If your water heater is 10 years old or older, this post is worth reading. This past week our team completed five water heater replacements across Metro Atlanta, and the ages on these units are a good reminder of what’s likely sitting in a lot of homes right now.
Here’s a rundown of what we pulled out:
- A 50-gallon gas water heater from 2012, about 14 years old.
- A 50-gallon Rudd gas unit from 2003 that had served that home for over two decades.
- Two electric water heaters, both from the 2011 to 2012 range, including one tucked into a tight crawl space.
- A Navien tankless unit that was roughly 15 years old, swapped out for a brand new Navien since the customer already had a tankless system in place.
Every single one of these units was past the typical 8 to 12 year lifespan that most water heaters are designed for. A few were well past it.
How to tell what type of water heater you have
For gas units, look for a metal flue pipe running up through the top of the tank with no electrical wires attached. Electric models will have wiring running directly to the unit.
Tankless systems like the Navien are compact, wall-mounted units that heat water on demand rather than storing it in a tank.
Why we recommend Bradford White Water Heaters
On the tank replacements this week, we installed Bradford White units. We recommend Bradford White over other brands because of their build quality and long-term reliability.
Unlike some brands sold through big box stores, Bradford White water heaters are sold exclusively through licensed plumbing professionals.
That alone says something about the product.
Signs your water heater may need to be replaced
The water heater units we replaced this week did not all fail dramatically. Most showed a gradual decline before reaching the point of no return.
Here are the signs to watch for in your own home:
- Your unit is 10 or more years old.
- You hear rumbling or popping from the tank during heating.
- Hot water runs out faster than it used to.
- You notice rust-colored water or a metallic smell from the hot tap.
- There is moisture, rust staining, or corrosion near the base or connections.
- Your energy bills have increased without a clear explanation.
If your water heater falls into any of these categories, a proactive replacement is almost always cheaper and easier than waiting for an emergency.
Proudly Serving Metro Atlanta homeowners
Stars and Pipes Plumbing Atlanta serves homeowners throughout Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, and Fulton County, including Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Tucker, Snellville, Norcross, and surrounding communities.
If you are unsure how old your water heater is or want an honest assessment of where it stands, give us a call at (770) 398-7827 for 24/7 service.