Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater

Your water heater works hard behind the scenes to provide the hot water you need for your appliances and taps, and there’s a pretty good chance you take that hard work for granted – until a cold shower or a pool of water in your basement lets you know that it is taking some time off, perhaps for good.

Here are five signs that it could be time to replace your water heater:

1. Age – A conventional or storage water heater (one with a tank) will last about 10 years* on average – a number that can drop quickly if it is not properly maintained.
2. Higher bills – If your bills are getting higher even though heating oil prices haven’t changed much, your water heater is probably overworking to do its job – and suffering from inefficiency as a result.
3. Leaks or rusty water – A puddle of water under your tank – or rusty water coming from it – are signs that your water heater could be corroding from the inside out.
4. Hard water – White stains on your utensils and glassware are common signs of hard (mineral-containing) water. Your water supply could be hard to begin with, or the problem could be the result of a long-term build-up of lime in your tank; either way, those minerals will reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of your water heater.
5. Unusual noises – Growling or gurgling sounds in your storage tank are usually a sign of sediment build-up – a problem that eventually lead to costly water heater repairs or a premature replacement if it is not addressed.

If you’re experiencing these or any other problems with your water heater, it could be time for a new, high-efficiency water heater installation. Our water heater experts will help you choose a model that’s the right fit for your space, use, and budget, then install it quickly and correctly so you can get back to your hot showers and dry basement.

In the market for a new oil-fired or heat pump hybrid water heater? We’ve got them! Contact us today to learn more, or to get a FREE, no-obligation estimate on a new water heater in central MA.

*If you’re not sure how old your water heater is, here’s a trick: look for the serial number on the manufacturer’s nameplate. The first letter in the serial number corresponds to its month of production; the first two numbers its year of production. For example, in the serial number E072738598, “E”, the fifth letter in the alphabet, corresponds to May, the fifth month. The number “07” represents the year. The water heater was produced in May 2007 – which means it will probably need to be replaced sooner than later.