Eventually, you will have to replace your water heater. Knowing the signs you need to replace your water heater is important.
When choosing a new water heater, you must consider various factors, such as fuel source, energy-efficiency rating, and capacity size. Finally, you need to know what types of water heaters you can install in your home. This will help you choose the right one.
At M&E Plumbing, we can help you every step of the way with replacing your water heater.
Access to hot water is essential for everyday tasks, from washing your hands to cleaning your dishes. As a homeowner, it is important to understand when to replace your water heater.
Luckily, your water heater will give you some warning signs before it wears out.
Most water heaters are designed to last between eight to ten years. Once it is a decade old, you should replace it.
Not sure how old your water heater is? Take a look at the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker on the upper half of the tank.
The serial number starts with a letter, followed by 9 numbers. The first two numbers are what is important. The first two numbers following the letter represent the manufacturing year of the water heater.
If the manufacturing year was over a decade ago, it is time to get a new water heater.
How much you use your water heater will impact how long it will last. If you live in a three-bedroom house with only one occupant, your water heater will last longer than if you live in a three-bedroom home with six occupants.
The more you use your water heater, the sooner it will wear down.
If the hot water from your faucets is a rusty color instead of clear, your water heater has rusted from the inside out. Once this happens, your water heater needs to be replaced.
If your hot water has a strange metallic smell and taste when it comes out of your faucets, that is another sign that your water heater is breaking down inside.
All the flakes and grit from the inner tank are degrading and mixing with your water supply. You need to replace your water heater immediately.
Most water heaters are placed out of sight inside closets, garages, or basements. Be sure to check on your water heater every once in a while. Small leaks and drips can quickly get worse and result in flooding.
If you notice a puddle of water around the base of your water heater, your water heater is more than likely breaking down and needs to be replaced.
If you have found yourself sucked into a cycle of frequent repairs, it may be time to stop repairing your water heater and look at replacing it instead.
These are just a few signs you need to replace your water heater. If you are unsure if you should repair or replace your water heater, our expert plumbers at M&E Plumbing would be happy to assist the condition of your water heater and help you determine if it is time to replace it.
When selecting a new water heater for your home, there are a few factors you are going to want to consider:
First, you will want to consider what type of fuel you want to fuel your water heater.
The availability of the fuel type in your area and the cost will help you narrow down what fuel type is best for your home.
You should also consider what fuel you use for other appliances in your home when choosing the fuel source for your water heater.
For example, if you use natural gas for your stove and dryer, it makes sense to use it for your water heater.
You should also consider what fuel source you used for your current water heater. If you already have the set-up for a specific fuel type, it may be easier to stick to that fuel source. Switching fuel sources will increase the water heater replacement costs.
The top fuel sources for water heaters include:
If there are multiple fuel sources you could use, start looking more at fuel costs. Choose a fuel source that historically is lower in price in your area.
Second, you will want to consider your water heater's energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is basically how much energy it costs to run your water heater.
Why should you care about the energy efficiency of your water heater? Because it directly impacts your monthly water heater fuel bill. As they last for about a decade, energy efficiency will play a role in your fuel bill for years.
When shopping for a water heater, look at the energy efficiency rating, which is usually expressed as an Energy Factor, or EF. The closer the EF rating is to 1, the more energy-efficient the unit is.
Not sure if a water heater is that energy efficient? Look for the Energy Star label.
Third, you need to consider the storage capacity of the water heater and its physical size.
You want to size the water heater to meet your family’s hot water needs. Our team at M&E Plumbing can help you determine what size capacity water heater you need based on the size of your family and home.
You also need a water heater to fit in the area you have to place it. For example, if you have a short basement, you need to ensure that the water heater you choose isn’t too tall to fit. Or, if your current water heater is in a narrow closet, you need to make sure your new water heater is narrow enough to work there as well.
When choosing a new water heater, three important factors to consider are:
When selecting a new water heater for your home, there are a few factors you are going to want to consider:
First, you will want to consider what type of fuel you want to fuel your water heater.
The availability of the fuel type in your area and the cost will help you narrow down what fuel type is best for your home.
You should also consider what fuel you use for other appliances in your home when choosing the fuel source for your water heater.
For example, if you use natural gas for your stove and dryer, it makes sense to use it for your water heater.
You should also consider what fuel source you used for your current water heater. If you already have the set-up for a specific fuel type, it may be easier to stick to that fuel source. Switching fuel sources will increase the water heater replacement costs.
The top fuel sources for water heaters include:
If there are multiple fuel sources you could use, start looking more at fuel costs. Choose a fuel source that historically is lower in price in your area.
Second, you will want to consider your water heater's energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is basically how much energy it costs to run your water heater.
Why should you care about the energy efficiency of your water heater? Because it directly impacts your monthly water heater fuel bill. As they last for about a decade, energy efficiency will play a role in your fuel bill for years.
When shopping for a water heater, look at the energy efficiency rating, which is usually expressed as an Energy Factor, or EF. The closer the EF rating is to 1, the more energy-efficient the unit is.
Not sure if a water heater is that energy efficient? Look for the Energy Star label.
Third, you need to consider the storage capacity of the water heater and its physical size.
You want to size the water heater to meet your family’s hot water needs. Our team at M&E Plumbing can help you determine what size capacity water heater you need based on the size of your family and home.
You also need a water heater to fit in the area you have to place it. For example, if you have a short basement, you need to ensure that the water heater you choose isn’t too tall to fit. Or, if your current water heater is in a narrow closet, you need to make sure your new water heater is narrow enough to work there as well.
When choosing a new water heater, three important factors to consider are:
When replacing your water heater, most people will stick to the same type of water heater that they had previously. However, you can choose to install a different kind of water heater.
Not sure what type of water heater you need? We can help you figure out the best water heater for your home.
Is your water heater showing signs that it needs to be replaced?
M&E Plumbing can help you choose the right water heater for your home and take care of installing your new water heater and hauling away your old water heater.
M&E Plumbing provides water heater replacement services to Grundy, Kendall, & Will Counties
Call us at 815-600-9215, or use our service request form to arrange a service call.
Monday-Friday
7:00 AM to 4:30 PM
IDPH Plumber License #058-176207
