Water heaters aren’t often considered the most important part of a home’s infrastructure, at least not until the water coming out of your faucet appears murky or colder than the temperature you set it for. If these minor issues do occur, you may need to make some adjustments or repairs to it. However, more severe issues may show that you’ll need to replace your water heater entirely.
At Argent Heating & Cooling, we provide top-quality water and heating appliances, as well as expert repairs and water heater replacement services. Throughout the Washington D.C. Metro area, we have served numerous residents and businesses for nearly 40 years, providing highly-trained and certified technicians in heating, cooling, and appliance repair.
Here are three reasons why you may need to replace your water heater:
Age of the Water Heater
The first reason why you would need to replace your water heater is because of how old it is. Mainly, this is an issue if you’ve moved into an older home, but it can still occur in newer homes for other circumstances.
Regardless, an older water heater means one that is more likely to cause difficulties in the future, as well as work less efficiently than a newer one. So, on top of going without the quality of running water that you prefer, you will also receive higher costs on your energy bills.
In order to see if your water heater is too old, check the appliance itself for any leftover labels that indicate its last maintenance service or date of installation.
If you can’t find those, try looking for the manufacturer’s label of the heater, then look up its production history online. This is useful when considering a more efficient replacement.
As a rule of thumb, remember that tank water heaters last between 8 to 12 years, while tankless water heaters can last up to twenty years. Of course, their life spans depend on whether they’ve received proper maintenance.
Maintenance History
The lack of attention towards properly maintaining your water heater is another reason why you may want to replace it.
A water heater requires thorough maintenance as much as any other appliance within your home. However, the less it receives, the more likely you’ll need to repair or replace it.
This is due to the fact that minor malfunctions and defects are going unnoticed and unaddressed. Over time, these smaller issues will develop and cause more serious problems later on, which may lead to costly repairs.
Thus, if your water heater does not have a good track record in terms of its maintenance history, then you may have reason to replace it with a newer model.
Severe Signs of Wear
Finally, when you notice there are continuous signs of wear and tear from your water heater, it is best to begin the replacement process.
Though repairs can be made to lengthen its lifespan, it will never permanently fix the degradation it has already gone through.
In some cases, the costs of repeatedly repairing your failing water heater can end up being more expensive in the long run than fully replacing it, especially if you consider the additional energy expenses you’ll have.
Below, we provide a list of common signs of wear that you should look for in your water heater:
- Leaks – Check for moisture or puddles around the base of the water heater. This means there is likely too much water pressure or too high a temperature within the tank. If left unaddressed, this could lead to a tank explosion and serious damage to your system.
- Knocking Sounds – These are usually caused by a collection of sediment that’s built up and hardened inside the tank, causing loud knocking or gurgling sounds.
- Rusty-colored, Cloudy, or Cold Water – A deterioration in water quality or temperature means a decline in your water heater’s condition. If the water is rusty or smells metallic, that means you’ll have to replace an anode rod or that the inside of the tank has begun to rust.
Argent Heating & Cooling: Water Heating Replacement in Washington D.C Metro Area
Replacement is inevitable when it comes to our home’s various appliances. Whether it is because your current model has become defective, or because there are more efficient and advanced systems available for us to use, replacing your water heater or other home appliances is always an overall improvement for you and your home.
To receive an affordable water heater replacement, as well as expert installation services, hire an experienced professional from Argent Heating & Cooling. We have the most well-trained and seasoned technicians in all of the Washington D.C. Metro area. For over 40 years, we’ve done our best to retain the highest satisfaction from our clients through friendly, open customer service, and thorough attention to detail.
Contact us at (703) 281-6300 for more information about our services and schedule an appointment with an expert technician.
