| Type | Typical life | Watch after |
|---|---|---|
| Tank — gas | 8–12 yrs | year 10 |
| Tank — electric | 10–15 yrs | year 12 |
| Tankless | 20+ yrs | year 18 |
Signs yours is near the end: rusty or discolored hot water, rumbling or popping from the tank, water pooling at the base, or simply age 10+. Any one of these and it's time to plan the replacement, not wait for the leak.
How to budget for it: a standard tank runs $1,200–2,000 installed; tankless costs more upfront but lasts roughly twice as long. Getting three quotes before the failure typically saves 20–30% versus the emergency call.
Not sure how old yours is? Check the serial number on the label — the first characters usually encode the manufacture date. If you can't tell and it looks original to a home built 10+ years ago, assume you're in the window.
Lifespans vary by brand. Pick yours for the specific numbers and what to watch:
A conventional tank lasts about 8–12 years for gas and 10–15 for electric. Tankless units often run 20 years or more. Hard water and skipped maintenance shorten all of those.
If it's past 10 years, yes. A planned replacement is cheaper, lets you compare quotes, and avoids water damage from a burst tank. Once you see rust, pooling, or hear rumbling, plan the swap.
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