What is the lifespan of a typical 100-gallon commercial water heater?
The average lifespan of a properly maintained gas or electric water heater is 12 to 13 years, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). ACEEE looks at life-cycle costs, which takes into account both initial and operating costs of different water heaters, to provide a much more accurate picture of the true cost of a water heater beyond the purchase price. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, storage water heaters last 10 to 15 years on average.
Efficiency for a water heater will decline over time for both electric and gas units because the combustion chamber may become dirty or because there may be some damage to the tank's insulation due to corrosion. The main difference between most old and new heaters in terms of energy performance is the insulation level. Look into the combustion chamber and the flue of fuel-burning units for signs of rust or water markings. A pile of rusty scale on top of the burner suggests that tainted air has damaged the flue and the efficiency of the unit may have suffered.
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