There are three factors that should be considered before you determine whether to repair or replace the ailing water heater in your home.
Age
The lifespan of a water heater is roughly 10-12 years. A water heater that has exceeded 12 years is very likely running out of time and in need of replacement. If the ailing water heater was built less than 10 years ago but is not performing up to par, or is leaking water, you should contact an HVAC professional to determine if a repair will suffice. If repair is not an option and you have to upgrade your water heating system, move forward with an open mind. You have more options today than ever when it comes to replacing an ailing water heater. You might even consider a tankless water heater.
Condition
Your home’s water heater can age more rapidly when it gets heavy use, such as in a home with a large family, or extraordinary water usage. Increased usage speeds up the wear and tear on the unit, increasing the chance that it will be in need of repair or replacement. Also, the type of water used in your home can greatly affect the lifespan of the water heater. Hard water will result in more sedimentation in the water heater, leading to premature corrosion and rusting. Make sure you drain the tank periodically to keep this from happening.
Budget
When you’re purchasing a new water heater, how much you can afford to spend is particularly important because newer and higher quality units cost more but could save you substantially in the long run by being more reliable and energy efficient than less-expensive options.
Age, condition, and budget are the three factors you should examine to determine if your ailing water heater is in need of repair or replacement. You can also use these factors to hone your search when selecting and ultimately investing in a new water heater. If you’d like more help with water heater maintenance, service or replacement, please contact us today at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been proudly serving the Lorain area for more than 50 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about replacing water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area