It’s only until you’re stuck taking a lukewarm or cold shower, are left unable to wash your dishes in hot water that you truly appreciate your home’s hot water heater. Your friends at Mission AC & Plumbing are here to answer all of your questions about water heater installation. Not only that, but we also want to provide you with expert information related to how long you can expect your water heater to last, signs you need a new water heater and how to find the best water heater for your home.
What’s the average lifespan of a residential water heater?
While the overall life expectancy of a water heater varies from home to home and model to model, the average is anywhere from eight to 12 years for a standard water heater and as many as 20 years for tankless water heaters installed in residential properties. When your water heater enters the second half of its life, you want to be vigilant about keeping an eye on its performance and appearance. Doing so is sure to save you a great deal of frustration by reducing the risk of unexpected replacement and emergency repairs.
What are some signs you might need a new aater heater?
Besides the overall age of your home’s water heater, there are a few other indicators you can use:
- Rust on the tank or in your water
- It makes loud noises during operation
- Water puddles around the tank
- Inadequate hot water
All of these symptoms could indicate the need for repairs, but frequent, costly repairs are a major sign that you need to replace your water heater rather than pouring money into it any longer. While you may feel you’re unable to afford a new water heater, pulling the trigger now is very likely to save you money and time in the future. If you’re unsure of your water heater’s condition, call a professional plumber to inspect it.
How much does a water heater installation cost?
When it’s time to buy a new appliance, you want to arm yourself with all of the tools you need to find the best solution for your home. One of the first things you should know is that you can choose between conventional storage water heaters and tankless water heaters.
Traditional water heaters are a good choice if you want a more affordable selection, with the average cost as of 2018, including installation, being about $1,800. They can easily fit in a closet, garage or basement, and they can hold anywhere from 20 to 80 gallons of water ready for use in the tank. Tankless water heaters are the more expensive of the two, with an average cost of roughly $5,000. What you spend for the upfront cost of a tankless water heater can save you energy in the long term. Know that you’ll need ventilation with this type of appliance, but tankless might not be the best choice if your household uses a lot of hot water.
Besides the type of water heater you feel is the best fit, you’ll also want to make sure you have the right size for your property. If you have a large family, a lot of people living in your home or use a lot of hot water, you’ll be better off with a larger heater. You should also familiarize yourself with the different manufacturers to see who has the best reputation and warranty.
How can you take good care of a water heater, no matter its age?
No matter the age, brand, size or type of hot water heater you have, there are things you can do to prolong its life and improve its overall performance:
- Adjust the temperature: There’s a chance your water is a bit hotter than it needs to be. Turning it down to 120 degrees can save you on the cost of energy.
- Let it breathe: Make sure there are at least two feet of space around the appliance so it can “breathe.”
- Drain it: Taking out time to drain your tank at least twice a year flushes out harmful sediment.
Now that you know all of this, you’re ready to search for your new water heater and better take care of it throughout its lifetime. For more information or to get a quote for water heater installation, contact the friendly professionals at Mission AC.
