A sudden voltage increase could overload a heating element of your water heater, burning it out. All elements of a water heater have voltage ratings. Voltages exceeding the rating of an element will burn it out.
When it overheats due to air exposure, this can melt the internal components in the element and cause it to fail. Just like other electric appliances, a power surge can also burn out the heating element. This is because during a power surge, the heating elements can overheat and become damaged.
Heating Element / Gas Burner
With an electric water heater, the water is heated within the tank by an electric heating element. With a gas water heater, a gas burner is the heating mechanism. Both are located at the bottom of the tank.
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.
Conventional storage water heater fuel sources include natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and electricity. Learn more about fuel types available when selecting a new water heater.
Power Surges
Every electrical water heater has a voltage rating, so exceeding that rating can burn out the heating element. You can prevent this from happening at your home by having surge protection installed by an electrician.
According to IBHS, 69% of water heater failures are a result of a slow leak or sudden burst, causing significant water damage. Not only are these claims frequent, but IBHS also estimates that they cost an average of $4,444 per claim.
Dry-fired elements can be recognized in three ways: The zinc plating will have melted or completely burned off, leaving exposed copper. The tubing of the element will be completely annealed (soft) to a point that it can be easily bent in the straight sections of the tube.
The most common failure is a leak in the water storage tank.
A leaking water storage tank requires the water heater be replaced. Leaking occurs when the steel water storage-tank corrodes through.
Water leaks are perhaps the most common type of water heater issue you'll face.
If your main water supply is turned off for any reason, it's best to shut down the water heater as a precaution until the supply resumes. Continuing to run your water heater when the tank isn't full could cause heat damage to the internal components.
A water heater needs to be properly drained as part of its regular maintenance. Over time, sediment builds up in the bottom of a water heater, which can lead to clogs, says The Family Handyman.
There are many circumstances in which the main water supply is turned off. When this happens, many homeowners wonder if it's safe to keep the water heater on of it should be shut down too. In most cases, it may not be necessary to turn off the water heater, but it also won't hurt, either.
Fuel source
Water heaters can be powered in a number of ways; electricity and gas are the most common types, and propane, oil and solar models also exist.
Nationwide, 50% of homes heat with natural gas. The majority of homes in the West and Midwest use natural gas to heat their homes, whereas electricity is the most widely used form of heating for the South. And, while not the most common, propane is another fuel used to heat homes in the U.S.
If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Additionally, some electric water heaters have a circuit-style safety switch located near or on the thermostat.
Water Heater Lifespan
If your tank water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. 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.
How Long Do Water Heaters Last. — The majority of water heaters last between eight and ten years. While ten is the age at which heater replacement is generally recommended, the actual need to replace a heater could arise before or after this timeline.
Corrosion. The life expectancy of hot water heaters will be influenced by the corrosion happening inside the tank. Corrosion is one of the main reasons a water heater will stop working and start leaking. The corrosion process will begin as soon as you put water inside the tank.