Reasons to Replace Your Water Heater

There are a few things you should look for to help you determine if you need to replace your water heater. Of course, if it isn’t working, it’s a no-brainer. But you may think it’s working just fine and really you’ve long needed a replacement. If you’re wondering if you should upgrade, consider this:

1. Your Warranty is Out

One good way to know that it may be time for an upgrade is when you’ve surpassed your 12-year warranty by a few years. Not only do you no longer have coverage for fixing your water heater if any sudden damages occur, but chances are your water heater’s design is pretty outdated and is using way more energy than necessary. This could be costing you tons of excess money every month without you noticing. If your water heater has lived long past its life expectancy, it may be time to toss it out and replace it with an upgrade.

2. Your Water Heater is Leaking

Usually, when your water heater is leaking, you’ll need a plumber to fix the issue. This can be really costly and time-consuming. Sometimes, water heater leaks can be hard to find, and a lot of water damage can occur before the issue is fixed. If you have a leak, you can have a plumber look at it. If it’s bad enough, you’ll probably be better off buying a new water heater instead of paying to fix the leak.

3. You Run Out of Hot Water When You Need It

If you find that you are frequently taking lukewarm showers or running out of hot water while doing the dishes, you may not have a water heater big enough to surmount the hot water volume your family uses. This means you may need an upgrade to a water heater with a bigger tank.

4. Your Building Codes Changed

Another reason you may need a new water heater is if it no longer fits your community’s building codes. You should check your local building codes regularly and, if you’ve moved states, you may have different building codes than before. If your building codes have changed, your water heater may need to as well.Go to top

C. What to Consider When Choosing a Water Heater

1. Warranty:

Water heater warranties can vary greatly both in cost and length. Because your water heater is such an integral part of your family’s day to day life, you should always pay close attention to the warranty terms when choosing a new water heater. In the event that it is damaged, you may be able to get a new one without shelling out thousands of dollars on demand. Warranty ranges are typically around 2–10 years, but you can find manufacturers who offer up to a 12-year warranty. If you own your home, you might consider a longer warranty, even if you must pay a bit extra, to avoid any surprise costs in the future. Because water heaters can break, and they are so important, we suggest you choose the longest warranty available.

2. Drain Valves: Plastic or Brass?

The drain valve is located near the bottom of your water heater and is used to drain the water heater before maintenance or to make it easier to lift while moving it. This valve is typically either made of brass or plastic. In the event that you need to replace your water heater drain valve, or you are purchasing a new water heater, you will need to decide which type to use. Both plastic and brass are particularly cost-efficient options. Plastic may be less reactive, although neither material is corrosive. Brass is much more durable than plastic, and also more malleable, so it will take more damage. Brass is not affected by temperature change like plastic may be. This is not a huge decision, but it is still one you will need to make.

3. Anti-Scale Devices:

Mineral scale can cause damage to your water heater and other water-consuming appliances. Certain manufacturers include anti-scale devices in their water heater. This device moves the water at the bottom of the tank. The constantly moving water is less prone to mineral build-up, which can increase the lifespan of your water heater. This feature may work, but there are other factors besides mineral build up that can damage your water heater. It is not necessary to purchase a water heater with an anti-scale device and, with a lengthy warranty, you probably don’t need one.

4. Glass-Lined Tanks:

You may notice that some water heaters include a glass lining inside them. This lining is actually porcelain enamel and the coating helps to protect the water heater (which is usually made from steel) from corrosion. The enamel coating can do wonders in extending the life of your water heater but, due to the coating process, areas of steel are most often still left exposed. The ceramic enamel coating is becoming more and more popular and may even be a standard design for some manufacturers today. Again, this is not a necessary inclusion, but it could definitely slow down the corrosion process inside your water heater tank.

5. Digital Displays:

Water heaters with digital displays are convenient because you can easily adjust your water heater settings to fit your personal needs. You can easily adjust the output of your water heater, the water temperature, and some models even have a scheduling feature, which allows you to input the hours your house is occupied in order to increase the energy efficiency of the water heater by shutting off when you’re away. Water heaters without the digital display will often only show basic readings, like overall temperature and water pressure. The digital display is definitely a modern water heater feature you want.

6. Capacity:

Determining the capacity of your water heater tank depends solely on the number of people using water in your house. It can be difficult to determine how large of a tank you will need since each person’s water usage may vary greatly. You can use the first-hour rating (FHR) to help determine the water heater size your family needs. To calculate your family’s FHR, count the number of people in your home and multiply by twelve. This means that a family of four has an FHR of 48 gallons. You can check the FHR of your water heater to determine if it will heat enough water for your home. Here is another good rule of thumb:

If your home only has one or two people, a 30-gallon tank should be sufficient.

If your home has two or three people, you may need a 40-gallon water heater tank.
If your home has three to four people, you should opt for something larger, around 40–50 gallons.
For more than five people, you should consider a tank that holds 55 gallons or more.
For eight people or more, you may need two water heaters to supply enough hot water to your home.

Of course, for tankless water heaters, you will need to use your FHR to determine what size to buy.Go to top

D. Where to Buy Your Water Heater

You don’t usually run into a huge “Water Heaters For Sale” sign every time you go to your local grocery market, and if you’ve never bought a water heater before, you may not know where to look. Luckily, you have a few options:

1. Your Local Hardware Store

Sometimes, local family-owned hardware stores will have a small selection of water heaters. If not, they may know exactly where to get the one you need and can probably order it for you. Of course, you will have to wait for shipping. They probably offer delivery for a small fee, too.

2. Home Improvement Stores

If you have a chain home improvement store near you, you can rest assured they have a pretty big selection of water heaters available. When buying a water heater from a home improvement store, you will have expert staff available to help you make your decision.

3. Check the Web

You can usually order from your local home improvement store online and have a geyser shipped to you. You can also check Amazon—especially if you need a smaller water heater.