How Long Does A Hot Water Heater Last

Solved! This is How Long a Water Heater Actually Lasts

Savor lower energy bills—as well every bit uninterrupted access to hot showers—by keeping tabs on your hot h2o heater's age and condition so you'll know when to replace it.

How Long Does a Water Heater Last

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Q. We just bought a firm, and the previous owners told us that the water heater is about 6 years onetime. Does that hateful we'll have to replace it soon? How long do h2o heaters terminal?

A. As long as it's nevertheless heating water sufficiently, without leaks or foreign noises, yous might get a few more years of service from it. A water heater'southward useful life varies, depending on the blazon of water heater, the quality of the unit, and how well it's been maintained.

If you're wondering, "How long do h2o heaters last?" go along reading to notice out the signs of aging and what to consider when planning to update an old h2o heater.

A Water Heater'south Life Expectancy

There are many factors that affect a water hexater's life expectancy. In addition to its age and whether it receives regular maintenance, the quality of the water and the levels of regular usage likewise bear upon the water heater lifespan. While a water heater may be able to outlast boilerplate estimates, in that location are expectations for how long a h2o heater volition last based on type.

A traditional tank-type water heater lasts an average of 8 to 12 years.

Within the tank, an anode rod protects the interior lining by attracting all corrosive particles to itself through a process called electrolysis. When the rod has corroded to such an extent that information technology can no longer do its job, those particles settle at the bottom of the water tank, where they may eventually destroy the lining. In one case corrosion starts inside the tank, the water heater has entered into its final phase of life.

RELATED: All-time Water Heaters for Homeowners

how long do water heaters last

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A tankless water heater tin last upwardly to 20 years, sometimes fifty-fifty longer.

Also chosen "on-demand" water heaters, these appliances do not work continuously to maintain a supply of hot h2o—and, as a result, they concluding longer than their tank-fashion counterparts. Eventually, though, tankless water heaters (which do not use anode rods) may also suffer from corrosion and require replacement.

how long do water heaters last

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Your existing water heater'south series number holds the inkling to its historic period.

Even if you tin can't track downwards the documentation for your current apparatus, you can examine the serial number, which consists of a letter followed past a series of numbers, located on the upper portion of the h2o heater to decide when information technology was manufactured.

Typically, the letter stands for the month—"A" for January, "B" for Feb, and and then on, through "L" for December—and the next ii numbers indicate the year it was made. A series number that leads with "A10," for example, was manufactured in January 2010. This dominion of thumb applies to most hot water heater manufacturers, just you lot can confirm this on the company's website if you accept any doubts.

RELATED: Choosing a New Appliance: Gas vs. Electrical H2o Heaters

Signs Your Water Heater Might Exist on Its Last Legs

More than merely maintaining your water heater according to the manufacturer's instructions, it's important to regularly cheque the performance of a hot h2o heater to make sure it's performing optimally. Fifty-fifty though all appliances have an average lifespan that's based on typical utilise, it's a good idea to start shopping for a replacement if y'all notice any of the following signs.

A banging or rumbling racket oftentimes occurs near the end of a h2o heater'south lifespan. While manufacturers recommend annual flushing of a tank-style water heater—and it'south a requirement for keeping a warranty in effect—few people really follow that suggestion, so calcium buildup from hard water collects in the bottom of the tank. The sediment builds, hardens, and eventually forms a thick crust that can crusade the h2o heater to crepitate and bang when in use.
The hot water smells odd. If there is a weird smell or taste to the hot water, and so something may be contaminating the water tank. Information technology could be metal that's captivated in the h2o, or information technology could be bacteria collecting within the tank. If cleaning the tank doesn't solve the trouble, it may be time to call a plumber.
Tinted hot water, either red or dirty yellowish, coming from whatsoever faucet could mean rust. It's important to decide whether the discoloration also appears when the cold water is running. If not, a corrosion problem probably originates within the water heater rather than within any rusting galvanized piping.
A drop in water temperature may happen. If water doesn't heat upwardly as much every bit it used to or it doesn't stay at the desired temperature for as long, the water heater may be nearing the end of its service life.
At that place's less hot h2o than there used to be. Buildup of sediment tin happen within the h2o tank over fourth dimension and decrease the space within the tank for h2o. If the hot water is running out quicker, the tank may need to be drained and cleaned. Waiting besides long to clean the tank may force a replacement.
Water pooling effectually the base of a water heater tank also suggests bad news. First, check to make sure the leak isn't coming from a fitting or valve that just needs to exist tightened or replaced. Call in a professional person to bank check out the problem and perform any necessary maintenance. If you find the leak comes from the tank itself, it may be croaky or corroded internally.
Hard water is affecting the water quality. Hard h2o wreaks havoc on a water heater and can reduce its service life past 2 or more years. If you detect white limescale building up on plumbing surfaces, the water heater may need to be replaced more oftentimes.
Location can bear on the heater's lifespan. H2o heaters located in garages or crawl spaces, where the temperature drops significantly, accept to work harder to heat the water, and they tend to vesture out more than quickly than units installed in a temperature-controlled firm. If either of those elements factor into your setup, get-go looking for end-of-life alert signs earlier than the manufacturer recommends.

how long do water heaters last

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Planning Ahead to Replace a Water Heater

Replacing a hot water heater is not an unusual project, but information technology does crave some essential planning. Depending on whether it'due south a standard tank or a specialized electric tankless water heater, lead times for ordering a replacement can vary.

Likewise, scheduling fourth dimension with a professional plumber to make the switch when it isn't an emergency tin can salve on actress installation fees. About important, knowing the exact hot water heater that'due south desired before the current one is at the end of its life can make the procedure become much more than smoothly.

Remember two years beyond the predicted lifespan of your water heater.

Consider the standard h2o heater life expectancy for the current model. When a tank-way water heater approaches 8 to 10 years of age, or a tankless water heater approaches 15 to 18 years of age, it's fourth dimension to first thinking virtually replacing it. Not but volition this help avoid the badgerer of breakage and the inconvenience of having no hot water, merely information technology as well minimizes excess energy consumption.

Have advantage of the energy-saving tech features newer models offer.

After several years of apply, either type of water heater is subject to mineral deposits and sediment buildup that tin cause it to require more power to estrus water, reducing the appliance's overall efficiency. Install a replacement, though, and the combination of a decade's worth of technological advances and the new model's clean interior mean that your utility bill is certain to drop in the months to follow.

Start looking for a new water heater earlier information technology'southward needed.

Waiting until it's an emergency or extremely inconvenient can make the procedure of replacing a water heater more than difficult and expensive. If the electric current h2o heater is showing signs of aging, start researching the options and talk with a professional about scheduling fourth dimension for assessment and possible replacement. While information technology can accept but a few days to receive a standard water heater and just a few hours for a professional to replace it, having a plan in place before it breaks volition exist valuable.

RELATED: Solved! How to Select the Correct Water Heater Size

Call the manufacturer if the water heater is nonetheless nether warranty.

While many issues can indicate the end of an aging water heater'south life, if your unit is only a few years former, the problem could be repairable and under warranty. It may be worth calling the manufacturer or a plumber to check the apparatus before you lot invest in a new model. Fixing an older unit of measurement volition as well provide you more than fourth dimension to select its eventual replacement.

how long do water heaters last

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Final Thoughts

Hot h2o heaters accept become essential parts of the modernistic home, only not actively considered until something goes wrong. Similar other functional elements—roof, windows, electricity, and stairs—in a abode, it's of import to periodically check on their functioning to avoid a potential problem. Knowing the of import warning signs that point that a hot water heater may demand to exist replaced soon and what to consider when replacing a hot h2o heater, can relieve time, stress, and money.

FAQs About Water Heaters and How Long They Terminal

Q. How long does it have to install a water heater?

Most professional plumbers can install a h2o heater in a few hours.

Q. Tin can a h2o heater final thirty years?

It is unusual for used water heaters to last 30 years. Most tank water heaters take an average lifespan of eight to 12 years, and tankless water heaters tin can terminal as long every bit twenty years.

Q. How much does it typically cost to replace a hot water heater?

The cost to replace a used water heater depends on your location, where the heater is located in the habitation, the type of hot water heater being installed, and whether or not it is an emergency. Typically, the cost range starts from about $1,000.

Q. Is it possible to repair a leaking water heater?

Yes, it is possible to repair some water heater leaks. If the leak is coming from the pressure level relief valve or bleed valve, at that place could be a uncomplicated crusade like buildup of minerals from the h2o. Fixing information technology may be as simple as tightening a connection or changing a washer, merely it can also be a more complicated gear up that is best handled past a professional.

For prophylactic reasons, ever close off the water supply before tinkering with a hot water heater.

Q. How many showers can yous take with a l-gallon h2o heater?

It depends on the length of the showers. A 50-gallon water heater can supply about 35 gallons of hot water in an hour. On average, a typical shower uses about 2 gallons per minute and a total of virtually 17 gallons of water.

It might exist time to call a pro

Get costless, no-delivery repair estimates from licensed plumbing experts almost you lot.