Water heaters with tanks should last up to 15 years. Tankless water heaters last up to 20 years. The life expectancy doesn’t change much from brand to brand. As long as you keep it properly maintained, then you should be able to get the maximum lifespan out of your water heater.
The Importance of a Professional Technician
If your water heater heats with gas, then it should be obvious that you shouldn’t try to work on it yourself. A small mistake could be catastrophic. Even electric water heaters have certain components that should only be serviced by a professional technician, such as one of the technicians from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.
Water Hardness
Hard water is hard on water heaters. The calcium deposits and other minerals can clog the pipes and cause internal damage. If you have hard water, then it might be worth it to get a water softener, which will help to extend the lifespan of your appliances. At the same time, it’s also smart to get a filtering system of some kind for cooking and/or drinking water.
Having the Right Size
If your water heater is too small for the number of people who live in your home, then it won’t last as long because it’ll get empty and need refilling too often. While having a water heater that’s too big won’t necessarily shorten its lifespan, it will use more energy because there’s more water in it to heat. It just makes good sense to choose a water heater that’s the right size for your home and family.
Tankless Advantages
Tankless water heaters can save you up to 34% on your water bill while helping to reduce your carbon footprint. They also don’t lose temperature out the sides of a tank, which happens no matter how well a water heater with a tank is insulated.
A tankless water heater heats only the water you use when you use it. It does so through an electric or gas element. However, unlike a standard water heater, there is no pilot light, which saves you a small amount on your gas bill.
Many modern tankless water heaters are also “smart” in the same way as smart thermostats. That lets you turn them off when you’re away on vacation or even during the day while you’re at work and/or the children, if you have any, are at school. Then, you can program it to turn on to provide you with hot water when you return home.
Reasons to Call Us
We can help you with both installation and maintenance regarding water heaters, tankless or otherwise. We have more than three decades of experience, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and full accreditation. Trust us to handle any water heater issues you have. Call today to set up an appointment.