Water leaking from the plastic faucet on a residential electric water heater sitting on a concrete floor.
Out of all the energy consumed in a typical New York home, 17% goes to heating water, according to the EIA. That’s quite a chunk of your monthly utility bills.

Water heaters typically lose efficiency over time and can cause hundreds or even thousands of dollars of water damage if they ultimately fail and rupture. It doesn’t hurt to be educated and save money in the long run by preventing water heater failures!

Lack of Water Heater Maintenance

Water heaters, like most major appliances in your home, require regular maintenance. Water heaters typically have strict warranties that require annual flushings and inspections.

The unfortunate reality is that most homeowners don’t do this! With a void warranty, you won’t be able to replace your water heater if something out of the ordinary cuts its life short.

Even without a warranty, regular flushing can help your system. Sediment can build up in your tank and cause poor performance. Additionally, if there are enough mineral deposits, your system can produce loud noises while it runs.

Leaks

Watch out for leaks and puddles around your water heater, especially around the base. Even a small pool of water can be a sign of a significant issue. If you do spot some water by your unit, dry it completely and come back in two hours. If you see a small puddle again, then it’s probably time to contact us to go and look at it.

Age

No matter how great your water heater is, it will have to retire eventually. As they say, Father Time is undefeated. On a serious note, do you know how old your water heater is? You can find out by looking at the serial number. If it’s over a decade old, it’s probably time to start thinking about getting a new one. Don’t be afraid to start shopping around for a water heater because you could need one sooner than you think!