
More than just maintaining your water heater according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it’s important to regularly check the performance of a hot water heater to make sure it’s performing optimally. Electric Water Heaters Signs Your Water Heater Might Be on Its Last Legs RELATED: Choosing a New Appliance: Gas vs. This rule of thumb applies to most hot water heater manufacturers, but you can confirm this on the company’s website if you have any doubts.
Finding age of water heater serial number#
A serial number that leads with “A10,” for example, was manufactured in January 2010. Typically, the letter stands for the month-“A” for January, “B” for February, and so on, through “L” for December-and the next two numbers indicate the year it was made. Your existing water heater’s serial number holds the clue to its age.Įven if you can’t track down the documentation for your current appliance, you can examine the serial number, which consists of a letter followed by a series of numbers, located on the upper portion of the water heater to determine when it was manufactured. RELATED: Best Water Heaters for Homeowners Once corrosion starts inside the tank, the water heater has entered into its final stage of life. When the rod has corroded to such an extent that it can no longer do its job, those particles settle at the bottom of the water tank, where they may eventually destroy the lining. Inside the tank, an anode rod protects the interior lining by attracting all corrosive particles to itself through a process called electrolysis.

A traditional tank-type water heater lasts an average of 8 to 12 years.


While a water heater may be able to outlast average estimates, there are expectations for how long a water heater will last based on type. In addition to its age and whether it receives regular maintenance, the quality of the water and the levels of regular usage also affect the water heater lifespan. There are many factors that affect a water hexater’s life expectancy.
Finding age of water heater update#
If you’re wondering, “How long do water heaters last?” keep reading to find out the signs of aging and what to consider when planning to update an old water heater.
