When would you replace a water heater
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2,880 Posts
We had to change ours out at 18 years. Not because I wanted to, but because our insurance would not renew our policy unless we changed it. I don’t feel the new one is better then the old one. Policy rates were good so basically I had to change it or pay a higher rate. Just food for thought. I’m sure there will be opinions both ways. I would have rather changed it when I felt it was necessary
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11,027 Posts
Funny thing. When I was looking to get a tankless, because of the rebates, I just couldn't pull the trigger.
This was around Christmas time, 2004.
I go down into the basement on news years day and there is water all over the floor, so I had to go to HD and buy a new one. The date on the current water heater is 12/2004 and installed on 1/2005.
The old heater was installed when the house was built in 1988.
Based on the dates, it is about time.
This was around Christmas time, 2004.
I go down into the basement on news years day and there is water all over the floor, so I had to go to HD and buy a new one. The date on the current water heater is 12/2004 and installed on 1/2005.
The old heater was installed when the house was built in 1988.
Based on the dates, it is about time.
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8,100 Posts
Ours was 10 years old. We got a new HVAC system and the utility company offered double rebates that month for furnaces and water heaters. I replaced the water heater. We are retired and travel when we feel like it, so I like having new. If I were home all the time I would have waited till it bit the weenie.
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24,704 Posts
EOL is usually around 12-15 years, so you may be due. Prices have come down on the tankless somewhat, and gas companies are offering substantial rebates, so it may be time to pull that trigger. I definitely don't regret it. My WH was of age, showed no signs of failure like rust, etc., but I talked to our local plumbing supplier and the gas company and with the rebates, I decided that if I had to spend $600 for a decent tank type water heater, why not go ahead and spend an additional $500 for a tankless and be done with heating water while you slept, while you went to work, while you were away shopping.....just didn't make sense.
As for electric, our power bill was reduced because the water heater was the hog. BUT, the gas guys have come 3 times (game cams) and only left gas on the third trip, and what they leave is quite affordable considering it would be more with electric.
As for electric, our power bill was reduced because the water heater was the hog. BUT, the gas guys have come 3 times (game cams) and only left gas on the third trip, and what they leave is quite affordable considering it would be more with electric.
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5,124 Posts
90% of the question is about the local water quality
With good water...15yrs is just getting broken in.
With bad water... 10yrs is taking chances.
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4,665 Posts
I'm proactive when it comes to things like financial planning, but
totally reactive when it comes to end of life of water heater, furnace
and appliances. The 3 times I've had to replace water heaters may
have been rushed but, far from traumatic, so I see no reason to
change. Any savings I may have had by getting things on sale would
be, I think, more than wiped out by replacing things that would have
lasted a lot longer.
BUT!! I really should start changing the anode. OK, I'll do it this year!
.......well.....I'll try
totally reactive when it comes to end of life of water heater, furnace
and appliances. The 3 times I've had to replace water heaters may
have been rushed but, far from traumatic, so I see no reason to
change. Any savings I may have had by getting things on sale would
be, I think, more than wiped out by replacing things that would have
lasted a lot longer.
BUT!! I really should start changing the anode. OK, I'll do it this year!
.......well.....I'll try
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15,051 Posts
Depends on where the WH is located. If in a location that a leak would cause damage, I would replace it. If in location that a leak will not cause big issues, I would let it be.
My parents had a GE electric WH that lasted more than 40 years. I don't know exactly how much more than 40 years as I sold the house with that WH still working. Water quality was very good, municipal water from a reservoir system.
My parents had a GE electric WH that lasted more than 40 years. I don't know exactly how much more than 40 years as I sold the house with that WH still working. Water quality was very good, municipal water from a reservoir system.
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4,305 Posts
Mine is in the basement in what I call the mechanical room. It, the furnace, ejector pit and sump pump share a 12 X 10 unfinished space. Mine is electric and now 18 years old. When it fails, the floor is pitched toward the sump pump pit. My plan is to get every minute of it's life.
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11,027 Posts
I tried putting off replacing my AC until after labor day, but when all the freon they installed on a Friday was gone by Sunday, it was not to be.I'm proactive when it comes to things like financial planning, but
totally reactive when it comes to end of life of water heater, furnace
and appliances. The 3 times I've had to replace water heaters may
have been rushed but, far from traumatic, so I see no reason to
change. Any savings I may have had by getting things on sale would
be, I think, more than wiped out by replacing things that would have
lasted a lot longer.
BUT!! I really should start changing the anode. OK, I'll do it this year!
.......well.....I'll try
The water heater is in the basement, mechanical room, but it has no drain.
If enough water was to get out, I would have to clean the water from the carpet.
I got a price for a replacement today. The biggest issue with replacing now is draining, and getting the old one out and new one in. I would have to hire a small army to clear the garage to get it into the room.
I would also have to move the washer and dryer to get to the heater.
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11,027 Posts
I am glad to see I am in such good company!!
The correct answer is, "You will have to replace it when you sell the house."
Why do I say this? Because twice in my life, I've been just about to put a house on the market. Bot times, the water heater failed (and I had to scramble to fix it). 100% of the time!
More seriously, my old water heater was installed in 1999 and it I noticed exterior rust late last year. I'm guessing it was about to spring a leak. It was a "9 year" GE gas model. I'd say, if it looks good and a flood isn't going to cause serious damage, don't touch it until you have to.
Why do I say this? Because twice in my life, I've been just about to put a house on the market. Bot times, the water heater failed (and I had to scramble to fix it). 100% of the time!
More seriously, my old water heater was installed in 1999 and it I noticed exterior rust late last year. I'm guessing it was about to spring a leak. It was a "9 year" GE gas model. I'd say, if it looks good and a flood isn't going to cause serious damage, don't touch it until you have to.
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2,617 Posts
When would I replace a water heater?
It is never that easy. And never that direct. It is more of a question as to when the water heater wants to be replaced.
Sure, I treat them with respect. I clean them, I flush them. Talk nicely to them. But do they respect me back? NOOOOO!!!
They decide to go on their merry way whenever it suits them. Usually late at night. When it is cold out.
Darn them anyways, fickle beats.
It is never that easy. And never that direct. It is more of a question as to when the water heater wants to be replaced.
Sure, I treat them with respect. I clean them, I flush them. Talk nicely to them. But do they respect me back? NOOOOO!!!
They decide to go on their merry way whenever it suits them. Usually late at night. When it is cold out.
Darn them anyways, fickle beats.
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2,314 Posts
I am in a similar boat. My bradford white electric heater is about 10 years old. Just last weekend, I changed out the anode rod and both elements. The anode rod had NOTHING left.
I'm not sure if the effort was worthwhile. I now have NG in the house, so I am considering giving this one a few more years then getting a NG unit - either tankless or a standard tank type.
I have a ~8 year old triangle tube condensing boiler. I COULD use an indirect fired water heater, but I am concerned about having to leave my flawlessly-working boiler on year-round. I kind of don't want to mess with it.
I'm not sure if the effort was worthwhile. I now have NG in the house, so I am considering giving this one a few more years then getting a NG unit - either tankless or a standard tank type.
I have a ~8 year old triangle tube condensing boiler. I COULD use an indirect fired water heater, but I am concerned about having to leave my flawlessly-working boiler on year-round. I kind of don't want to mess with it.
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2,314 Posts
What kind did you go with?
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11,027 Posts
It hasn't been delivered yet, but they sell Rheem.
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