When to Replace your Water Heater

The heating of water is one of the largest expenses in your home. Having an inefficient water heater can cost hundreds of dollars per year. But how do you know when it’s time to replace it? This can be somewhat difficult because a lot of times there aren’t any signs other than the obvious – a flood around the area of the water heater or an ice cold shower first thing in the morning. It’s best to use the age of your water heater as the determining factor for when it should be replaced. The life expectancy of a water heater is approximately 8-12 years. Beyond this, they become less efficient. So how do you know how old your water heater is? All water heaters have a rating plate that lists important data such as the model and serial numbers, manufacturing company’s name, length of warranty, etc. You can determine the age of the water heater by de-coding the serial number. Some manufacturers make it easy by incorporating the month and year built into the first 4 digits of the serial number. Other manufacturers use different formats, but in a similar fashion. If you’re having trouble deciphering the serial number, just call a professional handyman or plumber and they should be able to help you determine the age of your water heater. Remember, an inefficient water heater can be quite costly. Replacing it at the end of its life expectancy is key. For questions regarding water heater replacement, contact Priority One Home Repair at (623) 505-7282 or [email protected].