While you might not give it much thought, your home’s water heater plays an important role in your overall well-being. From supplying hot water for your showers to allowing you to thoroughly clean your dishes and clothing, a well-functioning water heater is an absolute necessity for any household. Unfortunately, if your water heater is experiencing any of the issues below, it’s likely time to consider an upgrade.
1. Leaking Water
One of the most obvious signs that your water heater needs replacement is that it’s leaking water. Over time, the inside of your water heater’s tank can start to corrode due to factors like excess mineral sediments and a lapse in regular maintenance service. This corrosion eventually eats away at the bottom of the tank, allowing water to start leaking out.
You’ll notice water pooling on the floor underneath your unit. It’s important to have one of our plumbing professionals assess the issue further to ensure that the leaking is coming from your tank and not a loose fitting on the outside of the tank. It’s important to know that a water heater’s tank cannot be patched. The only solution is to simply replace it with a whole new unit.
2. It’s Over 10 Years Old
Most tank-style water heaters are designed to last for around 8 to 12 years with proper maintenance, care and upkeep. If your water heater is currently 10 years old or older, then it’s time to think about getting an upgrade. It’s best to plan an upgrade at a time that is most convenient for you instead of being forced into an upgrade when your water heater unexpectedly fails. Plus, when you plan a water heater replacement, you get time to assess the different options available so that you can choose the best one to meet your individual needs.
3. Weird Operational Noises
It’s not uncommon for your water heater to make some noise during operation. If you hear a crackling or hissing sound, it’s perfectly normal for most electric water heaters. However, if you start to notice noises out of the ordinary, it’s a cause for concern. Sounds like banging, popping, and rumbling can typically indicate that there’s too much sediment buildup inside of your tank. This can cause the unit to overheat and eventually fail.
4. Temperature Irregularities
Another sign that your water heater is on the fritz is that it can’t produce a consistent water temperature. These temperature irregularities are caused by system inefficiency. It’s very common over time to notice that your water heater simply isn’t getting up to the appropriate temperature on its thermostat setting. It’s typically best to replace the whole water heater instead of worrying about replacing worn-out parts.
5. Discolored Water
Another key sign that your water heater is going to need replacement service soon is that it’s producing a discoloration in your hot water. Over time, mineral deposits can build up inside your water heater tank. This will cause the inside of the tank to corrode. Little rust flakes will enter the hot water and show up as a reddish hue in your hot water supply. Unfortunately, just flushing your water heater isn’t going to be enough to eliminate this discoloration issue. You’ll need to replace the entire tank due to the extensive amount of corrosion.
6. Frequent Repairs
If you’re calling a plumber frequently to repair issues with your water heater, it’s likely that you’re in need of a new one. It’s typically best to follow the two-thirds rule when it comes to repairs for your water heater. This rule states that you should never pay more than two-thirds of the cost of a new water heater to repair your existing one.
7. Inefficient Operation
Another less noticeable sign that your water heater is in need of professional replacement service is that your energy bills are increasing. As its internal parts start to wear out, it will become less and less efficient. This will cause your water heater to run more often and run up your energy bills. Investing in a new water heater can be a great way to lower your energy bills. You can even take advantage of more energy-efficient options to enjoy lower operating costs over the lifespan of your new water heater.
8. Odd Smelling Water
Because your water heater is an enclosed space, it’s susceptible to bacteria growth. This growth can spawn from the corrosion inside of your water heater. Or it can be the result of having your temperature below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You should always resist turning down the temperature even during times when you’re away on vacation as it can allow unwanted bacteria to grow inside of your tank. While it’s possible in some cases to flush and treat the tank, that doesn’t always work. Sometimes, the bacteria is so extensive that you will need to replace the entire unit.
Tips on Selecting a Replacement Water Heater
When you determine that you need to replace your old water heater, there are many different factors that you want to consider when selecting a new one. One of the first ones is the type of fuel that you want your water heater to use. While electric water heaters are very common, they can also be powered by natural gas. If you have natural gas in your home, you may want to consider upgrading to a natural gas-burning water heater. You’ll enjoy lower operating costs compared to an electric version.
Another factor to consider is the overall gallon capacity of your new water heater. Your capacity demands are going to be highly dependent on the size of your home and the number of people in it. Typically, small homes with just a couple of people can get away with a 50- to 60-gallon water heater. Homes with around three to four people may need an 80-gallon water heater to be effective. If your home has more than four people in it, then you may want to consider a larger 120-gallon water heater tank.
Water heaters come with different efficiency ratings. The more efficient a water heater is, the better its rating will be. While more efficient water heaters do come at a higher upfront cost, they provide much lower operating costs than standard efficiency water heaters.
Another thing to consider is if you want to upgrade to a tankless water heater. The smaller water heaters provide more efficient operation than their tank-style counterparts. They have a much longer lifespan and don’t take up as much space. However, tankless water heaters do come at a much higher upfront cost than your traditional tank-style water heaters.
Reliable Water Heater Replacement Service
Bobby L. Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. offers reliable water heater replacement service to the Shreveport, LA community. We can also assist with all your plumbing, drain and sewer, heating, air conditioning, commercial plumbing, and HVAC maintenance needs. Call us today to book your next service call with one of our experienced professionals.
