With proper year-round maintenance and prompt repairs and upkeep when needed, a quality hot water heater should last at least a decade or 2, if not longer. In fact, the chances are that you’ve been using the same water heater ever since you moved into your home!
But when is the right time to finally replace a water heater that’s aged to the point where it’s costing you too much money to keep running?
As with so many other things in life, all good things eventually reach their end. Here, you’ll learn what to look for that will allow you to properly identify when it’s time to do a water heater replacement and look into a new water heater installation.
Factors to Consider When Assessing Whether It’s Time to Replace Your Hot Water Heater:
Before we dive in any further, please keep in mind that these signs are not definitive indicators of when it’s time for a replacement. It’s always best to consult with a professional before making your decision.
A professional plumber will be able to tell you if your water heater is still worth repairing.
The Age of the Unit and System
In a typical single family home, most hot water heaters will last between 15 to 20 years. If your water heater is currently older than 20 years, it’s a good idea to do a new water heater installation, even if the old unit still seems to be working well.
A water heater this age will begin to decline very quickly. It’s best to get ahead of the game.
Is Hot Water Volume Being Lost?
When your water heater starts turning out low volumes of warm water, it’s time to start thinking about a new one. Have you noticed that you’ve recently been settling for lukewarm showers when that was never an issue in the past?
This is a major warning sign that your water heater is in decline and you’ll need to swap it out for a new one.
Home Heating Bills Are Rising
Did you know that hot water accounts for the majority of the heating energy you use in your house? A declining water heater will begin to lose efficiency due to age.
When that happens, it’s best to have it inspected by a pro to determine if a replacement would be more cost-effective for you.
Corrosion
In most cases, you won’t see any signs of corrosion on your heater until it’s very old.
When visible corrosion appears, you typically won’t be able to repair it and a replacement will be required.
Water Discoloration
If you notice a red tint coming out of your hot water taps, this means the inside of your tank is beginning to rust out.
It’s time for a replacement.
Excessive Servicing Frequency
If you find yourself calling a plumber for repairs more than two times per year, it’s time to look for a new water heater.
Rather than spending all that money trying to make water heaters last longer, arrange for a new installation.
Water Heater Replacement Doesn’t Need To Be Painful!
The fact of the matter is that making constant phone calls to professionals to repeatedly fix your water heater should not be a part of your life. Once you’ve made the decision to replace your home’s hot water heater, the next question becomes whether you should go with a tankless or conventional storage tank hot water heater. Sure, it may be difficult to let go of that trusty old water heater. But once you have a new one installed, you’ll be happy that you did!