Water heaters have a predictable lifespan. They start well, quickly and reliably providing the house with a supply of hot water for a long time. Eventually, little problems start appearing as the tankless system starts wearing down due to using and maintenance is done every few months. As the years pass, the system’s overall performance drops and more serious issues pop up far more often. It’s about time you replace your tankless water heater.
Given that your water heater doesn’t suddenly develop major issues a few months into its purchase and needs a replacement, your tankless system should last you many years before it needs replacement. Regular maintenance every six months or so should take care of more minor issues, letting them last into the system’s expected lifespan. Yet, as with all machines, your water heater will eventually need to be replaced.
In this article, we’ll cover more about knowing when you need to replace your tankless water heater. Read on to find out more about tankless water heaters installation in Phoenix
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How long will a tankless water heater last?
Since tankless water heaters don’t store gallons of water as traditional heaters do, this often means that they last longer. However, in order to run efficiently, the system needs to be flushed clean of sediments regularly. Depending on the type of water your house uses, it’s recommended to flush the heater every year on well water and two to three years on city water. With the addition of water softeners – if your area uses hard water – and sediment filters, your tankless water heater should last between 20 and 30 years at best.
The water changes color
A clear sign you need to replace your water heater is when the hot water coming out of your taps is a rusty color. Additionally, if your water smells metallic, something in the system needs to be replaced. One cause can be that your heat exchangers are rusted, likely from corrosion from the high mineral content from the water. It’s also likely to come with other issues that affect the temperature of the heated water or how well the system works.
Rust building up on your tankless system’s heat exchangers is a sign that they’re starting to corrode. If the part becomes corroded enough, it can rupture and damage the entire system. The damage isn’t as bad as having a traditional water heater fail and burst. However, the system itself will need to be reinstalled, setting you back again. Instead, replacing the heat exchangers before rupture will actually cost less.
Puddles underneath the system
A puddle of water soaking into the carpet or concrete near the system means that there’s a break somewhere in the system. The metal that makes up the water heater’s parts expand as heat is applied, not only heating the water but also the parts around it. Similarly, as the metal cools, it shrinks and moves back into its original shape. This constant expanding and shrinking weakens the metal until, one day, too much expanding breaks it.
Small leaks are a simple thing to fix. A technician is more than likely able to come by to replace a few pipes to fix the issue. However, a large puddle soaking into the ground is a much more severe issue. The larger the leak is, the more likely that the pipes have corroded or broken far worse. The system itself is also likely to be nearly broken, if it hasn’t entirely shut down. At this point, it’s likely that the best option is to call in a professional to replace the water heater.
Your water is cold or lukewarm at times
As your water heater gets older, it will start to fail more as time goes on. Even with proper maintenance, the machine and its parts will start to age, slowly wearing down until it fails. One clear sign that your tankless water heater needs repair is that the water is lukewarm at best. While you may get a few more months out of your system if the water is room temperature, this is a sign you should start looking into replacements. The colder the water get, the more likely it is that your old system needs to be swapped out for something new.
Lowered water pressure
To a homeowner that doesn’t have the same knowledge as a trained professional, knowing when you have low water pressure can be difficult. However, there is a way to know that your tankless water heater needs to be replaced. If you’re starting to find some sediment coming through your taps, it’s a sign that the system is becoming too old.
It’s more than likely that, due to the lack of proper water pressure in the system, the sediments in the water aren’t filtering out as well. Combined with the possibility that the filters put in place are clogged up to the point that tears could have formed, the sediments in your tap water reveal that your tankless water heater is aged and needs replacement.
Unusual noises from the water heater
If you’re hearing odd clanking, or thumping coming from the water heater, it’s a sign that the system is breaking. However, while this is bad news, the issue can be something simpler too. There may be sediment or mineral deposits in the system or some connections may be loose. Regardless, calling a professional to give it a check helps you know if you need to replace the system entirely.
Conclusion
When wondering whether or not the system needs replacement, it’s always best to know what the water heater’s manufacturing information says. Additionally, knowing when your tankless system was first installed can further help you know whether it needs to be replaced or simply fixed. Issues like lowered water pressure and spotty water temperatures can often be a sign that the system needs replacement if it’s become old. Meanwhile, catching other issues like your water becoming a rusty color or leaks late can show that the system’s parts are corroded too far and need to be replaced. Knowing what these signs are can help prevent future accidents when dealing with a tankless water heater.
