Probably the biggest motivation to be proactive with your water heater replacement is to avoid a water heater disaster. An aging water heater can develop leaks, which can lead to costly water damage and avoidable repairs to flooring and walls. Replacing a water heater is already a large expense.
Replacing it before it fails can help avoid these potential issues. In summary, if your water heater is older, showing signs of wear, or has become inefficient, it may be wise to replace it before it fails completely. This proactive approach can save you money and prevent potential damage to your home.
A Corroded Water Heater Could Cause Significant Damage
If the tank rusts through, it could fail catastrophically and flood your home. You can avoid this disaster by replacing your water heater before it fails.
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.
It's generally a good idea to replace a water heater before it fails if it's reaching the end of its expected lifespan (usually around 10-15 years). Replacing it proactively can prevent potential water damage and inconvenience when it does fail.
How Long Will My Water Heater Last? On average, water heaters can last 8 to 12 years with proper installation and regular preventive maintenance.
If you suspect your water heater is more than 10 years old—it is time to consider replacing it before you're left with an emergency decision. To determine the age of your water heater, you'll need to identify the Brand Name and Serial Number for your unit.
Next up, reliability. Yes, a 20-year-old water heater is a trooper, but let's face it, it's way past its prime. Most water heaters have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, and after that, the risk of malfunctions or a total breakdown increases dramatically.
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.
Once you decide to (or are forced to) replace your current water heater, there are a few decisions you need to make to get the process started. If there are no issues or complications, a licensed plumber should be able to complete the process in 2-3 hours.
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.
In most cases, the water heater is the exact same whether it comes with a 6-year, 9-year or 12-year warranty. Any money spent buying a 6-year heater versus a 12-year heater warranty is much more like insurance than investing in a better product.
Water Heaters May Be Covered as Personal Property
In some rare cases, the water heater itself may be covered as personal property. This means that it can be replaced or repaired if a loss occurs due to a peril that's covered by your insurance policy, such as: A fire in your home. Hurricanes or tornadoes.
In certain circumstances, like if you have a leak or need to repair or replace your water heater, you must turn off the water before doing so, else you risk a flood.
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.
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.
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.
Anode rods require routine inspection and replacement, approximately every three to five years. Without proper maintenance, the anode rod loses its ability to divert damaging particulates from your tank and can accelerate rust and corrosion from chemical reactions, excessive heat, and imbalanced pH levels.
That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, leaks around the base of the tank or operates erratically, it's probably time to replace your water heater.
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.
The average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $700 to $1,800 for an electric unit or $1,000 to $3,100+ for a gas unit, including labor. A 50-gallon water heater costs $500 to $2,100 for the unit alone, depending on the fuel type, energy efficiency, features, and brand.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Tankless Water Heaters
The initial cost of a tankless water heater is greater than that of a conventional storage water heater, but tankless water heaters will typically last longer and have lower operating and energy costs, which could offset their higher purchase price.