While today's water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.
Water Heater Lifespan
With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years. A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years. Check your water heater's warranty for the most accurate timelines.
As a general rule, a conventional water heater with a tank will have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. They can even live up to 12 with a mixture of attentive maintenance and sheer good luck. However, serious dysfunction only becomes harder to avoid past the 6-year mark.
Old expiration date
You can find this date by looking for the serial numbers on the manufacture's sticker near the top of the unit. While these stickers vary, the first two numbers typically represent the expiration year. If you discover your water heater is more than 10 years old, it's time for a replacement.
Water heaters typically have a lifespan of about 8 to 12 years, after which they may start to experience problems such as leaks, corrosion, or reduced efficiency, leading to decreased performance and higher energy bills.
If neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
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.
Bradford White water heaters are known for their durability and sturdy construction, providing lasting performance for years. In business since 1881, the company has a long reputation for selling quality products for both residential and commercial use.
Usually if the heater hasn't been drained in 10 years draining it now won't help much but if you want to do it here are instructions. Turn the water off to the tank and turn the power to the heater. Then hook a hose onto the drain faucet at the base of the tank and open the drain.
A professional can sometimes repair these issues, but if your water heater is older, you'll need replacement. For example, a 20-year-old water heater is nearing the end of its service life and will need to be replaced even if repairs are possible.
Water heater leaking from bottom
The fix: Try draining your water heater. This will help flush out the sediment sitting at the bottom of the tank. Refill the heater and see if the leak has stopped. If it hasn't, it likely means that the bottom of your tank is corroded, and the water heater must be replaced.
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.
Sediment can build up over time in a water heater, shortening its lifespan. To prevent this, you should flush your water heater at least once per year. Flushing will help to remove any sediment that has built up and improve the efficiency of your water heater.
AO Smith, State, and Bradford White are all very dependable brands and are known by professional plumbers for top-quality gas and electric water heaters. Master plumber Eddie Heil put it this way, “AO Smith, State, and Bradford White are all great choices in our experience.
On average, water heaters can last 8 to 12 years with proper installation and regular preventive maintenance.
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If your hot water runs out quickly, then you have a heating capacity problem. You might also find that it takes your water heater longer and longer to heat water up. This can mean a problem with the burner assembly or gas valve, which can be expensive to fix or replace.
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.
A: Common causes of water heater malfunctions include sediment buildup, faulty heating elements or thermostats, corroded anode rods, and excessive water pressure. Regular maintenance can help prevent many of these issues.
-Reduced Efficiency: As scaling collects at the bottom of the tank, your water heater will become less effective at heating the water in the tank. -Corrosion: If your water heater goes long enough without a proper flush, you could also have corrosion attacking the tank itself, weakening its structural integrity.
It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year. Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time. Typically, it takes one to two hours to flush a water heater. The size of your tank will impact the amount of time it takes to drain.
Average Lifespan Of A Hot Water Heater
With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.