Regarding routine maintenance, the water heater is among the most neglected home appliances. In winter, most People forget about it until the hot water stops running; you must ensure that the hot water system you get can last as long as you need it. This raises the question of how long a hot water system lasts.
There are multiple factors on which the lifespan of a water heater system depends.
This article will review the factors and variables that will make a hot water system last longer.
Lifespan Affecting Factors Of Hot Water Systems
Five different factors can determine how long a hot water system will last.
Quality
This is a crucial aspect that you may have thought of. Like everything you purchase, you should expect it to be of higher quality if you spend more money on the hot water system. One of the primary reasons your hot water heater may require replacing is if it begins to corrode and becomes ineffective at holding water over time. This is why you should purchase a top-quality tank to ensure an extended supply of hot water
Material
Another factor that can impact the longevity of the hot water heating system will be the materials that it is constructed from. Corrosion of hot water tanks is an ongoing problem; therefore, the material chosen to construct it should be carefully considered. This guide will give an idea of what you can expect from each component used to construct your tank.
- Heat pump: 10 years
- Stainless steel tanks: 8 to 12 years
- Glass-lined or enamel-lined tanks: 5 to 10 years
- Copper tanks low-pressure gravity-fed: approximately 25 years
It’s crucial to note that these numbers may be higher depending on brand and other factors.
Type
It’s difficult to follow the same criteria to judge the different system types for hot water: solar, electric gas, instantaneous, or even gas. However, hot water systems with tanks typically last less because the tank’s corrosive nature increases with time. Instant water heaters may last longer, as corrosion doesn’t wreak havoc with them. An electric hot water system could last 10-15 years, while gas-powered units typically only last 8-12. The tank generally plays an important role in determining when gas or electric hot water systems last. The stress levels on the heating components for electric and gas systems differ.
Usage
Like other equipment you’ve used, using hot water systems will determine how long it will last. In general, more frequent use puts more stress on the equipment. Although all system components can handle significant temperature fluctuations, there are limits to what they can handle.
Water Quality
Most people do not realize that the water quality within their water heater is an important element affecting their system’s longevity. The water quality may not be identical for all areas; however, some regions contain hard water. When your water heater is undergoing hard water that is regularly processed, it can cause corrosion to happen quicker, reducing the lifespan of your system. But, you can reduce hard water’s effects on the system by periodic maintenance.
How Long Do Hot Water Tanks Last?
We’ve covered the various elements that impact the lifespan of a heating system. With these considerations, typically, you can anticipate your water heater to last between 7-15 years, on average. This is the case for those who have tanks. By opting for a tankless hot water heating system, you can be confident it will outlive its expected lifespan.
Here is a breakdown of how long different types of hot water systems should last:
- Electric hot water systems with a storage tank: almost 10 to 15 years
- Tankless electric hot water systems: 20 years
- Gas hot water systems with the water storage tank: 8 to 12 years
- Tankless gas hot water systems: 20 years
- Solar water heater systems: almost between 10 to 20 years
Most hot water systems available in the market are with tanks and are more durable and last longer than conventional water heater systems. The hot water system lifespan can be extended by 10 years with regular maintenance and regulation.
How to Extend the Life of Your Hot Water System
Once you’ve installed a hot water system, proper care must be taken in maintaining it; to do this, periodically examine your system or call in a technician for inspection to detect issues before they become more dangerous.
As part of your regular maintenance on your system, replacing anodes in tanks could extend their lifespan by several years. Inspection for cracks, corrosion, and potential leakage should also be carried out to detect problems as soon as they arise.
Regular inspections will help detect potential issues that could develop quickly so they can be addressed quickly. When hiring professionals for hot water system repair and maintenance, hire those certified for such tasks.
Is It Time To Replace Your Water Heater System?
Are you curious as to when to replace your water heater? Below are a few points that are crucial in choosing when and why to do it:
If your tank is making a sizzling or hissing sound, that could indicate its age and require you to investigate what is making this noise – whether it be broken valves or another cause. If there’s no hot water, it runs quickly, or there’s an intermittent source, it is important to determine its cause, be it an issue with the heating element or thermostat.
Rust and sludge in your tank could be an indicator of corrosion. You should check for accumulations of these substances to detect whether corrosion has set in.
- If you notice a sizzling or hissing sound coming from your tank, this could be a telltale sign that your water heater is beginning to age. To identify what caused it, it may indicate an old valve needing replacement or other possible causes of concern.
- If water doesn’t seem hot enough or runs out quickly, that could also be a telltale sign that something’s amiss, and you should run checks to determine whether the problem stems from broken heating elements or your thermostat.
- Keep an eye out for signs of corrosion, such as rust and sludge, in your water heater’s tank, such as rust or sludge accumulation. Any such accumulation could indicate corrosion has taken hold.
Contact Hot Water Solutions if you are unsure that your water heater is working as it must. Our expert technicians can help to figure out what’s wrong. The failure of the machine may be due to some part of the machine which needs to be replaced. Our technicians are well-trained in providing repair, servicing, and installation for water heater systems throughout Australia.
