How Old Is Your Water Heater?

Stay ahead of a failing hot water system with a water heater replacement.

Let’s have some straight talk about your home’s water heater. Many homeowners aren’t aware of how much they depend on this unit. Just think about all the daily activities that require hot water: showering, bathing children, running the dishwasher, cleaning your clothes, wiping down pots and pans.

Is it any wonder, then, that the average U.S. household uses almost one-fifth of its energy heating water? Let’s take a look at how long you can expect your water heater to last, how you can tell if it’s on its way out and when you should consider a replacement.

How can you tell if your water heater is too old?

As a general rule, traditional storage tank water heaters last around eight to 12 years. (On-demand units often have longer service lives.) To determine how old your water heater is, check the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker. The first digits of this number often correspond with the manufacture date. You can perform a quick web search of the brand, model, and serial number to find the manufacturing date. Alternatively, please feel free to call the Burt’s Reliable team, and we’ll be happy to help determine how old your hot water equipment is.

Is your water heater struggling?

As with any home comfort system that gets extended, continuous use, water heaters will begin to lose efficiency and break down more often as they each. One of the most common reasons that water heaters struggle is internal corrosion caused by particles in the water. Over time, these corrosive particles eat way at your tank lining, eventually leading to a full tank failure.

You do not want to wait for your current unit to break down, leaving you without hot showers and potentially dumping 40+ gallons of water in your home. Here are some warning signs your water heater is nearing the end of its service life:

• Strange noises coming from the tank, including popping, rumbling, screeching or hissing
• Rusty or brown water from your hot water taps
• Water pooling at the base of your tank
• Inconsistent hot water from your taps and fixtures
• Difficulty flushing sediment from your water heater tank

Get in touch with Burt’s Reliable to upgrade your water heater.

We don’t want you to be without hot water for days while you scramble to find a replacement water heater. If you’ve noticed any of the warning signs above — or if your water heater is a decade old — get in touch with the pros at Burt’s Reliable. We do water heater installations, maintenance and repairs in Hampton Bay and throughout Suffolk County.

We can assess your water heater’s health, age and performance. If you need a new unit, we can even upgrade you to a high-efficiency indirect-fired water heater.

A top-of-the-line water heater can make your showers longer and your fuel bills smaller. Reach out to us today for a free estimate on new equipment.