Water Heater Repairs vs. Replacement: Everything You Need to Know

When something bad happens to your water heater, what are you supposed to do next: repair or replace it? Although you’re not really sure how to begin to go about determining what’s best for you, there are ways to simplify the process. You need to ask yourself a couple of key questions:

• Are the repairs going to be worth it in the long run?
• Are you better off buying and installing a new water heater?

The answers to these questions will depend on several different factors:

How old is your water heater, exactly? Most systems have an average lifespan of 10 years. Once your water heater exceeds that limit, you should consider replacing it. However, if you have a newer and more modern water heater, then you are better off repairing it. It is worth noting that there are water heaters that last longer than others. For example, a storage tank or a heat pump can actually last up to 15 years and perform efficiently throughout that entire time. Furthermore, a tankless system has an average lifespan of 20 years and it can last even longer if you take good care of it.

You should always check the R-value of your water heater. What is the R-value? It measures your water heater’s level of heat-resistance. The R-value will essentially indicate if your water heater is well insulated or not. You are always better off with a higher R-value. That being said, if your water heater gets to a point where it is too hot to touch, then you will need to replace it.

You also want to determine the energy efficiency of your water heater. You can usually figure this out by taking a look at your monthly utility bills. Are your energy costs drastically increasing every month? This could be an indication that your water heater is no longer energy efficient and you will likely need to replace it.

In other words, are you receiving an adequate supply of hot water? You will notice that over the years your water heater is no longer as proficient as it once was a supplying you with hot water. Also, consider the size of your household. Are more people living with you now than before? There might be a much higher demand on your hot water now than there was a year ago.

Also, if you experience a breakdown with your current water heater, think about the level of satisfaction you were receiving from it. Was there enough hot water to go around before the breakdown? Was your current system heating up your water quick enough? Are you noticing that you have to wait a moment for your faucet to deliver hot water? When a breakdown occurs, this might be the perfect opportunity to replace your current system, which is now likely outdated and no longer optimal.

The costs of repairing your current system versus outright replacing it are always a deciding factor for many homeowners. You should always abide by one general rule with water heaters: if the repair is going to cost more than 50% of what the entire system is worth, then you should replace it. That being said, there are several other factors that you should also take into account. Here are some additional questions that you should ask yourself:

• How much is the repair – or repairs – going to cost?
• If you do decide to repair your current system, how much longer is it going to last? If the repair is going to extend the lifespan of your water heater by only a year or two, then you should consider replacing it instead. Also, if what you spend on repairs every year is exceeding 10% of the cost of installing a new water heater, then it’s not worth it.
• Is the contractor whom you hire offering a warranty? And if so, how long does it last?
• What is the price of your new water heater and how much will it cost to install it?
• What are the operating and maintenance costs going to be?

Sorting out all of the costs is a big part of determining what’s best for you moving forward.

If rusty water is coming from your water heater, then this will typically indicate that inside of the storage tank is beginning to corrode. This is what also happens right before your water heater begins leaking. However, if you have galvanized piping, then this is where the rust could be coming from. A good way to determine if your water heater is responsible for all of the rust is to drain a few five-gallon buckets worth of water from it. If your water remains rusty by the third bucket, then your water heater is to blame (and you will need to replace it).

As for the rumbling noises, this is something that happens over time when sediment begins to build up at the bottom of the storage tank for your water heater. Heating and reheating sediment will cause it to harden eventually. This is why you are hearing those banging noises from your water heater as it’s heating up. The buildup of sediment compromises your water heater’s overall efficiency and so your system has to compensate by spending extra time heating your water supply. Once this begins to happen, you can also expect small leaks to emerge from your water heater.

The process of deciding to install a new water heater is never simple, but we can always help make it easier. Call us today and one of our qualified HVAC technicians will tell you everything you need to know about water heater repair and replacement services. They can also explain what kind of maintenance procedures you will need to undergo if you decide you install a new system.