Replacement time will come at some point, let's look at some of the options available these days. Water heaters haven't changed much over the years until recently but will the new options something that will work for you?
Most likely you have a traditional tank water heater in your home. This technology hasn't changed much since its inception. Sure, they have had some upgrades given to them over the years but the basic operation hasn't changed much. This type of water heater has been dependable, cost-effective, and simple to use. Maintenance is pretty minimal and if sized correctly will in general be enough of a reserve to meet your hot water demands.
A newer generation of water heater has come on the scene in the last 20 years or so. The on-demand water heater is becoming more popular. This type has some benefits but also has some drawbacks associated with it. Let's dive in and take a little closer look to see which is a better replacement when the time comes.
Should I stick with a traditional tank unit? This is the most cost-effective replacement option. This price will increase if you jump up to a high-efficiency unit as new PVC/ABS exhaust pipe needs to be routed to the exterior. Often a very close match can be obtained in terms of height/size and be swapped out with very little effort. Basically you are making two water connections, a flue connection, and a gas connection. You will give up some efficiency but the cost to upgrade to tankless may make your decision for you. If you are going to go with a traditional water heater one upgrade that is a must-have is a powered anode rod. This is a roughly $150 accessory but it can prolong the life of your water heater substantially. The anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod that takes one for the team in terms of the electrolysis that occurs to the tank which eventually causes failure. Water heaters have warranties but these warranties require the replacement of the anode rod on a maintenance schedule. No replacement... no warranty. Some powered anode rod manufacturers state their rods can last up to 20 years.
Considering the on-demand tankless unit? These are great units but do have some drawbacks to consider. Expense: they can save money through efficiency but how much do you save? Well if you save $100 a year in efficiency but it cost you 3x-4x in cost to install it you may be looking at a 20-30 year payback to offset this initial investment. The maintenance cost will also impact efficiency savings. A tankless unit needs annual maintenance in terms of flushing the system. The exchanger essentially needs to be cleaned once a year. If you don't know how to do it or can't do it, plan on paying a plumber your annual gas savings (maybe more) to get this done. If you do not do this maintenance you may cut its longevity in half. If you do choose a tankless unit make certain that a flushing isolation kit is installed so it can be maintained. Gas meter upgrades may be required to supply enough gas to these units as they are generally around 200k btu draw which can be twice the amount of a furnace. With these units, you will have endless hot water... at one, maybe two fixtures. Using multiple fixtures can result in the unit metering itself which can slow flow rates, this does not happen with a traditional tank water heater. One nice benefit of these units is their size. They hang off a wall and can give you extra space in your mechanical area which can be a big bonus if you have tight quarters.
There are a lot of variables that go into deciding on what path to take. Hopefully, this information can help you make a decision when you have to cross this bridge as a homeowner.
If you have any topics or ideas you would like to see in a future edition of Homeowner Tidbits feel free to drop me an email at lfreng@inspectionwerx.com and as always "Get the best of US before your new home gets the best of YOU!
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