How Long Do Water Heaters Last?

Get comfort and efficiency with a water heater from P. Gagnon & Son!

Did you know that water heaters are the second-largest users of energy in your home, behind only your HVAC system? It’s true!

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating accounts for approximately 20% of your home’s energy costs.

P. Gagnon can help improve your home’s energy efficiency as well as provide comfort and convenience by installing high-efficiency water heaters. We also install Rinnai propane tankless water heaters that can slash your water heating energy costs while also giving you endless hot water, on-demand!

If you’re wondering if it’s time to replace your home’s water heater, we’ve put together some information for you.

What is the age of my water heater?

Generally speaking, storage water heaters with a tank have an expected lifespan of 8 – 10 years.

Wondering how long your water heater has been around? Here’s a quick guide to help you pinpoint its age:

Locate the serial number of your water heater, which is typically situated on its upper part of the unit. The serial number will start with a letter followed by a series of numbers. The letter indicates the month in which it was manufactured (“A” for January, “B” for February, etc.), with the immediately following numbers being the year. So, if your water heater’s serial number starts with “J13,” the “J” is for October, and the “13” is for 2013, meaning that your water heater was manufactured in October of 2013.

When should I replace my water heater?

While age is a factor in when you will need to replace your water heater, there are other contributing factors.

For example, how well-maintained is your water heater?

Has the anode rod, also known as the sacrificial rod, been checked regularly, and replaced as needed? This rod attracts minerals that would otherwise contribute to corrosion of your water heater tank. The minerals eventually corrode the rod, so it needs to be replaced eventually so your tank continues to be protected.

Has the water heater tank been bled regularly? This maintenance helps prevent sediment from building up at the bottom or the tank and causing corrosion. Not bleeding it can accelerate water heater tank failure.

There are also these signs that your water heater may need replacing.

1. Water around or under the water heater tank. This is a sign of leaking, which means tank failure is likely imminent. If you see this, contact P. Gagnon & Son.
2. Your energy costs have inexplicably gone up. If you’ve noticed a sharp spike in your energy bills that can’t be attributed to an increase in fuel costs or usage, you may want to take a closer look at your water heater – it just might be the cause of these bigger bills. Over time, water heaters become less and less efficient. Investing in a new high efficiency one now will save you money for years to come.
3. Rusty water. If you notice rusty water coming out of your faucet when you use hot water, it is likely a sign that there is corrosion in your water heater tank. That means you are probably facing tank failure soon.
4. The water heater is making weird noises. If you’re hearing a growling or gurgling sound from your storage tank, it’s usually an indicator of sediment build-up. This is a serious problem, and you need to contact us.

Upgrade to a new water heater and enjoy comfort and energy efficiency! Contact P. Gagnon today for your FREE estimate .