When Will My Water Heater Need to be Exchanged? 

You likely don’t think about your water heater at all until it gives up working. And you’re facing cold showers. It works hard to give your the U.S. home with heated water 24 hours a day, and, unsurprisingly, it will give out at some point.

Here’s how long you can expect your water heater to last and some warning signs that yours is needing to be replaced. Ultimately, how long your water heater will keep working depends on what type you rely on and how often it’s on.

Tank Water Heater

Most households have a tank water heater that retains 40 to 50 gallons of water. This kind constantly makes water warm, so it’s always at the proper setting when you desire it. Tank water heaters are popular as a result of their lower purchase price, but they don’t typically work as long as other kinds.

Here’s how many years you can expect yours to last:

• • Gas water heater: 10 years

• • Electric water heater: 12 years

Tank water heaters can fail due to a lot of problems, but an oxidized tank is one of the most frequent. Your water heater has a special part known as an anode rod that clears corrosive fragments from the water. Eventually, the rod will rust, and particles will accumulate at the bottom of your water heater, corroding the lining in the tank.

Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater has a much longer life expectancy than its tank-style equivalents. These water heaters may work as long as 20 years.

In addition to lasting for a greater amount of time, tankless hot water heaters are highly energy efficient. Rather than keeping huge amounts of water that’s reheated all the time, a tankless model heats water when you need it. This does away with standby heating and the effect it has on your monthly utility costs.

You might not realize it, but heating water is a sizeable portion of your heating and cooling expenses. In actuality, it’s the second highest source of energy utilization in an average house, according to ENERGY STAR®.

Tankless water heaters are more expensive than tank water heaters, but they offer long-term energy savings. They are typically 24% to 34% more efficient than a water heater that retains water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

4 Indications Your Water Heater is Dying

Your hot water heater will start to show indications that it’s breaking down. Here’s what to be on the lookout for and when to contact a plumbing pro like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.

1. Not Enough Hot Water

This is one of the most typical clues that your water heater is wearing out. You may have heated water getting depleted faster, or that you need more time for water to heat up.

2. Leaks

We recommed calling a plumber if you’re noticing water leaks or water gathering around the base of your water heater. In some cases you may just need to have connections checked or a piece replaced, but it can also be a sign the tank is broken.

3. Water is Cloudy

If you are in a region with hard water and don’t have a water softener, you’re typically accustomed to having cloudy water. But if your water all of a sudden switches from clear to cloudy or starts smelling metallic, you should have your water heater inspected by a professional to prevent damaging leaks. Quick changes in your water clarity means sediment is likely accumulating in the tank and corroding it.

4. Odd Noises

It’s normal for your water heater to produce some noise as it runs. But popping and rumbling is not normal and is a sign you should get pro assistance. As sediment accumulates in the tank, your water heater has to work harder and might consume added energy in the process.

Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Makes Water Heater Replacement Fast

Putting off water heater replacement puts you at risk of leaks that can damage your home. There’s also the annoyance of not having warm water. If your water heater is past its prime or showing clues it needs to be replaced, give our Experts a call at 866-397-3787 to request a free home comfort assessment. From capacity to energy efficiency, we’ll go over all the options so you can make the ideal decision for your residence.