1st Sign: Your Water Heater Is Too Old
And how old is too old you ask? You really should replace electric water heaters after 10 years and gas water heaters after 8.
2nd Sign: Is your hot water still running clear?
You may notice your hot water turning a reddish, rusty color as your hot water heater is nearing the end of its life.
The water may also appear muddy or sandy. Often, in this case, a cleaning of the sediment at the bottom of the tank may be enough to bring your hot water heater back to peak performance. A buildup causes inefficient operating, costing you more to run your hot water heater.
3rdSign: The Water Heater Isn’t Heating Water
If your water isn’t getting hot enough (or if it’s getting too hot), you may need to adjust the thermostat (the thermostat should be set somewhere between 120 and 140 degrees) – this one isn’t a big deal.
If you’re not getting any hot water, you could have a broken heating element. You’ll need a plumber for this one, but you probably don’t need a new water heater, unless it’s an older unit.
Steaming Hot Tip: Keep your hot water heater thermostat between 120 to 140 degrees. A lower temperature may provide warm water, but not the hot steamy shower we love.
4th Sign：Noise associated with your hot water heater is never a good thing.
Like rust, noise is never a great sign. More often than not, the cause of the noise is sediment buildup. With continued use, sediment collects at the bottom of the tank. If you are not flushing the tank regularly (at least once a year), the sediment will harden, making the water heater inefficient.
Water heaters with sediment buildup have to work harder to heat the same amount of water so they consume more energy and the increased wear and tear will inevitably shorten its lifespan. If the water heater is still making noise after it’s flushed, you probably need a new water heater.
5th Sign: Your water usage affects hot water heater lifespan
How much and how often do you use hot water? How big is your household?
A larger household size will draw on the hot water heater more often than a water heater that is only supporting a single person. Your hot water heater will wear out faster in this case. As your water heater nears 10 years of life, look to budget for a hot water heater repair or even replacement.
Love your hot water heater and it will love you
Avoid costly repairs, replacement, and emergencies by investing in an inspection to make sure your hot water heater is in top operating shape.
We recommend you have your hot water heater inspected each year to avoid an expensive repair and a possible messy situation.
