How long does an electric water heater last?

So you’re looking to buy an electric water heater. Great! But what’s the life expectancy? You don’t want to be buying a new one every year, do you? I’m sure your landlord would appreciate that–you won’t have to worry about paying rent anymore because you’ll be renting hot water heaters instead of apartments!

This blog post will help answer all your questions about the lifespan of an electric water heater so that you can take the appropriate actions for your situation.

The average lifespan of an electric water heater is 8 years.

The first three years are when it has the best performance and efficiency, but after this timeframe, things start going downhill fast.

By five years in, it’s estimated that half of its original energy output is gone. After that, the efficiency starts eroding quickly, and by 8 years in it can take twice as long to heat water as when it was new.

So take advantage of your hot water heater while you’ve still got it! Go ahead and shower longer–you’re paying for the energy so you might as well use it. And once eight years rolls around, don’t bother repairing or replacing your unit. Just pay for an entirely new one so you’ll never have to worry about these issues again.

How to extend the lifespan of your electric heater?

It’s possible to extend the lifespan of your electric water heater if you know-how to. The two biggest factors are cleaning your tank annually and turning down the temperature of your hot water heater regularly.

With these two simple tasks, you’ll be able to double or even triple your electric water heater’s lifespan!

Factors that determine the life expectancy of an electric heater

• Many other factors may affect the life expectancy of your particular water heater (such as corrosion and sediment buildup), but for most people, it will last about 8 years.
• However, this number is typically only if you’re using 2-3 cycles per day. If you use more than that, then expect it to last around 6 years instead. So take care of your water heater so it can take care of you…and once eight years rolls around don’t bother repairing or replacing your unit! Just pay for an entirely new one so you’ll never have to worry about these issues again.
• As with any appliance, water quality affects how long it will last. The harder the water you have, the shorter your heater’s life will be. That’s because hard water can cause sediment buildup and corrosion in an electric water heater–especially black tanks–which causes leaks and damages instead of protecting them as they should. If you want to extend the life of your tank as much as possible, consider investing in a softener for all incoming hot and cold water lines.
• A second factor is where you live. Water heaters that are used frequently (2-3 times per day) tend to have longer lives than those that aren’t used as often (on average 8 years vs 6 years). This makes sense: if no one’s using your heater, then it won’t be anywhere near its full potential efficiency. So if you live in a household with more than 2 people, get ready to change out that heater within 6 years.
• A third factor is the climate where you live. Heaters used in low-humidity climates will generally last longer than those in high-humidity climates. This is because hot air can evaporate moisture and cause corrosion during use, which shortens the life of water heaters.

Perhaps the biggest factor in how long your electric water heater will last is how you use it daily.

So take advantage of your hot water heater while you’ve still got it! Go ahead and shower longer–you’re paying for the energy so you might as well use it. And once eight years rolls around, don’t bother repairing or replacing your unit. Just pay for an entirely new one so you’ll never have to worry about these issues again.

How Do You Know When A Water Heater Needs To Be Replaced?

There are a few warning signs that indicate you need to replace your water heater:

– When the pilot light is out more often than not, regardless of how many times you relight it. If it goes out more than twice a month, then expect to have to replace it soon.

– If there are mineral stains around the outside of the tank. When sediments are loose inside the tank, they can rise with the water and leave ugly marks on your walls. This is a sign that you have to replace your water heater.

– If there are substantial rust or cracks in the tank exterior. If you don’t take care of it now, chances are it’ll leak shortly.

– If it no longer provides enough hot water for your household needs. If there’s only one shower running and the water’s not getting hot…or if you have to run two showers back-to-back just to get clean, then it might be time to replace your water heater.

– If it hasn’t been replaced in the last 8 years. Manufacturers usually recommend replacing electric heaters every 8 years–even if they still look fine. This is because, although it’s invisible to the naked eye, sediment builds up inside a tank and corrodes its steel exterior over time. So to avoid future problems and costly repairs, replace it before it starts to malfunction.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Water Heater?

The cost to replace a water heater depends on the type of heater you currently have (tank or tankless), where you live (city or rural area), and how old your current heater is.

– If you have a traditional tank water heater, it’ll cost anywhere from $300 to $600 for labor alone. That means the heater itself will only set you back about half that amount.

– If you have one of those fancy new tankless heaters, then expect to pay around $1,000 for both parts and labor. That means the heater itself will cost you about $500-$800.

– If you live in a rural area, then expect to pay at least 10% more than the average price listed above. This is because there are fewer plumbers available in rural areas, so they can charge more for their services.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it: everything you need to know about water heaters! Now that you’re an expert, don’t wait until your heater starts having problems. Replacing it early will save you money in the long run.

But if you still have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll try our best to answer!