If your showers are cut short by low water temperatures from your heater, or your utility bills are suddenly higher than expected, your water heater may be approaching the end of its service life. Read on to learn the symptoms associated with a failing water heater and how to select an efficient water heater replacement that suits your home’s needs.
Understanding How Your Water Heater Works
Water heaters use gas burners or electric heating elements to heat water for use throughout your home. As cold water flows into the unit, the thermostat detects the temperature change, triggers the heating system, and turns it off once the water reaches the preset temperature.
Tank vs. tankless water heaters
Conventional tank water heaters and tankless units operate with the same principle, but the process differs. Tank water heaters feature a large storage cistern, which takes energy to keep consistently warm and ready for use. They provide a large volume of hot water at once, but they do have limitations — once the tank is empty, you may have to wait several hours for it to fully reheat the refilled water.
Tankless water heaters, also called on-demand heaters, only heat water when needed. These units don’t store hot water in a tank and instead heat water as it passes on its way to the appropriate fixture. These systems don’t lose efficiency from standby water heating the way tanks do, but a single unit may delay or struggle to deliver adequate hot water to multiple fixtures, particularly if they’re far away. Many homeowners in Boise, ID opt for multiple tankless water heaters to easily supply their entire home, with some installed closely to fixtures that rely most on hot water, such as in the cupboard below your kitsch sink.
Why performance declines over time
As your water heater ages, several factors can cause its performance to decline. These include:
- Sediment buildup: Calcium, magnesium, and other sediment and minerals form sediment in the tank or heat exchanger. Over time, this buildup reduces heating efficiency, lowers hot water output, and damages system components.
- Age-related inefficiencies: Burners, heating elements, and other heater components gradually break down and corrode over time, especially if the anode rod is faulty or degraded. Water quality can also accelerate the aging process.
- Natural wear and tear: Even with proper maintenance, water heaters experience general deterioration that leads to issues with insulation, heating elements, valves, and other components.
Signs Your Water Heater is Struggling
Here are common signs that your water heater is struggling and may need repair or replacement:
- Inconsistent hot water supply: If water runs out quickly or is lukewarm when it should be hot, your water heater’s elements may be worn out or coated with sediment.
- Long heating times: If your water heater takes too long to heat or experiences slow recovery time after heavy usage, sediment buildup or a faulty heating system may be responsible.
- Unusual noises: Popping, cracking, rumbling, and other strange noises from your water heater indicate sediment buildup.
- Leaking or pooling water: Leaks typically stem from corrosion in the tank. Puddles of water and other signs of leaks require prompt attention — leaking water heaters can lead to water damage, electrical hazards, contaminated water supply, and potentially a ruptured tank.
- Rusty or discolored water: Rusty or discolored water indicates corrosion within the water heater.
- High utility bills: Sudden spikes in your electricity or gas bills without changes to your hot water usage suggest underlying inefficiencies in your water heater.
Why Repair Might Not Be Enough
Faulty thermostats, degraded anode rods, and similarly minor issues are cost-effective to fix and can prolong the lifespan of your water heater. In other cases, repairs aren’t enough to address underlying issues, especially if your unit is outdated, damaged, or at the end of its expected lifespan.
Water heaters last between 10 and 20 years depending on the type, model, and maintenance. As they age and their components gradually degrade, water heaters experience a decline in efficiency and reliability. Tank leaks, for example, aren’t repairable, and often necessitate a new unit before these concerns escalate into water damage and other hazards.
Worn components reduce efficiency, causing high energy bills, especially compared to modern models with more efficient designs. Recurring or frequent issues from degraded components also become more costly to keep up with — if they begin rivaling the cost of a new unit, replacement is often more cost-effective long-term.
Benefits of Replacing Your Water Heater
Replacing your water heater offers several advantages, including:
- Improved energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
- Consistent water temperature and faster recovery times.
- Safety feature upgrades and reduced risk of leaks, corrosion, or overheating.
- Peace of mind with improved reliability and fewer repair costs.
Choosing the Right Replacement Water Heater
Selecting the right replacement water heater for your home directly impacts your home’s functionality, comfort, and efficiency. Consider these key factors when choosing a water heater:
- Household size: Larger families consume more hot water and may need a water heater with a large storage tank or a powerful tankless unit.
- Hot water demand: Consider how much water your household relies on daily and during peak times.
- Energy efficiency: Look for models with high Energy Star ratings to maximize utility bill savings. Long-term energy savings can often offset upfront costs for high-efficiency models.
Tank units are standard in many households and ideal for those with consistent hot water needs throughout the day rather than periods of heavy usage. These units have a large footprint, however, and can be less energy-efficient if they’re constantly keeping unused hot water warm.
Tankless units are great for homes with limited space since they’re compact and easily installed in cupboards, closets, attics, and other small areas. They also don’t waste energy heating large tanks of water. A single tankless unit may struggle to supply large or multi-level homes, in which case your home may benefit from several installed strategically throughout your home.
Call Express Plumbing in Boise, ID for Water Heater Replacement
When your water heater isn’t heating enough and can’t meet your home’s demands, consider a water heater replacement with the help of the Express Plumbing team in Boise, Idaho. Take advantage of energy efficiency and comfort benefits with a new unit as well as our flexible financing and maintenance plans. Contact us or book online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does hot water heater replacement cost?
Water heater replacement costs vary depending on the type of water heater, the unit’s size, the installation’s complexity, and other upgrades or repairs required. Tank water heaters typically have lower upfront costs than tankless units.
