Sjogrens World Forums

Hi -

I have a question about a water heater.  On the average, how long does a water heater last?  Ours is 18 yrs. old and just now when I went to the basement there is water near the water heater.  I have noticed it making some "clanking" noise when it shuts off the last couple of weeks.

I'm not sure if the water in the basement is from the water heater or from all the rain we've been having the last few days.  ?????

Just wondering . . . . our house is getting to the age now where things are going to have to be replaced.  :(

Thanks for any insight.

Bucky

Don't know how long they last but the clunking sound is probably the hard water deposits in it. That will build up over time.

usually 8-12 years in my rental experience.

I'm with Joe, the last one lasted almost 11 years when the complex replaced it (so the repair guy said).  Not to bad as water heaters go.  

A sibling bought a new home (several years ago), and his water heater died within a couple of years of purchase and about destroyed the floor & carpet (a ranch single level with no basement).


Patze

Thanks for the info.

I'm not convinced it IS the hot water heater since I just went down to the basement and the area around the heater is dry.  However, I think we should seriously think about replacing our 18 yr. old water heater soon before it decides to quit on us.  We have well water which probably wears on the tank more too.

Like I said, our house is 18 yrs. old and is getting to the "replacement" age for things.  We've already replaced the washer, dryer and refrigerator last year with more Energy Efficient ones.  In the next few years we'll have to replace our roof.  The joys of being a homeowner. . . .  :o

Bucky

Hey Bucky, if you're replacing your large systems (hot water system/air conditioning system, etc.) for more energy efficient ones, can you get the home owners tax break for that?  Sorry if I'm off - just an apartment dweller these days.


Patze

Patze - hmmmmmm, I don't know about getting a tax break.  Sounds good to me!!   ;D  We'll have to check into that.  Thanks for the heads up.

Bucky

Yes...I believe some of these replacements may qualify for a tax break Bucky...so if you do replace them....keep the receipt handy and remember that when you file income taxes next year!

Bucky,

Run to Lowes, don't walk, run! You're living on borrowed time!  An 18 year old water heater might be of interest to the Smithsonian :D

Bucky if you have well water, then you also have a holding tank.  Is it the holding tank leaking?  If you don't have a water treatment system on your water, you are living on borrowed time with your tanks.  Hot water and holding. 

Does your hubby drain the water from your hot water tank every couple years?  If not, DON'T DO IT NOW.  It's quite possible the sediment is sealing any leaks.  My hubby says the same thing Epson just told you, "Run, don't walk to Lowe's or Home Depot" and get a new one. 

Good luck.  I hope the next tune you sing isn't "Row, row, row your boat".  :o

Hugs, Pooh

I found a graph that gives expected life expectancy of household appliances, and this is what it says about water heaters...Water heater, gas 11-13 years, Water heater, electric 13-14, Water heater, tank-less (on demand) 20+

http://www.thehome-inspection.com/appliancelifeexpectancy.htm

Have you headed for the home improvement store yet?

I might be right behind you...my fridge is going on 34 years! ( I replaced the freezer fan once), and I have a microwave that's 23 years old, but I have 2 backups in storage for that. I did get a new hot water heater a few years ago (ours are provided by the power company) and the installer said it looked like the one that was here was over 25 years old, because that model had been phased out that long ago! I had no problem with it, but when the company did an energy efficiency scoring on the house, they pointed out that it was an antique and costing more to run than the "energy star" models now available

Good morning from the land of Lincoln (which is sizzling hot at the moment, 95 degrees yesterday, same for today) . . . ugh.

After reading the latest posts I went to the basement to check out the water situation.  NO WATER on the floor . . . YAY!!   ;D

As much as I hate to admit this, I have no idea what is what in the basement (I know where the furnace is and the water softener  ;D).  There are two other appliances down there - one being the hot water tank and ????.  I guess what I "thought" was the hot water tank really isn't the hot water tank.   ::)  Come on, give me a break, I'm not suppose to know about these things . . . I take care of the things UPSTAIRS, not in the basement!!  LOL

Pooh, there is a blue tank w/rubber bottom (at least it looks rubber to me) under the stairwell (kinda reminds me of a rocket . . hmmm, is AD parking some of her ships in my basement??  :D)  I'm "guessing" this might be the holding tank you refer too?  I had a good laugh when you asked if my hubby drains the tank . . . . are you kidding . . . . NOT!!  If it weren't for me, the water softener would run dry - he never checks it!!

Like most things, I will have to keep at my hubby to get a new hot water heater now before we are in real trouble.  (Now don't get me wrong . . . my hubby is a good guy - he just doesn't look after things like some guys do.)

I'm guessing, when we get the new water heater should we also get a new holding tank at the same time?  (NO, I'm not blonde . . . like I said, the basement stuff isn't my area!!)

I'm sure our furnace and air conditioning unit need upgrades too.  (Just keeping my fingers crossed everything doesn't decide to conk out on us all at the same time!!)

Thanks for the link Linda.  WOW . . . a 34 yr. old refrigerator and a  23 yr. old microwave!!   :o  That's why we replaced our fridge, so it would be more cost effective.  (I got one of the ones with the fridge on top, freezer on bottom . . . love it!!  :D).  I bet your microwave is one of those BIG ones that take up a lot of counter space (unless you have yours on a cart).

I hate to replace things when the current ones are working (why fix it, if it ain't broke) . . . however, I do know things made today are more energy efficient than the older models.  The thing I dislike about the new stuff, it's all plastic - whereas the older stuff is "real" shelving, drawers, knobs, etc.   That's why we live in a disposable society today - when something breaks it's cheaper to go buy a new one than to fix the old one.  :(

Ok . . . now I have to start doing some "homework".  I need to figure out what size tank we need, do some on-line comparison shopping, blah, blah, blah.

Thanks again everyone for your helpful advice.   ;D

Bucky

that blue thing is the expansion tank,, if you have to replace your hot water heater,, and you really donot have alarge demand for hot water,, look into on demand hot water,, most energy is wasted just keeping the water hot for your use,, hot water on demand does just that, it heats the water when you need it, they sell different sizes,, and i;m sure you can find one to fit your needs, the initial cost may be a bit high,, but just think about the energy wasted wehn your sleeping or not at home and that hot water tank is still using gas or spinning the meter jsut keeping water hot

Navydad,

Is an expansion tank different from a holding tank?

Thanks, I will add that to my "homework" when I'm checking information.

Bucky

Expansion tanks are really simple devices. They contain compressed air and a special rubber bladder. When your hot water heater turns on, the water within your piping system begins to expand. This expanding water enters the expansion tank. Eventually, hot water is drawn from the system thru a faucet and the expansion tank releases the extra water into the piping system.

Hi Bucky,
Yes, Navyday is right.  That blue tank of yours is probably the expansion tank.  With our well system, we have a "holding tank"  that holds the water when it is pumped into the house (it holds about 50 gallons).  It increases our water pressure when the tap is turned on. 

We also had a GeoThermal heating/ac system installed about 15 yrs. ago that heats our water by an exchange system.  We always have really hot water, but not only by our water heater.  Our heating/ac system will do it also. 

We use to have radiant heat in the ceiling.  No dust, but unless you were moving around you always felt like you had a fever.  Also extremely expensive.  Our GeoThermal dropped out energy cost by more than half.  Where we use to pay about $400 a month, without A/C, our monthly bill with the a/c has never gone over $200.  Most of the time it's below $150 and I have a total electric home, as I'm sure you do.  Country living is great but sometimes you have think like a pioneer. ;D

Good luck with your renovation.  We finished ours about 4 yrs. ago for the 3rd time. :D  Our home is 37 yrs. old.

We are now in the process of having a handicap shower stall put in.  I'm really excited with this because "Fred" and I have had several ungraceful exits from the tub. ::)

Pooh