How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

Extend Its Life with Proper Maintenance

For homeowners in Wisconsin and everywhere else, a water heater is essential for daily activities such as bathing, household cleaning, washing dishes, and laundry. But when a water heater is not working properly, it can severely disrupt your life.

With so much of our daily lifestyles riding on a properly functioning water heating system, it’s only natural to wonder how long you can count on your current water heating system to keep everyone in your family comfortable.

First, you should know that the life span of the most common water heater—units with a storage tank—can vary greatly, anywhere from 7 to 13 years.

How long your own storage tank water heater lasts depends on a variety of factors, including the temperature of the water you set for the tank, the volume of water used, the overall quality of the water heater model, and perhaps most importantly, the water quality. Unfortunately, many people in Wisconsin need to contend with “hard water,” which means your domestic water has a high amount of mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium. This can lead to problems with your water heater.

To head off any potential problems, it’s a wise idea to call on an experienced heating oil technician to flush out your oil-powered hot water storage tank once a year. This procedure will remove any sediment that has accumulated at the bottom of the tank. This sediment is caused by the build-up of minerals. Your technician can also check the condition of the anode rod, which generally lasts from 3–5 years.

What Is an Anode Rod?

Storage tank water heaters have many parts and components, including a long metal anode rod, which extends the life of your water heater by preventing corrosion from building up inside your tank.

Usually made of magnesium or aluminum, the anode rod does its job through a process called electrolysis. The metals in the anode rod attract ions that normally would cause rust in iron and steel. But instead, these ions latch on to the anode rod and as a result, cause it to degrade over time. Without the anode rod, your water heater could rust out in just a few years. That’s why it’s so important to replace the anode rod after it degrades.

Understanding Oil-Powered Water Heaters

A direct-fired water heater is the most common type of oil-powered water heater. It has a dedicated burner inside to heat water that is stored in a tank. As you use the water in the tank, the supply of hot water is constantly replenished.

Another possibility is an indirect-fired water heater, which uses the burner inside your boiler to heat your tap water. A typical design is a water tank with coiled pipes inside. These coiled pipes connect to your boiler. Hot water from the boiler passes through the coil, which heats up the water surrounding it. Importantly, the boiler water never mixes with the contents of your water heater. Because of this configuration, an indirect-fired unit is highly efficient and just one example of why heating oil is a leader in home energy efficiency.

Trouble Signs for Your Water Heater

Some telltale signs that your water heater may be wearing out include higher water heating bills, water stains and unusual noises. If it takes longer to heat water than it used to, or the water doesn’t get as hot, these are also signs that you may be ready for a new water heating unit. A big trouble sign is a slow leak from your tank or rust on the tank or in your tap water. (A water tank rusts from the inside out).

If you think your water heater is failing, please contact your Wisconsin heating oil company to learn about your options in high-efficiency oil-powered water heaters.