A.O. Smith is considered one of the industry leaders in water heaters and storage tanks, and have been providing hot water solutions for over 70 years. The company values innovation and efficiency, and with over 140 years of overall expertise in the space, they continuously provide high quality, reliable water heaters.
A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years, sometimes even longer. Also called “on-demand” water heaters, these appliances do not work continuously to maintain a supply of hot water—and, as a result, they last longer than their tank-style counterparts.
Our best overall picks are the Rheem Performance 40 Gal. Natural Gas Tall Water Heater and the Rheem Performance Plus 50 Gal. Electric Water Heater, both of which offer large capacity, durability, and longevity.
While the typical water heater has a lifespan of about 10 years, careful consideration of the factors that pertain to its lifespan can provide the InterNACHI home inspector and the homeowner with information about the potential costs that would be incurred by replacing the water heater.
Flush the water heater tank once a year
On an electric water heater, turn the electric off to the heater. Shut the cold water off to the water heater. Open a hot water faucet. Connect a hose to the drain valve on the heater and run to a drain.
A Rheem water heater is manufactured by the brand Rheem, and it is one of the best on the market. You will find the standard tank water heaters from the brand and the tankless types if that is your preference. The brand also manufactures air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces.
“Typically, the higher the cost, the better the unit will run.” You will, however, spend more up front for a gas hot water heater, such as the AO Smith 50-Gallon Proline Gas Water Heater, than you'll spend for a similar-size electric hot water heater, such as the AO Smith 50-Gallon Proline Electric Water Heater (both ...
Rheem hot water systems have a typical life span of between 5 and 15 years depending on water conditions and how well the system has been serviced. You can add years to the life to a Rheem hot water system if you have it serviced every 5 years.
Sediment buildup shortens the life of your water heater and adds to your energy bill by reducing its efficiency. Draining two or three gallons of water is usually enough to flush out sediments, but always let the water flow until you no longer see particles in the bucket.
Water Heater Lifespan
If your tank water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years. A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years.
Heat pump. Heat pump water heaters are highly efficient and use 30% of the energy of a conventional electric hot water system. These systems use a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the air to heat the water.
Lower quality compared to other higher priced systems.
Because Rheem hot water systems are so affordable, they aren't as high quality as Rinnai. Whether the initial savings is worth it, in the long run, will depend on your budget and what you're expecting from your hot water system.
Rheem's an excellent mid-range brand that offers several top quality air conditioners at a competitive price. Their Classic Plus and Prestige Series offerings provide Canadian homeowners with some of the best energy-savings available, while their single-stage Classic Series options are affordable and well-made.
Rheem ties for No. 5 in our rating of the Best HVAC Companies of 2023. Although it started in 1925 making water heating systems, Rheem Manufacturing Company expanded into air conditioning and HVAC systems in the 1950s. Today, Rheem is owned by The Paloma Group, which also makes Ruud HVAC systems.
The two main issues are a leaking TPR, or there is poor water flow through the pipe when you test the valve. Buildup of rust, mineral deposits, and corrosion can cause a TPR valve to freeze and fail to function properly.
If you have a tight budget, you might be reluctant to replace your water heater before it fails completely. However, the simple fact is that all water heaters stop working eventually. While you want to get the longest service life for your money, waiting until the appliance breaks down may not be worth the hassle.
An ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater uses different technology and can save a household of four more approximately $470 per year on its electric bills, compared to a standard electric water heater, and more than $4,500 over its lifetime. Larger families—that typically use more hot water—will save even more!