What's the average life expectancy of a water heater?

[Archae]

Reason I'm asking, the one installed in my apartment December 3, 1992 is finally giving out on me, and I get a new one today.

And I do have hard water.

[bluethruandthru]

1. About 10 years

is what I've heard. Mine's been in since 95 and I really need a new one soon.

[Orrex]

2. African or European?

With a couple of swallows!


nyuk nyuk nyuk
:rofl:

I gotta million of 'em!

[catmandu57]

3. There's a lot of varibles

Electric/ Gas quality of the original, heat setting, but anywhere to seven to ten years. Electrics every so often the elements burn out and need replaced, not the entire heater.

[av8rdave]

4. From all I've read,

whether the water heater is married or single has a lot to do with it, as well as its stress level.

Seriously, I last replaced a water heater when it was just about 10 years old. It was a "cheapie" that the builder installed, so that was probably to be expected.

I would think 15 years out of a good one is pretty reasonable.

[Zookeeper]

5. We just replaced ours which was less than seven years old...

and was leaking from the bottom. Unfortunately, the warranty was limited to the original owner of the house.

We were in our previous home for ten years and never had to replace the WH, so I think the quality can really vary.

14 years is a good, long life for a water heater.

[Nicole]

6. Mine lasted 20 years

I do have a plumber friend who came over & rodded it out every couple of years to extend it's life.

I think what he did was called rodding it out. He inserted a rod in it to clear all the sediment out of it. He also drains it completely at that time & flushes it out.

[mtnester]

7. In our town? 5.1 years

or about 15 days after the warranty is up, whichever is applicable.

You can see it coming. First one water heater, then the following week dozens at the curb.

Even though we have city water, it is crappy and hard as a rock.