Assuming you take good care of your water heater, you can expect it to last a long time. No water heater lasts indefinitely, though. At some point, you will need to install a new system. The key is knowing when that’s required. There are a number of different signs that you should look for that indicate that your water heater is getting to the end of its life. If you start to notice one or more of these signs, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional about whether or not it’s time to replace the system. We’ve outlined a number of those signs below.
Trouble Meeting Demand
Putting your water heater under a lot of demand, either through a lot of people using hot water at once or using hot water in one location for a long period of time, will eventually overwhelm it. If your water heater is struggling to meet moderate demand the way it used to, though, that might be a sign that the system is reaching the end of its life. The wear and tear the system accumulates over years of normal use will eventually start to negatively impact its operation. There’s not much to be done once the system gets this worn out, aside from replacing it entirely.
High Repair Frequency
Water heaters tend to be sturdier than other systems, since they have fewer moving parts and thus fewer ways for issues to develop. However, you should expect to need to repair your water heater at least a couple of times throughout its lifespan. If you need to repair your water heater multiple times a year, though, it’s time to consider replacing it. Just like with dropping output, the issue in cases like these is usually just built up wear and tear over years. You can keep repairing the system if you want, but that just delays the inevitable and costs you more money in the long run. If your water heater needs to be repaired every few months, it’s better to just replace the system.
Old Age
Assuming you take proper care of your water heater, you can expect it to last 10-15 years. Once a water heater gets older than that, it will start to develop a variety of issues like those we discussed above. The system will gradually become more and more costly to keep up and running. You’ll often save more money in the long run by installing a new system once your current one passes the age of 15 years. If your water heater is older than 15, it’s a good idea to call a professional and ask them to evaluate it for you. It’s probably a good idea for you to replace the system with a new one if your current one is that old.
Douglas Cooling & Heating provides comprehensive water heater installation services in Birmingham, AL. If you need a new water heater installed in your home, contact us for an appointment. We’ll make sure that you get the best water heater for your needs.
