How Often Does a Hot Water Heater Need to Be Replaced?

What is the life expectancy of a water heater?

The lifespan of a water heater will depend on several factors, starting with the brand and quality of manufacturing.  The next factor that will have an impact on the lifespan is the water quality. A home with hard water will find they need water heater replacements more frequently if they don’t follow recommended maintenance practices, like draining and flushing it twice a year.  

With regular inspection, and maintenance routine of draining, and flushing, a quality brand of water heater will have a lifespan between eight and 15 years. Gas-powered water heaters tend to have a shorter lifespan than electric-powered water heaters. 

When should you choose between water heater replacement and water heater repair? 

As a homeowner, expenses like a roof replacement or water heater replacement aren’t something you ‘want’ to do. They’re typically done because you ‘need’ to replace them.  So, if you can postpone a water heater replacement at a cost of around $800 plus installation, that would be your first choice, right? 

So, how do you know if replacement is what you need versus having it repaired? If you’re experiencing any of the following three things, you need a water heater replacement: 

• The Age: If you have a gas-powered water heater that is 10 years old or an electric-powered one that is 15 years old and is having some problems, it is time for a water heater replacement. If you have upgraded to a tankless water heater, you won’t need a water heater replacement for at least 20 years, maybe longer! 

• Increased Energy Bills: If you’re having to crank the hot water up more and more over time to get the water just right, you’re using more energy, electric or gas, and more water.  This is increasing your bills every month. If you can’t relate this increase to anything other than the water heater, replacement is something you should consider, especially when you consider that the water heater accounts for over 10% of your energy bills.

• Water Geater Repair Cost and Frequency: If you’re able to have your water heater repaired instead of getting a water heater replacement, that’s great. Unless you’ve had to call for repair service more than once a year for the last 3 to 5 years.  Take the cost of these repairs and if they add up to one-fourth or more than a new water heater replacement would cost, it is time to get a new unit. 

What is the average cost of a water heater replacement? 

Again, several factors can determine the cost of a water heater replacement. The brand of water heater will be a big factor along with the size of the unit.  Whether you install it yourself or have it professionally installed is a big factor in a water heater replacement. 

A 40-gallon water heater replacement can start around $600 and reach upwards of $2,000 with the more popular brand.  An 80-gallon water heater replacement can start around $2,000 and cost as much as $4,000 for the more popular brand.  This may or may not include the installation cost, which could be charged by the hour or a flat rate, with each plumber having different billing methods. 

What water heater problems can be repaired? 

As we have mentioned, just because you’re having problems with your water heater, replacement isn’t always the only option. Some problems can be repaired and keep you in hot water for a few more years, such as: 

• Water not getting hot can be caused by a few different things, depending on whether you have an electric or gas-powered water heater. With an electric water heater, make sure the circuit breaker isn’t tripped. If it is, flip it back on and you should have hot water in a few minutes. If it trips back off, call a plumber. 
• For a gas-powered water heater that isn’t heating water, check the pilot light and relight if it is out. If it is winter, the water lines could be frozen, and there is nothing more than waiting for them to thaw. If the pilot is on and the water isn’t frozen, call a plumber. 
• Hot water that smells when it comes out of the water heater is typically caused by water sitting still in the tank for a long period. If this is the case, you can flush the water heater, which will usually get rid of that smell.  If it doesn’t call a plumber. 
• Limescale buildup on dishes, in the pipes, and on the faucets is due to hard water caused by minerals in the water. You’ll hear your water heater banging and clanking when that limescale is getting too built up. Following the drain and flush instructions will usually stop this. You can prevent this from happening by installing a water softener at the water’s entry point into your home. 
• A leaking water heater can be caused by a variety of things, including the PRV (Pressure Relief Valve) needing to be replaced, a buildup of sediment in the bottom of the tank causing the tank to crack along the bottom or sides, a loose drain valve that needs to be replaced, or the anode rod has become corroded and rusted and needs to be replaced. You can also check the water connections on the water heater and at the wall to make sure they are secure and tight. If the water is coming from the sides, you’ll need a water heater replacement. 
• Water that gets too hot is usually because the thermostat has been turned up and simply dialing it back down will fix this.  Sometimes the thermostat or heating element has gone out, and both can be replaced by the homeowner or you may prefer to call a plumber.  If the water isn’t getting hot enough, the thermostat may need to be dialed up or it could need replacing. 

In Conclusion

The first step in getting the longest life possible and delaying needing a water heater replacement is to follow the recommendation of routine draining and flushing the unit. If you have hard water, investing in a water softener will help extend the life of your water heater and appliances. Consider that money well spent! If you’d like to learn more, give us a call today at 423-718-7342.