Is It Time to Replace My Water Heater?

You depend on your water heater more than any other appliance, so it’s a real disruption when it breaks down. Because you don’t want to be without hot water for a day, it’s best to replace your water heater before it quits on you for the last time.

Here’s how to tell if your water heater is on borrowed time:

Consider Age

How old is your water heater? Life expectancy for a tankless water heater is generally a couple of decades, while a conventional tank water heater will last around eight years. If you don’t know your water heater’s age, take a look at its rating plate. The rating plate contains the model and serial numbers, manufacturer, size, and other important information.

Many manufacturers bake the date of manufacture into the serial number, so determining its age might take a little decoding. For example, if the serial number begins with 1198, that usually means the unit rolled off the factory floor in November 1998. Again, this all depends on the brand. Many of them have their own unique way of displaying this information. Take a picture of the rating plate and do some internet research.

Less Hot Water

One of the most apparent signs of a water heater dying is that it’s producing less heat than it used to. Are you finding that you need to turn your faucet more and more to the hot side for it to reach the desired temperature?

Increasing Bills

Even if you do not need to keep turning your faucet towards hotter settings, you may have an increasingly inefficient water heater. If this is the case, your water heating bills will increase over time.

Rusty Water

If your hot water has a rusty tint, that may be the result of an aging water heater. However, it could also be the result of another issue such as damage to the public water supply that’s affecting everyone in the area, or a problem with your plumbing that’s unrelated to your water heater. However, if you turn on cold water and it’s no longer rusty in color, you’ve narrowed it down to your water heater.

Leaky Tank

If your water heater is leaking, that’s an indication that it may be nearing its end date. However, a leaky tank might be able to be fixed. Have it inspected by a water heating professional to determine the best course of action.

If your water heater is no longer reliable, turn to the pros at Quality First Service Group for an expert repair or replacement. To schedule your appointment, call (720) 548-2770.