How Long Do Water Heaters last?
How Long Do Water Heaters last?
Embedded Files
You rely on your water heater for a lot of things in your day-to-day life. Picture how much less enjoyable your mornings would be without your warm shower!
Water heaters are often taken for granted, until something isn't working correctly. Fortunately, with the help of a plumbing professional, many times it can be repaired. However, eventually, you may need to replace it.
Many people don't realize when they need to replace their water heater because they don't know how long they typically last. So, how long do water heaters last on average?
A Water Heater Should Last Between 8- 20 Years Depending on the Type
A Water Heater Should Last Between 8- 20 Years Depending on the Type
Every brand and style has a different life span. Tankless systems tend to be more efficient but have much higher maintenance costs. Aside from replacing parts like flow sensors and heat exchangers the entire unit should last about 20-25 years. Though over the 20 years there is roughly $6400 in maintenance and parts costs. (Assuming 10 years warranty on the heat exchanger) That's the cost of 4 standard water heaters or two high efficient large capacity high out put tanks.
If you want to know more about what maintenance is involved with a tankless system before buying one we would recommend visiting a brand you're interested in and downloading their user manual. Then read it through especially the maintenance and trouble shotting section. If you're able to do the maintenance on your own then you can chop off about 150/250 per year in plumber visits. Keep in mind that the parts like sensors, flow valves, main pump, seals, anode, sparking unit, heat exchanger will all need to be replaced at some point after the parts warranty is up.
Bradford and White - Standard Natural draft water heater.
Navien NPE 240A - Tankless system with recirc pump.
So what should I choose?
So what should I choose?
It really depends on how the system was designed. My biggest recommendation is to replace what's already there with a like system. Unless... You're planning a renovation. That way you can design the system to your needs. In large homes we've done tandem tankless units that way if one goes down you wont be with out hot water or heating. Because they can work together or independently of each other. Champion Plumbing believes in the if it ain't broke don't fixt it philosophy. In that thinking we prefer systems which are maintenance "lite" like a tank. Flush out 1-2 gallons of water and vacuum out the burner once a year for it's life and that's all the maintenance you need to do. But you will have to replace them more often and they consume more gas or electricity. Sadly this question is really up to design and use of your system.
The Blunt Truth About Tankless Systems
The Blunt Truth About Tankless Systems
From Calgary's Only Plumbing Advocate
From Calgary's Only Plumbing Advocate
My Challenge to you is to read some other plumber websites. The fact is they all want you to go to a tankless system. The reason is they charge anywhere from $200-500 per annual visit (depending on your system) Tankless units are more complicated so they are banking on the fact you wont maintain them yourself. The plumbing industry gets paid to visit you as often as possible. There is even a plumber in Calgary who advertises based on that fact.
Do your diligence, read the owners manual before you buy anything!
Car, Boat, Water Filter, Tankless system, Water heater etc
Car, Boat, Water Filter, Tankless system, Water heater etc
The facts are in the manual. Once you have the facts then you can decide if it's something you want to do on your own or if it's worth the investment.
Here is one major fact I know from factory training.
3-11GPM 140f water. What does that mean? Some tankless systems will only heat the water from our typical +3C water up to 60c at 3 gallons a minute. Just think about your shower head. it's likely 2.5gpm mixed with hot and cold water. But it doesn't take long for a whole family to use up 3gpm. Now maybe you have a great system at 8-10gpm it's still possible for a family of 4 to use that much hot water. The volume will go down out of the pipes, seeming like less pressure also the temperature will feel cooler at max usage. Brands like Navien have a solenoid that controls the flow through the heat exchanger you can sometimes see this as a pulsing water supply when you turn on the hot water.
Should you say no to a tankless system? No you shouldn't; They have some wonderful benefits. like endless hot water.. Truly, if you like to have a bath where you just slowly run the hot water for hours on end. That is 100% possible. Expensive on the water bill though. One hidden benefit that i didn't cover and I find most other plumbers forget to mention is the recirculation line and or buffer tank. Most new systems have a recirculation line buit in. So you can save water. For example when you use a fixture which is very far away you may sometimes wait 30-120 seconds for hot water to come. if your system was designed well and you install a unit with a recirculation line (Navien "A" models) you can or may already have a pipe from the furthest fixture back to your unit. There is a pump inside the unit that will recirculate this hot water keeping it hot eliminating the ever cold "water sandwich" which happens with tankless systems on start up and shut down. A bit of cold water passes by the heat exchanger which is cold before it's completely fired up. This feels like you have hot water coming from the tap then it's cold then back hot again. I've had a few customers over the years mention this when they purchased lower end units without a buffer tank.
In conclusion, what should you buy in regards to a hot water heater? The real answer is Buy what ever your system needs in regards to design and usage. If you have a choice.. Maybe you're renovating? My suggestion is talk it over with your plumber and have them give you the real costs including maintenance over the entire lifespan of the appliance.
*What would I install in my bungalow? A high output water heater (tank) with an external recirculation line. That's what we have.. yes we run out of hot water at times. 50 gallons for a family of 4. With a standard size bath tub. 60x32 18" deep. Is it a problem? Not really. How else do you tell your 5 year old to get out of the shower? Let it run cold so they know when it's time to get out :D How long does it take to come back ? about 20 minutes. By the time their ready for bed the dishwasher goes on and one of the adults can shower too. It's really not that inconvenient.
*What if you have a two story? I'd install the same but make sure the recirculation line is installed or added. If you want more water you can go bigger say 75gallon for a home with an en suite and a large soaker tub.
*What if you have infloor heating? I'd say go big (combination tank with side outlets and higher BTU) and buy a Tamas Panel to run the heating and then install a mixing valve to the household side. set it at 125-140 then set your tank to 160 and then set your Tamas panel to system design temp. ** What if you need some mega btu's in the floor or drive way? Well then it's time to get a boiler or Combi unit type tankless system. Again its higher maintenance but if you have a home with that type of system needs then the maintenance will be higher anyways.
Purchase based on needs and design first and foremost.
J-JC
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse