As the school year kicks off and kids are returning to school, you may be checking things off of your list in order to be prepared. You may not associate your water heater with back to school, and yet your water heater is more important than ever at this time of the year.
If your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be time to invest in water heater installation in O’Fallon, MO. But how do you know when it’s time to make that upgrade? Our team can help! Keep reading to learn more about how to know when it is time to replace your water heater.
Water Heater Average Lifespan
If you have a gas water heater, the average life expectancy is 8-12 years. The expected lifespan of an electric water heater is slightly longer at 10 to 15 years. The actual lifespan depends a lot on how your water heater gets used and maintained. Water heaters that are cared for through annual professional maintenance are going to have a longer lifespan.
In fact, you may even be able to get closer to 20 years out of your water heater. But if your water heater is at or beyond the 10-year mark, it is probably time to begin considering a replacement. If you aren’t sure how old your water heater is, you can do a quick online search for the brand name and serial number to get an idea of when your tank was installed.
Changes in Output
Another indication that it is time for a new water heater can include changes in water output. Examples of changes include water that is lukewarm instead of hot, or water that is sporadically hot and cold. It’s also possible that you notice changes in how long hot water lasts for a shower or other chores like washing dishes. Maybe you used to enjoy hot water for 30 minutes but now you run out closer to 20 minutes.
Low water pressure is another red flag that something is wrong with your water heater. If your water pressure is fine when you have the cold water turned on but then dips down when you switch to hot water, there’s a good chance that your water tank is to blame.
Discoloration
If your hot water begins to have a red or rusty tint to it, that’s a sign that your water heater has reached the end of its life. Once rust begins to develop inside of the tank it cannot be reversed. If you notice discoloration in your hot water, switch the tap over to cold. If the discoloration remains, you may have a bigger problem. However, if the discoloration goes away then the source is likely your hot water tank.
Warm People, Cool Ideas, Quality Solutions. Give our team at Swiss Air Heating and Cooling a call today to schedule an appointment for water heater service.