable draw. Rheem does not give an exact UEF or first-hour rating for this model in these sources. We do not substitute the ratings of the separate ELD-TB or residential product ranges.
ELD66-D, ELD80-D and ELD120-D compared
| Model | Published capacity | Height × diameter | Approx. shipping weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELD66-D | 65 gallons | 58¾ × 23 inches | 170 lb |
| ELD80-D | 80 gallons | 59 × 24½ inches | 200 lb |
| ELD120-D | 119.9 gallons | 62½ × 28¼ inches | 330 lb |
All three share the same published 12.1-kW input and recovery figures. Increasing tank size provides more stored water for a concentrated draw; it does not increase the rate at which these elements replace that heat. We compare the busiest period of use, incoming water temperature and the time available between draws before selecting a size.
Electrical supply and installation planning
Verify 277-volt service before ordering. Rheem lists two 6,050-watt elements operating simultaneously on a single-phase, two-wire supply, with 44 amperes full-load current. That is an equipment load, not a specified breaker size. The installer must match the unit nameplate and wiring diagram, then determine the branch circuit, overcurrent protection, disconnect and grounding for the actual installation. The linked general manual covers multiple configurations; its tables must not be used to assume this model is a 240-volt or three-phase unit.
This resistance heater has no combustion exhaust, gas connection or heat-pump condensate drain. It still needs a suitable indoor location, safe relief-valve discharge, leak management and room to service the elements, thermostats and anode. WHE checks thermal expansion provisions where the plumbing system is closed. The floor must support the filled tank; shipping weight alone is not the installed load.
Rheem lists a maximum water temperature of 181°F. That is a capability limit, not a recommended temperature at a handwashing sink or shower. Storage temperature and point-of-use mixing need to suit the application and protect users from scalding. A large commercial tank should not be selected for a home solely because the gallon count matches the old heater.
Warranty and documentation notes
Rheem’s linked commercial warranty certificate AP23781 specifies a six-year limited tank warranty and one-year limited parts warranty for the original owner, subject to its conditions and exclusions. It does not cover labor for service, repairs or reinstallation, permits, or removal and disposal. Coverage must be checked against the supplied unit and installation records.
There is a conflict within the manufacturer documentation: the March 2025 specification sheet promotes six-year tank coverage on its first page, but its trade-specification boilerplate on page two says three years. The product page, feature sheet and attached warranty certificate support the six-year tank / one-year parts terms above. Confirm the applicable certificate with the supplied heater rather than treating the boilerplate as a separate warranty offer.
Manufacturer references
Verified against Rheem’s ELD80-D product page, Light Service specification sheet RR102CE-12 Rev. 3 (March 2025), commercial electric Use & Care Manual AP17463, warranty certificate AP23781 and ELD-D feature sheet. The unit’s current nameplate and installation instructions govern the final installation.
ELD80-TB and ELD80-D: check the suffix
ELD80-TB — Light-Duty Electric with Terminal Block: Rheem lists 208, 240, 277 and 480-volt options, with single- or three-phase and simultaneous or non-simultaneous wiring available in this range. These are options to verify for the supplied unit, not interchangeable specifications. Its published limited warranty is three years for the tank and one year for parts; Rheem also lists a five-year tank upgrade.
ELD80-D — Light Service: Rheem publishes a 277-volt, 12.1-kW configuration with single-phase, simultaneous operation. Its published limited tank warranty is six years for commercial applications. This 277-volt configuration is not a standard 240-volt residential replacement.
Both pages list 80-gallon capacity. Warranty coverage depends on the applicable certificate and installation conditions; tank coverage does not mean every service or installation expense is included.
Replacing an 80-gallon heater at home?
Start with a residential equipment comparison. Rheem’s ProTerra hybrid heat pump range includes 80-gallon options and is a separate range from ELD80 commercial resistance heaters. Our hybrid / heat pump guide explains the installation considerations.
We review household demand, available electrical supply, tank dimensions, access, airflow and condensate drainage. A commercial tank’s gallon label alone does not establish that it is suitable for your home, and a hybrid needs an appropriate installation location.
What WHE needs to review your installation
Send a clear photo of the rating plate and a wider photo of the existing setup. Include the complete model number, the building’s use and when hot-water shortages occur. We check the proposed heater’s electrical requirements, water connections, removal access and service clearances before confirming the scope.
The estimate depends on the selected equipment, supplier availability and required plumbing or electrical work. Explore our Rheem installation guide or 80-gallon residential options for the next comparison.
Rheem 80-gallon water heater questions
Are ELD80-TB and ELD80-D the same model?
No. Their suffixes identify different Rheem ranges. Match the complete model, voltage, input and wiring arrangement before ordering equipment or parts.
Can an ELD80 replace my home’s current water heater?
That requires an equipment and installation review. Neither the 80-gallon capacity nor the Rheem name confirms compatibility with your home’s electrical supply and hot-water needs.
Is ELD80 a ProTerra hybrid water heater?
No. ELD80 uses electric resistance heating. ProTerra is Rheem’s separate heat pump range, with its own space, airflow and drainage requirements.
Will another 80-gallon heater fit in the same space?
Not necessarily. Dimensions, connection locations and service clearances vary. We also review hot-water performance rather than relying on tank size alone.
How do I request an installation estimate?
Use the booking button and select the free water heater installation estimate. We follow up for project details and confirm equipment availability and scheduling separately.