How Long Should a Water Heater Last?

Proper maintenance can give you hot water for a long time

The life expectancy of a gas or electric hot water heater will vary depending on the amount of maintenance. Prompt replacement of failed parts, especially the anode, and regularly draining the tank can extend the life to 20 years or more.

Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of a hot water heater ranges from 10 to 15 years. During this time, normal usage will cause some parts to fail, but prompt replacement will prevent additional damage to the heater.

Parts

A professional technician will have the most common parts, such as thermostats and thermocouples, in his inventory and will be able to replace them fairly quickly. The only part that is not replaceable is the tank.

Tank

Rust causes the primary tank failure. Changing the anode rod every three to five years will reduce tank rust and extend the life expectancy significantly.

Draining

Heating of water makes minerals settle out and collect at the bottom of the tank. Draining the tank once or twice each year removes this sediment and keeps valves and other parts clean and functioning smoothly for a longer life.

Tankless

Tankless hot water heaters will last 20 years or more. They have less moving parts to fail and no storage tank that can rust.

References

• State of Ohio: Residential Water Heater Safety
• State of Connecticut: Private Drinking Water in Connecticut
• Department of Energy: Demand Water Heaters