Water Heater Replacement Tips for Buffalo-Area Homeowners

Most basement water heaters give some warning before they fail. Planning a replacement before a leak means you can compare options and quotes instead of taking whatever is on the truck. Here is what to look for and what to ask.

Quick diagnosis checklist

  1. Age. Check the serial number or label for the manufacture date. Many tank water heaters are replaced somewhere around the 10-year mark, though life varies with water quality and maintenance. If yours is in that range, start planning rather than waiting for a leak.
  2. Rust-colored hot water or rust at the base. Corrosion inside the tank. Rust or moisture at the base of the tank is a sign to plan replacement soon.
  3. Rumbling or popping. Sediment build-up on the bottom of the tank. Flushing can help, but on an older tank it is often a sign of reduced efficiency.
  4. Not enough hot water. Could be sediment, a failed element (electric) or a tank that is too small for the household.
  5. Water around the tank. Check the temperature and pressure relief valve discharge pipe and the fittings first. A leak from the tank itself means replacement.

Choosing a type

Storage tanks are the most common and lowest up-front cost. Tankless (on-demand) units provide continuous hot water but must be sized to your peak flow and may need gas line or venting upgrades. Heat pump water heaters are much more efficient than standard electric tanks; they pull heat from the surrounding air, so a basement location works well and they also dehumidify. The DOE suggests comparing fuel type, size, energy efficiency and overall cost.

Sizing

Tanks are sized by first-hour rating (gallons of hot water per hour starting from a full tank), and tankless units by flow rate at your temperature rise. Lake Erie water is cold in winter, so tankless units in WNY need to handle a large temperature rise.

What to ask your plumber

Is the price for the unit, installation, permit, haul-away and any code updates (expansion tank, venting, drain pan, seismic or gas fittings)? What is the tank and labor warranty? Is the venting compatible with the new unit?

DIY or call a pro?

Homeowners can check the age, test the relief valve per the manufacturer's instructions, and flush sediment. Replacing a gas water heater involves gas piping and venting, and many WNY municipalities require a permit and a licensed plumber; check with your town or city building department before work starts.

Frequently asked questions

Should I repair or replace?

Replacing a thermostat, element or anode can make sense on a younger tank. If the tank itself leaks, it must be replaced.

Does hard water shorten water heater life?

Scale build-up reduces efficiency and can shorten life. See our guide to hard water in Erie County.

How much does replacement cost?

See our Buffalo water heater replacement cost guide for published ranges.

Sources

  1. US Department of Energy, Selecting a New Water Heater
  2. US Department of Energy, Storage Water Heaters

Who to call

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