In our earlier blog this month we discussed the average lifespan of a home’s water heater, this time we are going to address the subject of when you should think about replacing it altogether.
As we mentioned before, over time, the home’s water heater will require maintenance. You could start to notice puddles of water forming under the water heater, or your hot water may suddenly go cold, etc. Even if there are no obvious signs that the water heater needs repairing, it is wise to consider the age of it before you spend money to keep it in good working order.
Besides the age of the water heater, have a look to see if it is still under warranty, and if it is, check to see if it will cover the cost of labor as well as replacement parts. If the cost of labor is not included under the warranty, the cost could still be expensive. One part, for example, that commonly needs to be replaced is the sacrificial anode. The job must be done properly, otherwise, it could easily damage the water heater. Replacing this part may also void the warranty. So, if you need to have this part replaced and the water heater is already nearing the end of its lifespan, it might be good to ask yourself if it is worth fixing or better to buy a new one.
Another good way to determine whether to repair or replace your old water heater is to look at how much money you spend each year, on average, to keep it maintained. If you are spending more than 10 percent of the money it would cost you to buy and install a new heater it may be wiser to replace it.
If you are still unsure whether to replace or repair your existing water heater, you could have it inspected. This way you will find out the water heater’s condition and get some idea of how much longer it will last.
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