You usually don’t think about your water heater a lot until it stops heating. And you’re faced with cold showers. It works hard to give your Richmond home with warm water 24 hours a day, and, as expected, it will stop working eventually.
Here’s how long you can expect your water heater to last and some indications that yours is needing to be replaced. Ultimately, how long your water heater will keep running depends on what type you have and how frequently it’s running.
Tank Water Heater
Most people have a tank water heater that contains 40 to 50 gallons of water. This kind continually warms water, so it’s always at the right setting when you need it. Tank water heaters are bestsellers due to their more economical price tag, but they don’t typically work as long as other models.
Here’s how many years you can expect yours to work:
Tank water heaters can stop working due to many troubles, but an oxidized tank is one of the most typical. Your water heater has a special part known as an anode rod that draws corrosive fragments from the water. At some point, the rod will corrode, and particles will increase at the base of your water heater, eating through the lining within the tank.
Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater has a much bigger working life than its tank-style counterparts. These water heaters could last as many as 20 years.
Besides lasting for a longer amount of time, tankless hot water heaters are very energy efficient. Rather than retaining big amounts of water that’s heated continuously, a tankless model warms water when you need it. This gets rid of standby heating and the effect it has on your monthly utility costs.
You might not realize it, but warming up water accounts for a sizeable portion of your heating and cooling bills. In actuality, it’s the second largest source of energy utilization in a standard house, according to ENERGY STAR®.
Tankless water heaters are higher priced than tank water heaters, but they provide long-term energy savings. They are usually 24% to 34% more efficient than a water heater that retains water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
4 Signs Your Water Heater is Dying
Your hot water heater will begin showing signs that it’s breaking down. Here’s what to look for and when to contact a plumbing specialist like Eveready Service Experts .
1. Inadequate Enough Hot Water
This is one of the most typical symptoms that your water heater needs to be replaced. You might have hot water running out more rapidly, or that it requires additional time to get warm water.
2. Leaks
You should call a plumber if you’re seeing water leaks or water accumulating near the bottom of your water heater. In some cases you might just need to have connections secured or a part replaced, but it may also be a symptom the tank is broken.
3. Water Isn’t Clear
If you live in a location with hard water and don’t have a water softener, you’re likely accustomed to having cloudy water. But if your water unexpectedly changes from clear to cloudy or starts smelling metallic, we advise having your water heater checked by a specialist to avoid damaging leaks. Quick changes in your water clarity means sediment is likely accumulating in the tank and corroding it.
4. Strange Noises
It’s typical for your water heater to create some noise as it operates. But popping and rumbling isn’t normal and is a sign you should get pro assistance. As sediment grows in the tank, your water heater has to work harder and could use extra energy in the process.
Eveready Service Experts Makes Water Heater Replacement Fast
Procrastinating water heater replacement could result in that can damage your residence. There’s also the inconvenience of lacking warm water. If your water heater is old or showing signs it needs to be replaced, reach our Experts at 804-548-4480 to get a free home comfort assessment. From capacity to energy efficiency, we’ll review all the options so you can make the ideal decision for your home.