How Long Does a Water Heater Last in Ohio Homes?

How Long Does a Water Heater Last in Ohio Homes?

Considering how much hot water you use every day, ensuring that your water heater is reliable and works properly is essential. As with everything else, water heaters don’t last forever. By knowing how long you can reasonably expect your water heater to last, you can avoid running into an emergency situation where you’re left without hot water.

Average Water Heater Lifespan in Ohio Homes

At Jennings Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electrical, one of the most common questions we get from homeowners is “how long does a water heater last in Ohio?” The truth is that it can vary. The average lifespan of traditional water heaters is around 10 years. However, some units fail within six to seven years, while others can last up to 12 or even 15 years.

Tankless water heaters tend to last longer, partly because they work more efficiently and also because they only heat on demand. You can usually expect to get at least 15-20 years of life out of a tankless water heater, and some higher-quality units may even last for 25-30 years.

What Affects How Long a Water Heater Lasts

One factor that typically impacts how long a traditional water heater lasts is whether it relies on gas or electricity. Gas units tend to have a shorter lifespan due to the extreme heat they produce. The quality and efficiency of the unit also play a major role. Higher-efficiency units don’t have to run as much, meaning they don’t experience as much wear and tear. Some brands produce much higher-quality units that last longer as well.

Another important factor is the household’s typical daily hot water demand. The more hot water your household uses, the more work your water heater has to do and the more wear and tear it experiences.

Flushing the tank once or twice a year and hiring a water heater service to perform an annual inspection and maintenance service are important for ensuring you get as much life out of the unit as possible. If you don’t flush the unit regularly, it will have to work harder and run more due to sediment buildup in the tank. Maintenance and inspections are crucial for preventing and fixing any issues that could lead to decreased performance and premature failure.

Signs Your Water Heater May Need Replacement

Water heaters rarely just suddenly fail. Instead, you’ll usually start seeing some replacement warning signs that tell you that your water heater is beginning to give out. With a traditional water heater, the biggest sign to watch for is water leaking out of the tank. Water heater tanks slowly rust and corrode over time, which can eventually lead to a leak. If the tank is severely rusted and corroded, it could rupture and cause massive flooding. This risk is why it’s essential that you immediately call for local plumbing help if you see that your water heater is leaking.

Some of the other red flags to watch for include:

• Rusty, discolored or smelly hot water
• Water not getting fully hot
• Water heater running more and taking longer to reheat
• Water temperature frequently fluctuates

Repair or Replace: What Makes Sense for an Older Unit?

When it comes to an aging water heater, it’s crucial that you replace before failure. The last thing you want is to suddenly have no hot water because you ignored the warning signs that your water heater wasn’t working properly.

While you should always call a plumber if you notice any of the plumbing emergency signs we touched on in the previous section, not all of them necessarily mean you need to replace your water heater. Some of them can be caused by more minor issues that a professional plumber can repair. For instance, a failed electric heating element or a faulty thermostat can result in the water not getting as hot as it should. While these types of issues are relatively easy to fix, it’s not always worth paying to repair an older water heater.

When trying to decide whether your water heater is worth repairing, the main things to focus on are its age and how much the repair will cost. Generally speaking, it’s usually a smart decision to just replace your water heater if it’s eight to 10 years old, unless it only needs a very minor, inexpensive repair. Even if your water heater isn’t that old, you still need to factor the repair cost into your decision. If the cost of the repair is close to 50% of what you’d pay to install a new unit, replacement is almost always the better option.

Consider how energy efficient your water heater is. If the unit isn’t that efficient, replacing it with a high-efficiency model can save you a significant amount on your energy bills and really pay off in the end.

Schedule Water Heater Services in Ohio With Jennings

If you’re experiencing any issues with your home’s hot water supply, you can count on our experienced team to help you overcome them. We offer expert water heater repair and installation, and we can advise you on which route to take. We’ve been serving Akron and the surrounding areas for nearly 100 years and are ready to professionally manage all of your plumbing needs. To schedule service, contact us today.

FAQs:

We’ve answered countless questions about water heaters. Here are the answers to some of the most common.

How do I know if my water heater is going bad?

Some of the biggest water heater warning signs to watch for include rusty-colored hot water, the water never getting fully hot, or the unit taking much longer to reheat. If the tank has started leaking, you should schedule an immediate replacement to avoid extensive water damage.

Should I replace my water heater before it fails?

Yes. If your water heater is near the end of its life, you should definitely replace it before it fails. That way, you don’t have to worry about suddenly not having hot water or needing to pay more for an emergency service call.

Where can I get water heater help in Ohio?

At Jennings, we offer expert water heater services in Akron and the surrounding areas of Northeast Ohio. Whether it’s repair or replacement, you can count on us to reliably see to your needs.