Can a water heater last 40 years? (2023)

What is the longest a water heater will last?

Typically a residential hot water heater lasts between 6 and 13 years. Beyond 12 years, you are on borrowed time!

Average Lifespan Of A Hot Water Heater

With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.

How Long Do Water Heaters Last? Based on the manufacturer's suggested service life, the life expectancy of a water heater is about eight to 12 years. That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.

Tankless water heaters typically have a lifespan of 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters with standing water tanks can last around 10 to 15 years before you notice signs of age.

Once the anode rod deteriorates, this glass lining is the only thing preventing the tank from rusting out. On its own, this lining doesn't last very long. The other layers of protection are provided by the installer of the water heater and mandated by most plumbing codes.

The 50% rule states that if any repair costs 50% of what it would cost to replace, then you should replace it, rather than repair it. However, even if your current repair does not add up to 50% of a new water heater you to want keep in mind the frequency of repairs and your water heater's age.

Rheem hot water systems have a typical life span of between 5 and 15 years depending on water conditions and how well the system has been serviced. You can add years to the life to a Rheem hot water system if you have it serviced every 5 years.

Check for a manufacturer label on the side of your water heater — this should include the installation date. If the label is missing, or the installation date is not listed, you can use the serial number to determine the age of your unit.

A 50-gallon water heater costs around $1,000 for an electric heater and $1,200 for a natural gas heater of the same capacity.

Should you flush an old water heater?

It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year. Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time.

The anode rod is “self-sacrificing” and will continue to corrode until eventually it must be replaced. When there's no sacrificial metal left on the anode, the tank can rust out, eventually causing it to burst.

They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water -- around 86 gallons per day. In some cases you may be able to achieve even greater energy savings if you install a demand water heater at each hot water outlet.

However, it's recommended they be serviced once a year. Electric vs. gas water heater maintenance: Both electric water heaters and gas water heaters can be maintained in similar ways. Both types of water heaters should be flushed regularly to prevent a build-up of rust and corrosion.

Sediment buildup shortens the life of your water heater and adds to your energy bill by reducing its efficiency. Draining two or three gallons of water is usually enough to flush out sediments, but always let the water flow until you no longer see particles in the bucket.

50 gallon water heater

Considering an average shower uses 17.2 gallons of water you can typically have enough hot water for up to five people to take a shower within an hour.

Using a tankless water heater can reduce these costs by up to 50 percent, for an average annual savings of $80. They are durable and less likely to fail, causing potentially catastrophic flooding in your home. Tankless units have an average lifespan about twice that of conventional water heaters — 20 years or more.

Water Heater Costs

On average, the cost to replace a water heater is $1,200, including the price of the new unit and labor. At the low end, bargain hunters can get it done for as little as $815.

120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.

What is the most reliable brand of hot water heater?

Water Heater Lifespan

If your tank water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years. A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years. Check your water heater's warranty for the most accurate timelines.

50 gallon water heater

Considering an average shower uses 17.2 gallons of water you can typically have enough hot water for up to five people to take a shower within an hour.

In general, 40-gallon heaters last for about eight years, while 50-gallon heaters can last 12 years. This is because 50-gallon heaters have thicker tanks. As a result, they are less likely to develop leaks. A 50-gallon water heater will last about 8 to 20 years, which is longer than most water heaters.

Rheem hot water systems have a typical life span of between 5 and 15 years depending on water conditions and how well the system has been serviced. You can add years to the life to a Rheem hot water system if you have it serviced every 5 years.

Bradford White water heaters are widely regarded as some of the most durable on the market. They come with an array of well-thought-out features that enable them to stand up to all kinds of wear and tear that results from regular use. Overall, they have a longer service life than Rheem water heaters.

Even water heaters with the same brand's sticker on the front differ in quality, longevity, and warranty depending on where they are sold. For example, water heaters sold at a big box store are significantly different from those sold through a plumbing supply distributor.

Check for a manufacturer label on the side of your water heater — this should include the installation date. If the label is missing, or the installation date is not listed, you can use the serial number to determine the age of your unit.

How much hot water does a 20 minute shower use?

If a standard showerhead is fitted, it will use around an extra half a gallon each minute, accounting for a 25-gallon emittance every 10 minutes, or 50 gallons throughout a 20-minute shower.

If you have a low-flow showerhead installed, you can expect to use about two gallons of water per minute, equalling 20 gallons throughout a 10-minute shower. With a standard showerhead, around half a gallon more water will emerge each minute, so a 10-minute shower would use somewhere close to 25 gallons.

Assuming that the rates of electricity and water in your area are near the national average, 12 cents per kilowatt-hour and $1.50/1k U.S. gallons, each shower will cost you 25 cents or 51 cents per day for the whole household, according to the shower cost calculator by Omni.

A 50-gallon water heater costs around $1,000 for an electric heater and $1,200 for a natural gas heater of the same capacity.

Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people. Energy consumption for 40 and 50 gallon standard water heaters is quite comparable.

Water Heater Sizes

The answer to this question will vary depending on the total number of kids you have. For example, a family of 3 to 4 people should purchase a 50 – 60 gallon water heater. On the other hand, a household with 5 – 7 people may require a water heater with a 60 – 80 gallon water tank.