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When You Water Heater Is Malfunctioning, Do You Repair It or Replace It

My water heater isn’t working… Do I repair it or replace it? We all know that water heaters are a crucial part of modern-day living. They provide hot water for showers, cooking, and cleaning. However, like all appliances, they can wear out and break down over time, leaving you with a difficult decision.. Should you repair a water heater or replace it altogether when it isn’t heating? 

While it can be tempting to try and save money by repairing your water heater, it’s not always the most cost-effective option. We’re going to explore the factors you should consider when deciding whether to repair or replace a water heater that isn’t working. 

Age of the Water Heater 

One of the most important factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your water heater is age. Generally, water heaters have a lifespan of 6-10 years, depending on their quality, maintenance, and water quality and if it is gas or electric. If your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan and is not working, it’s usually better to replace it altogether. Repairing an old water heater may provide a temporary fix, but it’s likely to break down again. A constantly malfunctioning water heater will only lead to more expenses and inconvenience in the future.  Putting money into a water heater to repair it at the end of its lifespan can also lead to a wasted investment as the water heater tank may leak soon after you repair it, since it is at the end of its lifespan.   

If your water heater is under the warranty period and should have plenty of years left in it then it is often the best course of action to replace parts on the water heater rather than need to replace the entire water heater.  Elements, thermostats, and parts on gas water heaters are often replaceable and don’t require replacement of the entire water heater.   

Maintenance History 

Another factor to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace a water heater that isn’t heating is the maintenance history. Water heaters are meant to be flushed and maintained annually.  If your water heater hasn’t been maintained properly you can expect the lifespan of that water heater to be less than the average and if you’re past the warranty period of your water heater it is likely a better investment of your money to get a new water heater rather than repair one that hasn’t been maintained.   

If your water heater is less than your warranty period then it is likely a better option to go ahead and make repairs to the water heater and immediately start an annual maintenance program to extend the lifespan of your water heater and improve it’s efficiency.  

Energy Efficiency 

Water heaters are one of the most energy-intensive appliances in your home. They account for up to 25% of your energy bill. If your water heater is old or inefficient, repairing it may not be the best option, if you’re open to a more energy efficient model such as the hybrid if you have an electric water heater or a tankless if you have a gas model.  In recent years water heater manufacturers have pushed to dramatically improve the efficiency of water heaters making them more affordable to operate.  For example, the hybrid can save up to $4700.00 in energy in the first ten years of operation.  Replacing your water heater with a newer, more energy-efficient model can save you money on your energy bills. It will also save you money overtime rather than continuing to pay for repairs if your water heater is older.  

Are you getting enough hot water? 

If your family doesn’t have enough hot water, fixing a water heater that is broken won’t fix the lack of gallon capacity that you have.  If your family runs out of hot water on a regular basis it is either that the gallon capacity for your water heater is undersized for your family’s usage or the tank has not been maintained and it has sediment settled at the bottom of the water heater reducing the gallon capacity.   

Bottom line is you have options on whether to replace or repair your water heater.  You’ll want to take these factors into consideration when deciding if it’s time to replace your water heater or invest into repairs for your existing water heater.  When in doubt you can trust the team at Robins Plumbing to help you choose if it’s time to repair or replace your water heater.  No hot water?  Call a Robin!  

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing to provide you with prompt and expert care, contact our team today! In addition to our toilet services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!