you notice a drop in temperature of your water – or erratic fluctuations between hot/cold water. you turn on the hot tap and have no hot water at all (even after waiting a minute or so) you hear unusual sounds, banging or hissing coming from the hot water system. there is water leaking from your hot water cylinder.
A general rule of thumb is that a hot water cylinder should last about 15 years. Most major manufacturers, including Rinnai and Rheem, have a 10-year warranty on their products. If your hot water cylinder is less than 10 years old, we'll almost always consider repairing it instead of replacing it.
Common signs that it's time to replace your water heater include its age (usually 10-15 years), rusty or discolored water, strange noises, leaks or pooling water around the tank, and insufficient hot water supply.
Water heaters show several signs of going bad, including lack of hot water, temperature fluctuations, decreased water pressure, strange noises, rotten egg smell, visible leaks, rusty or discolored water, and increased energy bills. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement.
On average, an electric hot water heater should last around 10 to 15 years. Most manufacturers' warranties are for 10 years. So if you've recently purchased a home with a water tank that's close to 10 years old, you will probably want to budget in replacing it sometime soon.
Pressurised hot water cylinder costs typically fall between around £400 and £2,000. However, this can vary widely depending on lots of factors – such as the cylinder's size, make, model. In particular, which type of unvented hot water cylinder you opt for will play a big part in establishing your overall costs.
Signs Your Water Heater Is Nearing the End of Its Lifespan
Your water heater's age is your first indication of its remaining lifespan. Most heaters have a lifespan of 8-20 years. The serial number (usually found on a sticker on your unit or in your manual) often includes the date of manufacture.
A faulty pressure relief valve, cloudy water, popping noises, and a lack of hot water are other potentially dangerous signs. If you see water leakage, contact a plumbing professional right away to detect the problems with your water heating system.
Poor water heater performance can sometimes stem from an anode rod that's overdue for replacement. If you notice signs of poor performance, such as discolored or rusty water, sulfuric or rotten egg smells, popping sounds from the tank, or high heating bills, inspect your water rod to determine if it needs replacement.
If neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
Verify no voltage with volt meter. Disconnect two wires from top element. Check continuity of element with ohm meter from terminal to terminal (should read around 13 ohms). Check continuity from each terminal to metal tank (should read 0 ohms - anything else and the element needs to be replaced).
Replace your bottle every two years. Regularly inspect for wear and tear.
If your hot water cylinder is getting older than 10-15 years, it's wise to consider replacing it. This can help you avoid unexpected problems and ensure you continue to have a reliable supply of hot water.
Run the cold water tap and see if it comes out clean and clear; then do the same with the hot water. If the hot water is discoloured or smelly, but the cold water is clean and clear, then there is probably something amiss with your hot water cylinder.
Hot Water Smells Strange
As it turns out, you can identify warning signs of hot water heater failure with nearly all of your senses—including scent and taste. A metallic taste in your hot water or a “rotten egg” smell can indicate that there's a problem at hand.
Because there is air in the gas line, it may take up to 90 seconds before the red status light begins to blink. The red status light will blink once every 3 seconds when the water heater is operating normally.
Water leaks are perhaps the most common type of water heater issue you'll face. Any water heater will start to leak eventually, as by nature water will eventually corrode your tank and create microscopic cracks or fractures.
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it's probably reaching the end of its lifespan. Most conventional electric hot water tanks will last 10-15 years maximum. Gas-powered hot water tanks usually breakdown after 8-10 years, while tankless water heaters can last over 15 years with regular maintenance.
If so, you're probably wondering how much a maintenance visit will cost you. The cost of water heater maintenance ranges from $75 to $300+, depending on the following factors: What the plumber checks during a maintenance visit.
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every 6 months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often. Flushing your hot water heater could be necessary as often as every few months depending on the mineral content of your local water supply.
The Lifestory Research 2024 America's Most Trusted® Water Heater ranking is based on 6,547 opinions of people surveyed in the United States over the last 12 months. The most trusted water heater brands in order were Bosch, Whirlpool, Rheem, GE, Kenmore, AO Smith, Ruud, Bradford White, and Rinnai.