4 Signs You May Need To Replace Your Water Heater

What does taking a shower, running your dishwasher, and using your laundry machine have in common? If you guessed hot water, you’re right! We rely on water heaters daily, however, when there’s an issue with the system you have to make an important decision — do you have to replace it?

It’s important to consider the age, severity of the problem, and how much money a new energy efficient unit will save and we’ve identified a few tips to help you with that decision.

• AGE: The average lifespan of a water heater is anywhere from eight to 12 years. If your water heater falls in that range, it might be more cost effective to replace the system instead of repairing it. As the water heater ages, it loses its efficiency and will become more prone to failure.
• HIGH ENERGY BILL: We’ve seen some water heaters last nearly two decades, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. The older the water heater, the more energy it takes to keep the system running. In many cases, a water heater can account for up to 25 percent of your home’s energy use. Installing a new energy efficient model will decrease energy costs.
• LESS HOT WATER: Have you noticed your water heater isn’t able to deliver as much hot water as it used to? The most common thing that affects water heaters is sediment buildup, especially as the water heater get older. When water is heated, limescale and any other minerals, form along the sides of the tank and the burner. If these minerals are not filtered out of the water heater, they form a sediment barrier that will settle on the burner and seriously affect your water heater’s performance.
• LEAKAGE/RUST: We suggest you do a visual inspection of your water heater, especially around the base, fittings and plumbing connections. If there is water, sludge, or corrosion, there is likely a leak and it may be time to get a new tank.