Tankless Hot Water Heater Lifespan

Tankless water heaters are different from tank style heaters in that do not store water but instead use a series of pipes surrounded by heating elements.

Tankless hot water heater lifespan.

A tankless water heater lasts about 20 years. Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. In both cases they last for around 20 years. They also have easily replaceable parts that extend their life by many more years.

A traditional water heater lasts about 12 years. Additional maintenance is possible. With proper care however they can keep providing you with hot water for longer even up to 30 years. Warranties can run up to 20 years which is the average lifespan of a tankless heater.

However although gas fired tankless water heaters tend to have higher flow rates than electric ones they can waste energy if they have a constantly burning pilot light. Tankless water heaters can avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. The operational life of a tankless water heater is usually 20 years if not more. The 24 7 moisture of a tank water heater means the system only lasts around 12 years due to corrosion and rust build up.

Therefore if anything goes wrong the homeowner will not have to pay for repairs or foot the bill for a replacement. Because of their lengthy lifespan tankless heaters have longer warranties. Tankless water heater maintenance requirements are not owner intense but they are very important. For a tank based traditional hot water system the lifespan is usually 10 years.

With regular maintenance and repairs a tankless system may last up to 30 years or up to 3 times longer than a traditional hot water heater. A tankless model s life expectancy on the other hand is almost twice that. On average tank style water heaters last between 8 and 12 years however tankless water heaters usually last over 20 years. Tankless water heaters typically last up to 20 years twice as long as a tank style unit.

Tankless water heaters are less exposed to water based corrosion than regular water heaters which are exposed to moisture 24 7. In contrast storage water heaters last 10 15 years. If you re already in your forever home or plan to stay where you are for a while investing in a tankless water heater will save you from needing a replacement for a very long time. A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years sometimes even longer.

Unlike traditional heaters though there is little difference in lifespan between tankless gas and tankless electric water heaters.