What is the average life of a residential hot water heater?

8 to 12 years
The type of water heater and where you are located: While many say 8 to 12 years is the expected life for a standard gas-powered water heater, this range can change and be very dependent on where you are located. The level of sediment in your tank affects the lifespan of your water heater.

Is an old water heater dangerous?

Water Heater Fires and Explosions If gas is leaking in or around your water heater, the small ignition flame can ignite the gas, causing a catastrophic explosion. Also, built-up Water pressure can create a bomb – As water is heated, pressure builds inside the tank.

What should I do if my water heater is running all the time?

If your water heater is constantly running the first thing you should do is check the unit and the pipes immediately around it for leaks. Your water heater might have insufficient insulation – If the water heater is not properly insulated, it will be unable to maintain the water temperature.

Why does my water heater keep shorting out?

Your water heater’s heating element is what actually heats your water. Your heating element may experience a short. This often happens if the element’s metal casing cracks and the element’s live wires are exposed to water.

Why does the reset button on my water heater keep popping out?

So the red reset button on your electric water heater keeps popping out and needing to be reset. Here’s the most likely problem: The water in your water heater is getting too hot.

Where can I find an old water heater?

They can be found at home centers. All types of water heaters can be found at home centers and plumbing supply houses. Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we’re ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls!

What’s the average life of a water heater?

A water heater’s useful life varies, depending on the type of water heater, the quality of the unit, and how well it’s been maintained. A traditional tank-type water heater lasts an average of eight to 12 years.

How long does a water heater last in a garage?

Hard water wreaks havoc on a water heater and can reduce its service life by two or more years. Likewise, water heaters located in garages or crawl spaces, where the temperature drops significantly, have to work harder to heat the water, and they tend to wear out more quickly than units installed in a temperature-controlled house.

Why does a tankless water heater last so long?

Also called “on-demand” water heaters, these appliances do not work continuously to maintain a supply of hot water—and, as a result, they last longer than their tank-style counterparts. Eventually, though, tankless water heaters (which do not use anode rods) will also suffer from corrosion and require replacement.

What to do if your water heater is not making enough hot water?

Not Enough Hot Water 1 Gas water heater. If your gas water heater isn’t making enough hot water, try adjusting the thermostat to a higher setting. 2 Electric water heater. If you’re getting some hot water, and you can hear the unit heating, check the thermostat set point. 3 Replacing an Element/Thermostat.