If your Oceanside, CA, home’s water heater is reaching the upper limits of its expected lifespan, you may be wondering if it’s prudent to preemptively replace it. Generally, you can expect the average storage tank water heater to last between 10 and 15 years. And you can expect a tankless model to last for about 20 years. However, making the judgment call to spend a significant sum of money replacing a working appliance isn’t easy. Here are a few reasons why you might want to do it anyway.
You May Avoid Costly Damage
According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, 69% of all water heater failures come as a result of a slow leak or sudden burst. Also, the insurance claims for the damages caused by such failures cost an average of $4,444. When you consider that the average residential water heater holds between 40 and 50 gallons of water, the damage your home might suffer could be severe. Replacing your aging water heater before it suffers a catastrophic failure is a good way to avert that situation. Otherwise, you may find yourself facing significant damage to your home, along with the need for a new water heater at some point soon.
You’ll Have Time To Shop Around
Another reason why you might want to replace your aging water heater before it fails is so you’ll have time to shop around for a new one. Today, there are multiple major water heater manufacturers to choose from. Plus, there are options, like heat pump water heaters, that promise extra energy efficiency and lower operating costs. However, it takes time to go through all your options and choose a new water heater that fits your needs and budget. It isn’t a decision you want to make in a hurry. So, if you choose to replace your aging water heater while it’s still working, you can take your time and make a more informed choice.
You Can Avoid a Major Inconvenience
If you stop to think about how many of your daily household tasks require hot water, it becomes clear that you wouldn’t want to live without a water heater. However, if the water heater you currently have should fail, you could find yourself waiting days for a new one. You could wait even longer if the failure causes damage that needs repair before a new water heater can be safely installed. By replacing your water heater before it fails, you will get to choose an installation date and time that works for you. And you will limit your time without hot water to a few hours rather than days.
You Will Increase Your Home’s Comfort and Value
If you’ve ever had the experience of taking a hot shower, only to run out of hot water prematurely, you know how distressing it can be. If this is something that happens regularly in your home, a new water heater could be the solution. You can use the replacement of your existing water heater as an opportunity to install a water heater with additional hot water storage capacity. That would help ensure that you always have plenty of hot water when you need it. Or, you could install a tankless water heater, which can provide hot water on demand for as long as you need it.
If you do install a tankless water heater, it could even increase your home’s value. According to Zillow, homes with tankless water heaters sell for an average of 4% more than those that have storage tank models. And even if you install a new storage tank water heater, prospective buyers will feel better knowing that they’re buying a house with updated hot water infrastructure.
If the water heater in your Oceanside home needs replacement, Thompson Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning is the place to turn. We’ve served the local community since 1980, offering quality comprehensive plumbing services, including water heater repairs and replacements. Plus, we also offer HVAC installation, maintenance and repair services, along with indoor air quality solutions and ductwork solutions. In other words, we’re your go-to home services partner here in Oceanside. So, if you’re ready for a new water heater for your home, call our experts at Thompson Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning today.
