When to Replace Water Heater

When your water heater, a household appliance that heats and stores water for showers, sinks, and laundry. Also known as a hot water tank, it’s one of the most taken-for-granted systems in your home—until it stops working. Most water heaters last between 8 and 12 years. After that, even if it still heats water, it’s running on borrowed time. Rust, leaks, strange noises, or inconsistent hot water aren’t just annoyances—they’re warning signs your unit is failing.

Many people wait too long to replace their water heater, thinking a repair will fix everything. But if your tank is over 10 years old and you’re spending more than $300 on repairs, you’re likely throwing money away. Replacing an old, inefficient model with a new one can cut your energy bill by 20% or more. And if you’re dealing with frequent leaks, especially from the bottom of the tank, that’s not a fixable issue—it’s corrosion eating through the steel. No patch, no anode rod replacement, and no flush will stop that. The anode rod, a sacrificial metal rod inside the tank that protects against rust is a simple, cheap part that can extend your heater’s life by years—if you replace it early. But if the tank itself is rusted, the rod won’t help. You need a new tank.

Other red flags? If you’re running out of hot water faster than before, or if the water comes out cloudy or smells like rotten eggs, those point to internal damage or bacterial growth. A faulty thermostat or broken heating element can be fixed, but if the tank is old and those parts keep failing, you’re stuck in a cycle of repairs. That’s when it’s smarter to replace the whole unit. You’ll get better efficiency, quieter operation, and fewer surprises. And if you’re upgrading, you might even consider a tankless model—it saves space and gives you endless hot water, though the upfront cost is higher.

Don’t wait for a flood to make your decision. If your water heater is older than 8 years and you’ve had two or more repairs in the last year, it’s time to start thinking about replacement. Check the manufacturer’s label on the side—it usually has the installation date. If you don’t know when it was installed, and the tank looks worn or has visible rust, assume it’s nearing the end. The best time to replace a water heater is before it breaks. That way, you can shop around, compare models, and schedule the install on your schedule—not during a cold winter night with no hot water.

Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve been there: what went wrong, how long repairs lasted, and when they finally gave up and replaced it. You’ll see cost breakdowns, DIY checks you can do now, and the exact signs that mean it’s not worth fixing anymore.