Signs Your Water Heater May Not Survive Another Summer

Spring is a critical time to evaluate the performance of your water heater to make sure you don’t need to replace it. Most households have an increased demand for hot water during the warmer months. This extra workload can potentially lead to a sudden and costly breakdown, leaving you without hot water until you can get a replacement unit installed. Signs like insufficient hot water, high energy bills, leaks and rusty water are all good indications that you may need a new water heater before summer in Ohio. In this article, we’ll provide a more in-depth look at these issues and discuss everything else you should know about water heater replacement.

How Long Should a Water Heater Last?

How long a water heater lasts can depend on factors like how efficiently it heats, how much use it gets and what type it is. Getting any issues repaired promptly is also hugely important for preventing unnecessary wear and tear that could shorten the unit’s life.

Average Lifespan of a Traditional Tank Water Heater

Traditional tank water heaters last for between eight and 12 years on average. Electric units have a slightly longer average life expectancy than gas units because they aren’t exposed to extreme heat.

Average Lifespan of a Tankless Water Heater

The average lifespan of tankless water heaters is between 15 and 20 years. With regular descaling and maintenance, it’s sometimes possible for a tankless water heater to last for 25 or even 30 years. The main reasons tankless water heaters tend to last longer are that they are more energy efficient and only heat water on demand instead of storing it. Traditional water heaters almost always have issues with the tank rusting over time. If the tank rusts to the point it starts leaking, the only option is to replace the unit due to the risk of the tank bursting.

Warning Signs Your Water Heater May Need to Be Replaced

It’s actually fairly rare for either a traditional or a tankless water heater to just suddenly fail. Instead, you’ll usually start to notice at least some of these signs that indicate the unit should probably be replaced or at least needs to be repaired.

Inconsistent or Lack of Hot Water

Inconsistent temperatures or insufficient hot water can indicate that a water heater is beginning to give out. However, these issues can also occur because of sediment buildup, a failed electronic heating element or a faulty thermostat, all of which are something a plumber can fix fairly easily.

Rusty or Discolored Water

Rusty or discolored water most commonly happens with a traditional water heater and usually indicates that the tank is severely rusted and corroded. Flushing the tank or having a plumber replace the anode rod can sometimes fix the problem, at least temporarily. Depending on the age of the unit, replacing it is still often the better solution.

Unusual Noises Coming From the Tank

Knocking or banging noises coming from the tank indicate that there’s a large buildup of sediment within the tank. As the water gets heated, bubbles rise up and disturb the sediment, resulting in it hitting against the side of the tank. Flushing the tank to remove the sediment can eliminate the problem. However, you usually won’t be able to remove all of the sediment if it’s been more than a few years since the tank was flushed.

Visible Leaks or Moisture Around the Unit

If you notice a visible leak or water on the floor around the unit, you should call a plumber to replace your water heater as soon as possible. It’s not possible to repair a leaky tank, and the tank could burst and cause extensive water damage if you wait too long to address the issue.

Rising Energy Bills

Rising energy bills can also be related to an issue with your air conditioning or heating. If you notice that your energy bills are increasing and your water heater takes longer to reheat or runs more than it used to, it’s a sign that the water heater no longer works properly and will likely need to be replaced.

Repair vs. Replacement: How to Decide

When trying to decide whether it makes more sense to repair or replace your water heater, you need to consider what issue the unit has, how much it will cost to repair and how old the unit is. The age of the water heater is an especially important factor, as it almost never makes sense to put more money into a unit that’s already close to the end of its life.

When a Water Heater Repair Makes Sense

If your water heater is fairly efficient and has at least a few years of life left in it, it can definitely make sense to repair it. However, it still depends on what the repair will cost.

When Replacement Is the Smarter Investment

There are a variety of situations when water heater replacement is a much better investment. This includes if the unit is near the end of its expected lifespan or isn’t sufficiently sized to effectively meet your household’s hot water demand. If you have an older, inefficient unit, upgrading to a new, higher-efficiency water heater can result in significant energy savings. Replacing a tank water heater with a tankless unit can also be a smart decision due to all of the benefits tankless water heaters provide.

Traditional Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters

When you need to replace your water heater, you should think carefully about whether a traditional tank or a tankless unit is the better option for your home. Each one works differently, and they both have some advantages and drawbacks regarding factors like upfront cost, efficiency and energy usage, maintenance requirements and life expectancy.

How Traditional Tank Water Heaters Work

Traditional water heaters use either a gas burner or two electric heating elements to heat the water in the storage tank. Whenever you use hot water, cold water immediately begins flowing through the dip tube and out into the bottom of the tank. This triggers the unit to turn on and begin heating to bring all the water in the tank back up to the set temperature. The thermostat also triggers the unit to run whenever the temperature of the water in the tank drops below a set point.

Benefits of Upgrading to a Tankless System

Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, meaning they only come on when you turn on the hot water at any plumbing fixture. Since they don’t store hot water, you never need to worry about running out of hot water no matter how much you use.

Tankless units also work much more efficiently since they only need to heat a small amount of water at a time instead of having to constantly keep a large tank of water fully hot. Depending on how many gallons of hot water your household typically uses in a day, a tankless water heater will typically use anywhere from around 8% to 35% less energy than a tank unit.

You also don’t need to worry about the water heater bursting and flooding your house. While a tankless unit will cost you more, the longer life expectancy and improved efficiency can make it a more cost-effective option in the long run for many households.

Which Option Is Right for Your Ohio Home

Choosing between a tank and a tankless water heater primarily comes down to what your main priority is. A tank unit is a good choice if you’re looking to spend less up front. A tankless unit is ideal if you have a larger household and frequently run out of hot water or are more concerned with the long-term cost savings.

What to Expect From a Water Heater Installation With Heart of Ohio

At Heart of Ohio, we’re dedicated to providing reliable water heater installation to homeowners throughout Northeast Ohio. Whether you’re installing a traditional or a tankless unit, we’ll make sure the entire process goes smoothly from start to finish.

Professional Assessment and Recommendations

We always start by assessing the household’s hot water demands to determine what size unit will work best. After discussing your priorities and which type of unit you prefer, we’ll then provide you with recommendations on the different models you should consider.

Flat-Rate Pricing and Financing Options

Once you’ve decided which unit to install, we’ll provide you with a full quote on the cost. Our flat-rate pricing ensures that you don’t need to worry about getting overcharged or hit with hidden fees. We also have financing options for new water heaters available on approved credit.

24/7 Availability for Urgent Water Heater Needs

Ensuring you always have hot water is crucial. If your water heater is leaking or stops working, you can turn to us 24/7 for rapid emergency response.

Contact Heart of Ohio HVAC Today

At Heart of Ohio, our expert team is always here to help when you need water heater repair or replacement. We offer a wide selection of tank and tankless water heaters and will ensure you get the best solution for your home. For the best water heater services in Northeast Ohio, look no further than the experienced pros at Heart of Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions