2006-08-20 12:40:27 · 11 answers · asked by Dom 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Depending on the hardness of the water, gas or electric, they will last about 17 years. However the efficiency will drop off considerably after 7 years.
2006-08-20 12:47:22 · answer #1 · answered by uncle bob 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends a lot on the amount of minerals in the water.
It can vary from ten years to 20.
If you see lime around faucets or it makes noticable spots on your car you have a bit of lime, and that will shorten the life of the heater because it builds up in the bottom and forces the heater to use progressively more heat.
You can remove some of that lime by using a vinegar rinse every two years.
Turn the heater temp knob to pilot, drain the water, fill vinegar through the drain using a hose and funnel. about five gallons is enough. Close drain valve. Turn heater on and let it activate the vinegar. That will dissolve the lime. turn heater back to pilot and drain vinegar. It will most likely be black. Fill water heater and run drain for about five minutes to remove all silt and vinegar.
There are chemicals that work faster without turning the heater back on but they are caustic and vinegar is safer.
2006-08-20 13:04:54 · answer #2 · answered by Harley Charley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ten years. Also depends on whether you are using the heater in hard water or soft water and what type of casing you have. Stainless steel water heater with Copper vessel inside and used in soft water condition lasts for more than 20 years.
2006-08-20 13:33:33 · answer #3 · answered by tnkumar1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I looked at my water heater in my old apartment that got thrown out and i should say it was at least 10 years old. That was just an estimate, plus that water heater needed to change for a while.
2006-08-20 13:19:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a high efficiency 50 gallon that is 12 years old. I was told by the gas company been 10 and 15 years. Others have told me that it all depends on the mineral content and the hardness of the water. Hope that helps.
2006-08-21 05:56:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how much lime is in your water. This determines weather you have soft or hard water. I would say 7 to 10 yrs is the average.you should flush your water heater out so that lime deposits don't build up
2006-08-20 13:15:15 · answer #6 · answered by ssshoebox67 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
15 years.
2006-08-20 14:30:47 · answer #7 · answered by Goldenrain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if all things are equal, it depends on how many people live in your house. If u have two teens, then it will last about 3 weeks cause they take 3 hour showers. two adults will get 15 years out of one. don't do anything until it starts to leak.
2006-08-20 13:39:48 · answer #8 · answered by zocko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after about 10 15 years the bottom start to rust out
2006-08-20 12:47:01 · answer #9 · answered by thecat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one in my house which is over 25 years old. It depends on how well it was made.
2006-08-20 12:46:47 · answer #10 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋