You usually don’t think about your water heater a lot until it quits running. And you’re faced with frigid showers. It works hard to offer your Edmonton home with hot water 24 hours a day, and, unsurprisingly, it will stop working eventually.
Here’s how long your water heater will likely last and some warning signs that yours is nearing the end of its life. Ultimately, how long your water heater will last depends on what kind you have and how much it’s running.
Tank Water Heater
Most homes have a tank water heater that holds 40 to 50 gallons of water. This kind continually makes water warm, so it’s always at the proper temp when you desire it. Tank water heaters are popular because of their cheaper purchase price, but they don’t typically work as long as other models.
Here’s how much time you can expect yours to work:
Tank water heaters can fail due to a lot of troubles, but an oxidized tank is one of the most frequent. Your water heater has a special piece called an anode rod that clears corrosive particles from the water. Down the road, the rod will corrode, and grit will build up at the base of your water heater, eating through the lining in the tank.
Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater has a much greater life span than its tank-style equivalents. These water heaters may run as many as 20 years.
Along with running for a longer amount of time, tankless hot water heaters are extremely energy efficient. As opposed to retaining huge amounts of water that’s warmed continuously, a tankless model warms water on demand. This gets rid of standby heating and the mark it makes on your monthly gas and electrical costs.
You might not realize it, but warming up water is a large piece of your energy costs. In fact, it’s the second biggest source of energy utilization in a regular home, according to ENERGY STAR®.
Tankless water heaters are more expensive than tank water heaters, but they offer lasting energy savings. They can be 24% to 34% more efficient than a water heater that stores water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
4 Signs Your Water Heater is Going Bad
Your hot water heater will begin showing indications that it’s wearing out. Here’s what to look for and when to get in touch with a plumbing specialist like McKinley Heating Service Experts.
1. Insufficient Enough Hot Water
This is one of the most frequently encountered signs that your water heater is wearing out. You could have hot water getting depleted faster, or that it’s taking additional time to get warm water.
2. Leaks
It’s time to call a plumber if you’re seeing water leaks or water gathering by the bottom of your water heater. Sometimes you could just need to have connections checked or a piece replaced, but it could also be a sign the tank is compromised.
3. Water Isn’t Clear
If you live in a region with hard water and don’t have a water softener, you’re typically accustomed to having cloudy water. But if your water suddenly switches from clear to cloudy or starts smelling metallic, we recommend having your water heater inspected by a professional to stop damaging leaks. Immediate changes in your water clarity means sediment is possibly growing in the tank and rusting it.
4. Strange Noises
It’s expected for your water heater to make some noise as it operates. But popping and rumbling is not normal and is a hint you need pro assistance. As sediment accumulates in the tank, your water heater has to work harder and may need more energy in the process.
McKinley Heating Service Experts Makes Water Heater Replacement Fast
Putting off water heater replacement could result in that can damage your house. Also, there’s the irritation of not having warm water. If your water heater is past its prime or showing signs it needs to be replaced, contact our Experts at 780-800-7092 to request a free home comfort assessment. From capacity to energy efficiency, we’ll review all the options so you can make the right decision for your house.