The older your water heater gets, the more efficiency it’s going to lose to accumulated wear and tear. There’s nothing you can really do about this, it’s just a reality we have to accept. Parts wear out, and when enough parts wear out in the same system it becomes easier and cheaper to replace the system than to replace the parts.
So, how do you know when the time to replace your water heater has arrived?
There are a few different criteria that you can use to decide whether your water heater needs replacing. Let’s take a look at some of the more pertinent ones.
Repair Increases
As mentioned above, there’s really nothing to be done about simple wear and tear on your water heater. As with all things, water heaters eventually just wear out. Parts start to lose effectiveness, and eventually they fail. When enough of those parts start failing in rapid succession, it’s a good sign that your water heater is reaching the end of its life. If it seems like you need to have a professional out to service your water heater every few months, talk to them about the possibility of replacing it.
Age
The lifespan of each individual water heater is dictated by its own circumstances. However, it is still possible to estimate approximately how long the average water heater will live. If your water heater is 15 years old or older, then you will probably have to replace it pretty soon. There are, of course, cases where the water heater will last significantly longer. However, 15 years is a good benchmark.
Before the Rules Change
As of April 16th, 2015, new rules will be implemented by the Department of Energy concerning water heater efficiency. These new rules will require that all water heaters manufactured be held to a higher standard of energy efficiency. While a good thing in the long run, water heater prices are expected to spike soon after the rules go into effect. If you’re thinking about replacing your water heater, it would be a good idea to do it before the rules change causes a price increase.
If you need to replace your water heater, call Rentmeister Total Home Service. We provide water heaters throughout the Salt Lake City area.