Imagine you’re in the shower, scrubbing away while belting out your favorite tune, when BAM! You get hit with a sudden blast of cold water. Now, if you’re lucky, it’s due to a glitch and you’re back to your steamy Water Heater Birmingham shower in no time. But if your water heater is approaching the end of its useful life, you might need to replace it – and pronto.
So that begs the question: How long does a water heater last? The answer is somewhere between 8 to 12 years, on average. That’s a fairly wide range, we know. Here are some of the determining factors.
Average Lifespan
Water heater longevity can vary greatly, depending on the type of water heater, quality of the unit, water condition, and how well and often it’s maintained.
A traditional tank style unit lasts an average of 8 to 12 years, while a tankless heater can last 20 or more. Why the difference? A tank-style water heater has an anode rod that protects the interior of the unit by attracting corrosive particles to itself. Eventually, the anode rod corrodes so much that it can no longer do its job and those particles begin to settle at the bottom of the tank. Over time, this sediment starts to corrode the tank interior and cause the water heater to fail. The good news, tank style units can last longer with regular checks of the anode rod and replacing it periodically.
A tankless or on-demand water heater does not store a continuous supply of water, therefore there is no need for an anode rod. Instead, it heats water when you need it, on demand. As a result, it can last significantly longer than its tank-style counterpart.
Finding the Unit Age
Sometimes the date of manufacture is clearly stamped on the water heater, thus eliminating any guesswork. Other times, you’ll have to look a little harder. Many water heater manufacturers use a code within the serial number to indicate date of manufacture. It will typically start with a letter indicating the month (A=January, B=February, C=March, and so on) followed by two numbers for the year. So, if you see a serial number that starts with D12, it was likely manufactured in April 2012. Check with the company if you’re unsure.
Warning Signs of Failure
As your water heater enters the second half of its expected life, be on the lookout for:
• Banging, clicking, or other unusual noises. This is often a sign of sediment build-up, which can begin to corrode the interior. Flushing the unit should help, as will having a home water softener installed, which provides numerous other advantages, as well.
• Red or yellow tinted hot water could be a sign of rust. If this occurs with cold water, too, it could be caused by rusting pipes rather than the water heater.
• A drop in water temperature either when you first run hot water or during use.
• Signs of a leak at the base of the water heater. A leak could be from a fitting or valve that needs tightening or from the tank itself, indicating a crack or internal corrosion.
It’s also common for a family to simply outgrow their water heater. While a 40-gallon tank may have once been adequate, all it takes are a couple more mouths to feed before you need more hot water, too. No matter what the situation, Eagle Service Company is on hand to help you enjoy all the hot water – safely supplied – your family needs. Contact us today or anytime for service.
