A water heater makes the bathing task or dishwashing easier in winter as it heats up the water quickly and lets you complete the household chores comfortably. Therefore, water heaters are pretty much trending and the most desirable product among customers.
However, sometimes people get confused about the life expectancy of different water heaters. Therefore, in this article, we have cleared all the questions about how long the common water heaters like 50, 40, 30, and 6, etc. gallons of water heater will last.
How long does a 50, 40, 30, 6, etc gallon water heater last?
The life expectancy of any water heater depends on the quality of the unit as well as the condition of the water, maintenance, and the correct installation procedure. If the above facts turn out positive then whatever the gallon measurement your water heater has, it will last at least 9 to 13 years.
Most of the water heaters usually last around 12 to 13 years. However, the 3-gallon water heaters might last less than that but there are other factors on which the life expectancy of any sort of water heater actually depends.
The quality of the unit as well as the quality of the water plays the most important role as these two factors will trigger the decaying of the mechanism inside the heater.
Sometimes the heater can last for 3 years or sometimes it can last for 13 years. It all comes down to the factors of how good the quality of the product is as well as how you maintain your water heater.
In fact, the life expectancy of any water heater will largely depend on the quality of the maintenance.
On average the water heater’s life expectancy stands to be up to 12 years. The branded water heaters can even last more than 12 years despite being roughly used.
| Water Heater Capacity | Expected Lifespan |
|---|---|
| 6 gallon | 6 to 10 years |
| 10 gallon | 6 to 11 years |
| 30 gallon | 8 to 10 years |
| 40 gallon | 8 to 11 years |
| 50 gallon | 8 to 13 years |
| 55 gallon | 7 to 10 years |
| 75 gallon | 7 to 12 years |
| 60 gallon | 8 to 13 years |
| 80 gallon | 10 to 12 years |
| 100 gallon | 11 to 13 years |
What is the average lifespan of a home water heater?
There can be multiple types of home water heater available in the market. Lets get to know more about their life expectancy.
Tankless water heater:
Well, tankless water heaters actually last longer than any type of water heater.
The average lifespan of tankless water heaters is more than 21 years and in addition, you can extend this lifespan to another 21 years by replacing the old parts.
Electric water heater:
In the case of electric water heaters, the average life expectancy is 11 to 16 years. However, in order to make your water heater last 16 years, you will need to inspect and maintain your heater regularly.
Gas water heater lasts:
Just like the electric water heaters, the gas water heaters will last around 11 to 13 years or sometimes can be more than that. The gas water heaters need more maintenance work as it runs on gas.
Propane water heater:
Propane water heater’s life expectancy is more than 14 years and if the heater is from a branded manufacturer and has been on a regular inspection then it can last more than 14 years.
Oil-water heater:
Oil-water heaters have a life expectancy of a minimum of 7 years and a maximum of 13 years. Similar to the gas water heaters, the oil-water heater needs regular maintenance.
Solar water heater:
Similar to tankless water heaters, solar water heaters can last more than 21 years. If you want to prolong the years then you will need to maintain your heater regularly.
How long does a water heater last with hard water & soft water?
Well, with soft water a water heater will last for more than 10 years. However, using hard water on your water heater can cut down the life expectancy up to 50% compared to the water heater which uses soft water.
Because hard water can build up the rust as well as scale which can damage inner elements of your water heater.
Can a hot water heater last 20 years?
Yes, a typical and functional hot water heater can last up to 20 years only and only if they are maintained properly.
A Rheem water heater can last up to 14 years if you have inspected and replaced the parts regularly. However, you can prolong a Rheem water heater’s life expectancy for more than 20 years if you use soft water and keep it in regular maintenance.
How often should you replace your hot water heater?
Well, the average lifespan of a hot water heater is about 7 to 11 years. However, it is recommended that you should replace your heater once it turns 10 years old because that’s when the inner parts will start to decay.
How long does hot water last in a 6, 30, 40, 50, etc. gallon water heater?
Usually, it depends on how much water you use to complete everyday chores. But hot water in a 6, 30, 40, 50, etc. gallon water heater will last from 5 minutes to 90 minutes. Sometimes it can last up to 150 minutes if you use the water only for showering.
How long does it take for a water heater to heat up (recover) and to run out of hot water?
| Water Heater Capacity | Recover Time | Time to Run Out of Hot Water |
|---|---|---|
| 6 gallon | 5 to 10 minutes | 5 to 20 minutes |
| 10 gallon | 10 to 12 minutes | 8 to 20 minutes |
| 30 gallon | 15 to 20 minutes | 10 to 30 minutes |
| 40 gallon | 40 to 60 minutes | 30 to 60 minutes |
| 50 gallon | 50 to 70 minutes | 60 to 90 minutes |
| 55 gallon | 100 to 120 minutes | 90 to 150 minutes |
| 75 gallon | 125 to 135 minutes | 140 to 160 minutes |
| 60 gallon | 145 to 160 minutes | 160 to 250 minutes |
| 80 gallon | 200 minutes | 250 to 280 minutes |
| 100 gallon | 250 to 350 minutes | 280 to 400 minutes |
Can you take a shower with a 6-gallon water heater?
Yes, you can take a shower with a 6-gallon water heater comfortably and the warm water will not be finished quickly.
Usually, a 6-gallon water heater is enough if you want to use it only for showering. But if you want to use it for completing other household chores then the 6-gallon water heater might not be enough as the warm water will be finished very quickly.
How long do water heater elements last?
Usually, water heater elements need to be replaced every 5 to 6 years. Because the inside elements or surface might decay or corrode due to the passing of a high level of water.
Therefore, if your water heater is 4 or 5 years old then you will need to take it to the service center and see if there is any damaged part that needs to be replaced.
How often do you replace anode rods in a water heater?
Well, it depends on the quality of the water and also the rate of trans passing of water inside the tank.
On average, the anode on a water tank will last between 4 to 6 years. But the metal present on the rod can also last less than that if the quality of the water is hard and you have no water softener.
How long will the water heater last without an anode rod?
Without an anode rode the water heater will basically last up to 1 to 2 years. Because without an anode rod the surface of the heater will corrode and form rust and eventually the heater will burst out.
Therefore, it is really important to change the anode rod on a water heater as early as possible.
How long will the water heater last after it starts leaking?
The water heater will not last long after the heater starts leaking. The average lifespan of a leaking water heater is between 8 to 14 years.
It will be best if you repair the leaking as early as possible because sometimes this small leaking can cause huge accidents. The basic solution for leaking can be rubber seals as these seals can cover and block a leakage surface completely.
How long can a water heater last without water?
Well, it can create an accident if you don’t turn off your water heater immediately if the tank starts heating without a heater.
The water heater can highest run for 20 hours without water, however, it is recommended by the experts that you should turn off your heater immediately once you notice there is water passing from the tank.
Should I replace my water heater before it fails?
Yes, you should replace your water heater before it fails because if you delay replacing it then it can create a catastrophe.
The rust can fail your water heater which will later burst up. In addition, it will be the best idea to invest in a newly manufactured water heater as it will save you a lot of bucks from the bills.
Final Thoughts:
50, 40, 30, or 6-gallon water heaters can last about 9 to 15 years on average. However, tankless water heaters can even last more than 25 years. But it all depends on how you use it and how properly you take care of it. Otherwise, your water heater won’t even last for 3 years let alone 15 years.