Water heating systems are easy to ignore until they develop symptoms. An ailing unit should receive immediate attention. A broken unit can cause indoor flooding and damage your home. Leaks are a common symptom, but there are others.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety says that broken water heaters are one of the primary causes of residential water damage.
The lifespan of a Florida water heating unit can vary significantly from one unit to the next. Upscale models may last longer than cheap ones, but not always. The type of water in your area also plays a role.
Hard water that’s high in minerals can cause an excessive buildup of mineral content that can accumulate on the heating elements. That, in turn, makes the unit overwork, reduces its lifespan, and increases your energy costs.
The average lifespan of a Florida water heater is about 8-25 years.
Types of Water Heating Systems
Conventional storage tanks
These tank-type units can be found in most American homes. They consist of a large metal storage tank filled with hot water. They provide hot water when someone turns on the faucet. As the hot water is used, fresh cold water fills the bottom of the tank to be heated and to replace what was used.
Conventional heaters can last from 8-12 years depending on frequency of use, water quality, and type of unit. An older unit that still works well may continue to do so indefinitely.
Nevertheless, it gradually loses efficiency, and its performance begins to decline. Parts can wear out, and sediment may collect inside the unit. It might still provide plenty of hot water, but it might take some time for the unit to replenish the hot water supply.
Tankless water heating
These newer units require no bulky metal tanks and typically last longer than storage units. Rather than keep a large tank full of hot water around the clock, tankless systems deliver only what you need.
When you want to shower, you turn on the tap, and cold water passes through a pipe where it’s instantly heated, delivered through the faucet, and released. Tankless systems are extremely efficient. Nothing is wasted. Tankless units can last for 20 years or more simply because there are fewer mechanical parts.
Heat pump water heating
Besides being one of the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, heat pumps can give you hot water as well. Rather than producing heat directly, heat pumps move heat from one place to another.
Heat pump water heating is more efficient than tanks. Their life expectancy is from 13-15 years.
What Makes Water Heating Systems Last Longer?
Setting the temperature as low as possible will extend the lifespan of a Florida water heater. Professional plumbers recommend a setting of 120 degrees. The lower the temperature setting, the more efficient the unit will be.
Adding a water softener or a water filtration system can counteract the effects of hard water.
How to Identify a Problem?
- There are leaks, drips or puddles forming at the base of the unit.
- Your tap water is cloudy or has a rusty color. The steel lining in the tank is corroding, and the corrosion is mixing with the household water supply.
- The unit makes a racket while heating cold water. You might hear hissing noises or what sounds like corn popping.
- Your water is tepid, lukewarm or cold.
- There’s not enough hot water. The water gets hot, but it doesn’t stay that way. It only lasts for a few minutes.
- There’s not enough hot water to go around. Only some family members get to take showers.
- Your water smells foul or has a disagreeable metallic taste.
- There are unexplained spikes in your water or electric bills.
- There is rust on the outside of the unit.
These symptoms are all signs that you need a water heating replacement, especially if you have leaks or puddles.
Metal tanks expand and contract while they heat water. This constant pressure can, over time, cause small fissures and hairline fractures inside the metal tank.
Eventually, these fissures become leaks. You might also find leaks around the cold water inlet or the hot water outlet valves on top.
Prevent Water Heating Mishaps and Maximize Equipment Lifespan
Although tankless water heaters last the longest in Florida, that type of unit will not be right for every household. If you already have a heat pump for heating and cooling, consider adding a water heater to the system. Heat pumps are high-efficiency units, and the water heating they provide lasts about 13-15 years.