Earlier this month, we discussed how long you can expect the average water heater to last. Now let’s consider when it’s the right time to stop spending money on repairs and replace your old water heater instead.
The first step to check before buying a new water heater is to check whether your current one is still under warranty. If so, does it also cover labor costs as well as parts? Very often, depending on the type of repair, you could find the cost of labor is expensive. An example of this is a part called the sacrificial anode – this is a part that commonly needs replacing, but it is not an easy job to do. So, if the water heater is already pretty old, and you need to have this job done, you may be better off using the money towards a new water heater.
Another thing you should think about is the amount of money you spend every year on maintaining and repairing your current water heater. If the amount you pay is more than ten percent of the amount it would cost to purchase and install a new one, then it may be time to start looking for a new one.
When the time comes to buy a new water heater, how can you guarantee it will last a long time? You should also be aware that you get what you pay for – meaning that the cheaper the water heater, the less likely it is to last. Check the warranty also, as a long warranty usually indicates that the water heater is a good quality one.