Hot Water Heater Repair & Installation

Somewhere around 10 years; it could last as little as 6 years or as long as 15.

There are 5 main signs a hot water heater is going bad:

1) The water heater is leaking.
2) Your water is discolored, typically from rust. 
3) You find that you keep running out of hot water while showering etc.
4) The water heater is making unusual noises.
5) Frequent, sometimes costly repairs (if a repair is costly, it’s often better to replace the heater rather than fix it, as you may continue to need repairs).

If your hot water heater is more than 10 years old, you may decide to replace it since the average life span of a hot water heater is 10-15 years.

As with most things, when it comes to tankless water heaters, there are pros and cons.

The Pros of Tankless Water Heaters:
* An unlimited supply of hot water! 
* Long-term energy and cost savings
* They take up less space
* More options for where you install 
* Lower risk of water damage from leaks
* Life expectancy of over 20 years
* No risk of tank exploding
* Lower risk of burns and toxic metal exposure

The Cons of Tankless Water Heaters:
* Higher upfront costs to purchase and install
* Maximum hot water output is limited to the capacity of the water heater installed — multiple simultaneous users could temporarily result in lower water temperature for everyone 
* The size of the water heater you can install may be limited by the maximum flow of gas at your location and other factors
* Whether it is gas or electric, a tankless water heater requires electricity to operate
*Requires more maintenance than a standard water heater

Here are the typical use recommendations based on the number of people using the hot water. However, the average home in America has about a 50 gallon water tank.

1-2 people: 30-40 gallons
2-3 people: 40-50
3-4 people: 50-60
5+ people: 60-80 gallons

Tankless: Unlike traditional water heaters that store 30-80 gallons of water, this hot water heater warms the water instantly as it passes through a gas or electric powered heat exchanger unit. However, depending on water usage, you may choose to get either a bigger or smaller tankless unit (this is referred to as “flow rate number”).

Gas and Electric Water Heaters: Water heaters run on either gas or electric, or a combination of both. When it’s time to replace your water heater, analyze the benefits of each. You may find that more money upfront, will save you more in the long run.

Sizes: Water heaters range from as little as a 30 gallon tank, to more than an 80 gallon tank, depending on the amount of people, and the activities taking place. The average size water heater in American households is about 50 gallons. In certain situations though, it may work best to have two or more hot water heaters, in multiple locations. Some hot water heaters may be taller and slimmer than others of the same capacity, which is something to consider when analyzing your space.

First Hour Rating (FHR): This option refers to the amount of hot water your unit can produce within the first hour. For example, if you have several people taking showers around the same time in the morning, and the washer going etc. you’ll want a higher rating.

Energy Efficiency: Look for an Energy Star rating on your hot water heater. The better the rating, the better for the environment, the better for infrastructure, and of course, the lower your energy bill will be. This is a significant component in your overall energy use, since hot water heating accounts for about 18 percent of the total household energy use.

The typical cost to install a tankless water heater as of 2023, including the unit, is between $4000 and $6500.