How Long Do Water Heaters Typically Last

Are you asking, "how long do water heaters last?" If so, you're in the right place. Our complete guide covers service life, signs you need a new water heater, and why yous should get out replacement to a pro.

Disclaimer: REthority is supported by ads and participation in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click our links.The data included in this post is for advisory purposes simply and should not exist taken equally legal or financial advice.

How Long Practise H2o Heaters Final?

Standard water heaters last between eight and 12 years. Tankless water heaters final for up to 20 years. But this largely depends on the quality of the appliance and how well you lot maintain it over the years.

And so how long should your h2o heater final? The answer depends on several considerations, including:

Design. Standard water heaters with a tank typically final eight to 12 years. Tankless h2o heaters are ofttimes good for up to twenty years.
Energy source. Electrical h2o heaters often final a few years longer than gas-fired water heaters.
Maintenance. If you regularly drain and flush your h2o heater to remove sediment, it tin can extend the unit of measurement'southward life. A well-maintained water heater may last up to 20 years.
Water quality. Water with a high mineral content can crusade the heater tank to fill up with sediment, shortening the unit of measurement'southward life.
Size. If your water heater tank is too small for your needs, it can crusade the heater to piece of work too hard, shortening its life.
Water pressure. Too much water pressure level tin damage the unit and pb to leaks, requiring it to exist replaced sooner.
Location. A water heater in the attic or a second-floor closet may not wearable out whatsoever sooner than one in the garage. Only the risk of expensive water damage from a leaky upper-floor heater is much higher.

Many things, including h2o heater location, are of import considerations affecting the useful life of your water heater. All the same, keeping your appliance in tip-top shape is the most critical affair y'all can do.

Signs You May Need a New Heater

The most obvious sign that your water heater is due for replacement is that it has extended its planned service life. If your heater is over 10 years old, y'all may want to consider replacing it.

It can be tricky to effigy out how old your heater is . You may need to call the manufacturer. Odds are a decade-old heater won't last much longer.

Rusty Water Heaters

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While yous can fix some water heater problems, a leaking tank can't usually be repaired. If your hot water is rusty or discolored, it's likely a sign that your water heater tank is seriously corroded.

This is another trouble that tin can't usually be fixed without replacing the water heater. A rusting tank is likely to shortly start leaking from the bottom, so don't wait too long after seeing rust in the water to take action.

Rust around the pressure relief valve is another sign that your heater is near the finish of its life. A noisy h2o heater may not require replacement.

Replace It Early on

It tin be much more user-friendly to schedule a replacement now than to have it quit over a long holiday weekend when you accept a houseful of guests.

Also, recall the risk of water damage from a leaking h2o heater. If your water heater is leaking, replacement is likely necessary.

Not Plenty Hot Water

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Finally, the most mutual complaint almost water heaters can be a sign that the unit is ready to be replaced. That is, water that isn't hot plenty or not plenty hot water.

Either of these problems can signify that a thermostat or heating element is bad or needs to be cleaned of scale. And it'south pretty evident when this is necessary.

If cleaning the heating element and thermostat doesn't produce enough hot water for a long, steamy shower, replacement is probably the next pace.

Information technology'south Making Noise

However, it does likely need some maintenance. Draining and flushing sediment from the tank can oft repose a groaning, clattering water heater and likewise helps extend the heater'southward life.

However, if the noisy tank can't be drained, because for example the valve is blocked by sediment, information technology'due south time to consider replacement.

Ways to Avoid Replacement

Often a non-working hot h2o heater tin can be repaired, sometimes quite easily. For instance, say your h2o heater of a sudden stops making hot water.

Check Circuit Breakers

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The solution could be every bit simple as replacing a blown fuse or flipping a excursion breaker. If the circuit keeps breaking, at that place may be a bigger problem with the wiring or the heater itself, requiring consummate replacement.

Relight the Pilot Light

When information technology comes to gas heaters, a common problem is a pilot calorie-free that has gone out. Relighting the pilot light tin oft solve this problem.

If the airplane pilot light won't stay lit or the main burner still won't come up one, replacing the sensor that determines whether the pilot is on is a relatively easy and inexpensive repair inside the ability of many homeowners.

Supplant Heating Elements

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Thermostats and heating elements are ii water heater components that often have to exist replaced during the apparatus's normal service life.

Fortunately, replacing or cleaning a thermostat or heating element is something a moderately handy practice-it-youselfer can probably manage.

Even meliorate, sometimes the problem can exist eliminated by simply increasing the temperature setting on the thermostat.

What to Do at Replacement Time

Replacing a water heater is frequently not overly complicated. Homeowners with basic skills at plumbing and electricity may consider water heater replacement a suitable do-it-yourself projection.

However, earlier committing to have information technology on rather than calling in a professional, it'due south a adept idea to consider some potentially complicating factors. Disposing of the one-time unit is one issue.

This is not something you tin can ordinarily leave out by the curb, even if your disposal service has a special mean solar day prepare aside every now and then for hauling off big items.

H2o Heater Disposal

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Typically, an old water heater has to be taken to the landfill or a recycler by whoever removed it. And a water heater can exist exceptionally heavy, peculiarly if it has become filled with sediment.

If yous don't take a good manner to haul information technology off, it may be easier and wiser to leave it to a plumber. Also, replacing a water heater is oft more circuitous than it appears.

Because h2o heaters last many years on average, your customs is likely to have updated its edifice code since your heater was originally installed.

Check Building Codes

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It may not be sufficient to exercise the new installation in the same way the erstwhile one was done. The new building lawmaking may require many improvements, such as vents, water collection pans, and drains.

It's not unheard-of for the installation costs, including updating to match the new building code, to be more than than the cost of the h2o heater itself.

Local plumbers know the code and how to brand sure the installation is done correctly. Leaving it to the pros will save y'all liability, time, and fifty-fifty coin.

Even better? Nosotros partner with Networx to connect you with pre-vetted contractors who volition give free quotes. Simply click the button in the box below to get i or more estimates.

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And so, How Long Does a H2o Heater Terminal?

Yet request, "how long does a water heater final?" Nosotros hope not! That means we did a poor job of answering your question. Nevertheless, consider this basic idea.

A water heater that is more than 10 years one-time or showing signs of age, such equally leaks, noise, rusty water, and insufficient hot water is likely most the end of its useful life.

While it may be possible to keep the heater going for a few more years, it can be smarter to replace it now before any damage occurs.

After that, with proper maintenance and a little luck, the new h2o heater will do its essential work without attracting whatsoever notice for another proficient, long spell.

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