How long do water heaters last?
- Water heaters only average 10 years of safe reliability.
How do I know how old my water heater is?
- Typically, the first four digits of the serial number will tell how old the water heater is. The first two numbers will be either letters or numbers and correspond with the month (i.e. 12** or *L** would be December) and the 3rd and 4th digits would be the year (i.e. **98 would be 1998). So if the first four digits were "1298" or "*L98" your heater was made in December of 1998. Water heaters are usually installed within a month or two of their manufactured date.
I am a part time resident and only use my water heater for a few months out of the year. Does this mean that my water heater will last longer?
- Unfortunately, no. Your water heater is always full of water regardless if you are "using" it or not. The longer it sits unused, the worse it is on the tank and heating elements. Sediment is allowed to build up as the water inside turns stagnant causing more corrosion to deteriorate the internal parts of your water heater including the elements, anode rod, and the tank itself.
What about "tankless" water heaters?
- If you are considering going tankless than it is really a question about gas or electric tankless water heaters. Gas fired tankless water heaters work great assuming that you already have gas service in your home which few of us do here in Southwest Florida. However, electric tankless water heaters do not work so well. Whole home tankless electric water heaters require a substantial amount of power. What this means is that you are going to pay substantially more money to an electrician to provide the necessary amount of power (if possible) needed by an electric tankless heater. Along with the added expense you will have to make some sacrifices to water pressure/ flow, voltage drop at lighting fixtures (lights dim when hot faucet is opened), and repairing or replacing the entire unit in the event of a power surge. With all of this factored in, we strongly urge you to stick with a standard "tank type" water heater.
What Is The Most Important Part Of A Water Heater?
-The anode rod.
What Is An Anode Rod?
- An anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod within the water heater that protects against corrosion of the water heater tank which in turn, PREVENTS IT FROM RUPTURING.
How Does An Anode Rod Work?
- By electrolysis.
Electrolysis means when two metals are physically connected in water, one will corrode away to protect the other.
When Will My Water Heater Start Leaking?
- After the anode rod corrodes, THE TANK ITSELF WILL CORRODE.
Can I Prevent The tank From Corroding?
- YES! By adding a 2nd anode rod you'll extend the life of the water heater and the warranty by 4 years, totalling 10 years of 100% Unconditional Guarenteed problem-free use.
What Is The Difference Between The 6 Year & 10 Year Warranty?
- The 6 year warranty come with a single anode rod.
- The 10 Year Warranty comes with dual (2) anode rods.
