How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last?

One of the very last things anyone wants to deal with is the loss of hot water. This is especially true if you’re a homeowner. It’s easy to sometimes forget just how often we use hot water over the course of our everyday lives. We use it to shower, bathe, wash dishes, clean and do laundry. None of these tasks would be possible without a water heater.

The US Department of Energy estimates that a water heater accounts for about 20% of a household’s energy bills. This should give you an idea of just how much we rely on the home appliance. And since we are so reliant upon water heaters, it’s important to know what options are out there and what would work best for your home.

Tankless Water Heaters

Electric and oil water heaters tend to be outdated and inefficient. They don’t have a particularly long lifespan. In fact, the average lifespan is only about 10 years.

Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, provide an endless supply of hot water on demand and will last much longer.

But the benefits don’t stop there. A tankless water heater can help your home in numerous ways.

• Their small and compact size allows you to have freedom in terms of where they can be placed either inside or outside your house. They are even small enough to fit in a closet or crawl space, which keeps them out of view.
• There is sometimes a waiting period while water heats up with a traditional water heater. Thanks to the endless supply of hot water that tankless water heaters provide, hot water is always ready and available.
• Traditional water heaters use a lot of unnecessary energy, which often adds up to a homeowner spending unnecessary amounts of money. This is because the hot water that they store that doesn’t get used cools itself down and then needs to be reheated. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, are only working when there’s a need for hot water.
• Since tankless water heaters only work when there’s a need for hot water, they are a financially smart decision. Thanks to a tankless water heater, you could end up saving about 40% on your energy bills!

The Longevity of a Tankless Water Heater

As mentioned above, most traditional water heaters have a lifespan of about 10 years. If a water heater is well maintained and taken care of, it could last for about 13 years. Tankless water heaters last longer. On average, tankless water heaters last about 18 years.

Replacing Your Water Heater

You may want to think about replacing your water heater if:

• It’s hit the 10-year mark
• You’re suddenly spending more on energy bills even though the price of fuel or the amount of hot water you’re using haven’t increased
• Your storage tank is making growling or gurgling noises
• You’re noticing leaks, water puddles or rust around your tank
• Hard water stains are appearing on glassware or silverware that has just come out of the dishwasher

Hocon and Hot Water Heaters

Hocon is proud to offer water heater installation, propane tankless water heaters and storage tank water heaters to homeowners in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. Contact us today to learn all about your water heater options.