My 14-year-old water heater seems to be working fine, but should I think about replacing it soon?

The Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program recommends replacing water heaters that are more than 10 years old; however, age isn't the only factor to consider.  At 14 years old, your water heater is most likely out of warranty.  If it's several years past coverage, it might be a good time to look for a replacement. Also, due to 2015 federal standards, today's water heaters are more energy efficient.  Compared with your old one, a new water heater can cut your utility bill significantly - especially if it is Energy Star certified. Heating water is the second-largest expense in our homes, according to the Department of Energy, accounting for 14% to 18% of our utility bills.

If you decide to buy, a new water heater for your home can cost anywhere from $300 - $3000 depending on the size and type.  Installation fees can add hundreds of dollars more.  

Deciding if you should repair or replace your water heater is an important decision.

Most people do not think about their water heater until there is a problem, then you have to make a quick decision, 'Do I repair my existing water heater? or do I purchase a new one?' Here are a few things to consider to help you make a more informed decision.

THE AGE OF THE WATER HEATER

• Is the heater still under warranty? If so, then repairing the unit may be the best solution.
• The older the heater is, the more likely it is to break down leaving you without hot water. Newer models can provide energy saving, so if the unit is older than 10 years, you may be able to reduce your monthly operating costs by replacing the older water heater with a new, more energy efficient model.

THE WATER HEATER IS LEAKING

• If the unit is leaking, then it may be time to replace the water heater before any further damage is done to the surrounding area.
• Leaking tanks may result from years of rust and corrosion caused by contaminants in the incoming water. Once the storage tank has been breached, then your only choice may be to replace the water heater.

THE WATER HEATER IS NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH HOT WATER

• Times change and your hot water needs change too. A smaller unit may have served you well before, but due to increased demands, growing family, home & bath remodeling, your needs may surpass the units capacity. In this case, you may need to change your habits or purchase a larger capacity unit.

We proudly sell high-quality American Water Heaters made right here in Tennessee. 

How to Choose the Right American Water Heater to meet your needs

Ensure that you select the right water heater for your needs by answering a few simple questions. The answers to the questions below will help you make the right purchasing decision:

• What is the gallon capacity of the old water heater?
• What wattage (KW) and voltage is the old electric water heater?
• What type of fuel (natural gas or propane gas) is the old gas water heater?
• What exhaust vent diameter is used on the old gas water heater?
• What are the dimensions of the old water heater (Diameter ____ Height ____ )?
• Did your old water heater provide enough hot water?

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

If someone is running out of hot water in the household it could be due to items such as oversized or jetted tubs, using multiple consecutive showers or several large loads of laundry. A larger capacity water heater should be considered.

• Gas units: Check to make sure exhaust vent will handle a larger water heater with more BTU input.
• If a family is planning to stay in their home for a long period of time, models made with a longer warranty should be considered. It's less expensive when installation and maintenance expenses are considered.
• Electric units: If the water heater has hard water that leaves deposits on fixtures and requires frequent replacement of heating elements, self-cleaning models should be considered.

Shop American Water Heaters on our website or stop by any of our 12 store locations in West Tennessee.