After just three years it has caught a few problems early, saving us tons of money already.Ī trusted plumber can also help you with any repairs or proper installation. In fact, upon installing our new unit, we contracted with our provider. It will also catch problems before they become disasters. PRO TIP: Typically, for a nominal annual fee, HVAC installers will sell you a plan that allows them to keep your water heater in top working condition. Maintenance should also include checking and cleaning of your ignition system and any fuel-related heating elements. Here’s what water heater maintenance includes:Ī typical water heater inspection includes all of the connected pipes the removal of any debris or dust buildup in and around the unit, including a new filter flushing out of the system and checking all valves and the thermostat, including temperature settings. But regularly scheduled maintenance is the best thing you can do to prevent problems and increase the life of your water heater. This is probably our most obvious recommendation and it does seem a bit self-serving. Scaling in your water heater will also be prevented with the use of a whole-house water softener system. Hard water cause scaling, which you can see here on these common household items. If the water leaks onto the unit, it can corrode. In addition, it makes the area around the water leak a perfect environment for bacteria and mold. These leaks not only cost you money, but over time can cause lots of water damage. This is another common issue we see in poorly installed units. A unit too large will consume more energy than is needed to supply your home. If the water heater is too small, it will work too hard to try to keep up with your hot water demands. A unit that’s too small for your home will not provide enough hot water. We see this one all the time due to bad installation practices. And an incorrectly installed flue will allow dangerous carbon monoxide and other fumes into your home. A poorly installed gas line can lead to an explosion. It should never be higher than 140 and only set lower than 120 while on vacation. To save money on energy costs, prevent buildup (called scale), and increase lifespan, the setting needs to be from 120 to 140 degrees. Unlike an explosion, the damage here is over time. Your temperature should be set between 120 and 140 degrees. Although easy to set up, setting the thermostat incorrectly is a common, careless mistake. A blocked or improperly installed TPR is a potential explosion waiting to happen. When the pressure inside your tank is too high, the TPR valve will release it. TPR Valve (Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve).They cause plumbing emergencies and even health risks, not to mention possible explosions and water damage. Here are some of the installation issues we see all the time. But if done incorrectly, it will lead to a shortened and costly lifespan. Obviously, a novice will have little idea if a water heater has been installed correctly. So, from 7 to 15 years of age, all the costs and maintenance will be on you. For example, tank-style electric water heaters usually come with a standard six-year warranty. PRO TIP: Don’t forget to take into consideration your warranty’s length of coverage. Barring any other issues with your water heater, you’ll have good idea if it’s getting close enough to an expiration date to consider a replacement. But if you’re just trying to figure out if you need to replace your water heater, then combine the age with the information in the tables above. Electric Tankless (On-Demand) = 7-10 yearsĮach of the above have their own pros and cons.Electric, Conventional Tank = 10-15 years.Here are some general lifespan averages for the most common and popular styles: How long your unit lasts also depends its type or style. Instead, you need to decode the serial number for your water heater.
You would think that the year of manufacture would be placed right on the label but it’s not that easy. If you don’t remember the year it was installed or don’t have the purchase receipt handy, you’ll need to learn how to read the label. Your first job is to determine the age of your unit.
That’s a pretty big range which doesn’t tell you a whole lot. Generally speaking, you can expect anywhere from 8-20 years of life out of your water heater. Here are the 6 most common variables that make a difference in the longevity of your heating unit: How to Determine a Water Heater’s Lifespanīecause estimating how long a water heater lasts is difficult to determine, we need to understand a few things first. How to Determine a Water Heater’s Lifespan.
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