As we’ve discussed in the past, it’s often a wise move to replace a water heater before you actually need to, especially this year.
This is for couple of reasons. Firstly, due to new federal laws that have gone into effect this month, the law now requires substantially more space when putting in a new water heater, especially with those that hold over 50 gallons. Thus, you might now only be replacing a water heater, but you might also be remodeling the area in which you keep your water area to make space for the new laws.
Furthermore, the new models have now come out and thus the prices for water heaters are generally more expensive than purchasing a model that was on the market last month.
However, in addition to cutting costs, there are some situations in which the questions of whether to replace hot water heater is merely a rhetorical one and you simply have to replace the heater.
One of the best variables to consider when deciding if it’s time to replace a hot water heater is its age. If a conventional storage-tank water heater is nearing the end of its 10 to 13-year lifecycle, then replacement is a sure way to avoid a future accident, such as a flood. After all, new models are up to 20% more efficient and can save upwards of $700 in energy costs, so replacing a water heater that has crossed the decade mark is a no-brainer.
Another even more obvious way to tell if a replacement is on the horizon is if a tank is simply failing to heat the water.
There is usually one of several ways this can happen, which includes the pilot light failing to light, the thermostat breaking, a valve sticking, or a circuit breaker for an electric heater tripping. Sometimes these issues can just be a matter of replacing one of the above parts for in between $150 and $300. However, if a part is failing and the tank is over ten years old, then a replacement is an absolute must.
Simply put, while it is best to intuit when it is wise to replace a water tank before it is necessary, if it does become necessary, following the above steps is one sure way to know how to diagnose the need for a replacement.
One closing piece of advice to keep in mind: even if your water tank is not in need of a replacement, flushing it out once a year to remove any sediment will help it run more efficiently, saving you money in the long run.
