What is the Lifespan of Your Home’s Water Heater

Hot water isn’t just a luxury but also a vital part of maintaining your well-being. All this is made possible thanks to a reliable water heater. To avoid experiencing an interruption in hot water flow, you need to be familiar with the age of your unit. When a water heater is approaching the end of its useful life, it typically becomes inefficient and prone to failure. Replacement will eventually be necessary. 

How Long Do Water Heaters Last?

There are several factors that determine the average lifespan of a home water heater, but the main one is the type of heater you have. A water heater can be either conventional (the type with a tank) or tankless (point-of-use water heater).

Water heaters with a tank can last anywhere from 8 to 12 years with proper maintenance. On the other hand, tankless heaters can serve you for up to 20 years or more.

Factors Influencing How Long Water Heaters Last

Your water heater will function for a certain amount of time that is dependent on several factors. 

1. Usage

How you use your water heater in your household affects its lifespan. If you have a large family, your water heater will need to work harder to keep up with demand. This can take a toll on the various components of your system.

Additionally, the greater the volume of water running through your heater, the higher the chance of corrosion. All water has some degree of minerals and other compounds in it, which affect the metal components of a water heater after long-term exposure.

2. Water Quality

Hard water is a great threat to your water heater’s longevity. It contains calcium and magnesium minerals that accumulate and form layers of scale. These layers of scale create insulation between the heating elements and water. Your water heater will have to work longer and harder than necessary to transfer heat to the water. Over time, this constant strain will reduce system efficiency and lifespan. 

Municipal water may also contain soil and rock particles, heavy metals, inorganic salts, and organic matter. Sediment tends to settle at the bottom of the water tank. Over time, the buildup becomes so extensive that it reduces the water heater’s efficiency and capacity. It can also insulate the heating elements and cause corrosion and leaks. If you don’t flush them out, the tank may break prematurely. 

The pH level of your water can affect the water heater’s lifespan. Acidic water is corrosive. It can damage the metal components of your water heater, leading to failures and a complete breakdown. Conversely, alkaline water can cause scale buildup. 

3. Installation

The entire process of a water heater installation, from model and type selection to final setup, directly affects longevity. Selecting the right type and model for your needs involves considering your energy usage, budget, and available space. If your system is too small for your needs, it will strain to provide consistent hot water and potentially wear out more quickly. A water heater that is too large for your home is not ideal either. It will consume a great deal of energy and put unnecessary strain on heating elements.

The point of installation also plays a significant role in longevity, especially for tankless water heaters. If the unit is positioned far from the usage areas, there will be greater heat loss as water travels through pipes. The water heater must work harder and for longer periods of time to heat water to the desired levels. 

A highly skilled and experienced plumber will ensure all connections are secure, all safety and industry standards are adhered to, and the unit is set up to maximize efficiency and performance. Do-it-yourself installation or working with someone under-qualified can increase the likelihood of leaks, pressure problems, and other issues that could shorten the lifespan of a water heater.

4. Maintenance and Repairs

Maintenance is essential to ensure a water heater reaches its expected life expectancy. If you have a tank-style water heater, you should call a professional to flush it and perform maintenance at least once per year. For tankless water heaters, the heating elements and anode rods should be checked for signs of corrosion and scale build-up annually. Regular maintenance also includes inspecting and replacing worn-out parts, insulating pipes, and ensuring the pressure relief valve is functioning properly.

When issues arise, how fast you deal with them will also affect the water heater’s lifespan. When you keep using an inefficient and malfunctioning system, greater damage can occur, which may even cause a complete breakdown. 

Signs Your Water Heater Is Failing

Professional repairs can solve most water heater problems. However, there are times when replacement is the best solution. 

1. Running Out of Hot Water Quickly

If your family requires a lot of hot water and your system can’t seem to keep up with the demand, your tank capacity is simply not large enough for your home. No number of repairs can fix this issue. Rather, you likely should replace your water heater with a bigger unit. 

You should consider a tankless system if your household demands a large quantity of hot water throughout the day.

2. High Energy Bills

If your hot water system was designed to be energy efficient (It came with an Energy Star label) but consumes too much power or gas, there is a problem occurring. You can reach out to our team to have us inspect and fix your water heater. However, if the issue persists or we determine that there is something serious going on, replacement may be the best solution.

3. You Have Discolored Water

If the water from your faucets that are connected to your water heater is brown or red in color, your heater’s tank could be corroded. Such levels of deterioration usually can’t be fixed. The tank will eventually start to leak or fail, leading to potential water damage in your home.

4. Weird Noises

It is normal for water heaters to produce some number of sounds when running, such as gentle humming, occasional hissing or crackling, and low rumbling noise. However, when you start hearing popping, screeching, and sizzling sounds, you should be concerned.

Popping sounds can mean that you have excess mineral deposits and sediments in your heater’s tank. Screeching noise is indicative of restricted water flow. Sizzling sounds, on the other hand, occur when water drips onto the burner or heating element. 

Reach out to Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical for expert advice on extending the lifespan of your water heater in the Weatherford, TX area. If a replacement is necessary, we can assist you with choosing the ideal water heater type and model for your home. We can also provide professional installation services. Our skilled team also offers a range of plumbing services, including faucet and fixture repairs and upgrades, routine and emergency drain cleaning, and water quality solutions.

Call Lightfoot Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical for home water heater replacement, repair, and maintenance in Weatherford.