Five Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater

Posted: January 25, 2018

Your water heater is an unsung hero in your North Carolina home, providing hot water for your shower, bath, sinks, dishwasher and washing machine. But even though water heaters are relatively simple machines, they will eventually wear down.

Here are five signs that it may be time for a water heater upgrade:

1. Age – Most conventional water heaters (models that have a tank) last about 10 years; if your model is nearing that age, replacing it is usually a better bet than repairing it. To learn how old your model is, find the serial number on the unit’s name plate – Its first number corresponds to its month of production, while the first two numbers its year of production. For example, in the serial number E082738598, “E” (the fifth letter in the alphabet) corresponds to May, the fifth month. The number “08” represents the year.
2. Rusty tank water – If the water in your water heater’s tank is rusty, the tank is probably corroding from the inside – which means a costly flood could happen at any time.
3. Leaks – See #2 above. If you spot a leak, turn off the tank’s water supply and get your water heater professionally inspected to see if its structure has been compromised.
4. Rumbling sounds – Sediment buildup in your tank can cause unusual noises; it can also reduce efficiency and raise your monthly bills.
5. “Scaling” –If you notice white spots or powder on drying dishes or glassware (“scaling”), your water is “hard” – meaning that it has a high mineral content. Aging can contribute to this problem in your water heater; it can also lead to a breakdown of your equipment.

One way to avoid many of these problems is to install a tankless propane water heater, which heats water on demand rather than storing it in a tank for later use. While they are more expensive up front than conventional water heaters, they are extremely efficient (95 percent or more is common), compact (about the size of a suitcase), and produce an unlimited supply of hot water (no more cold showers!). They last longer, too, with some models capable of operating for 20 years.

Not sure if it’s time to upgrade your water heater? We can help you decide.

Contact us today for a FREE, no obligation estimate on a conventional or tankless water heater – and don’t forget to ask us about our special that can save you $250 on a top quality model from Rinnai!