Water Heater

[jltimm]

I had a outdoor wood boiler installed last fall, and now when I go and shut it down I have no hot water from the water heater without the boiler heating it. The water heater is about 12 years old. Whats the life expectancy of a electric water heater?

[youngie22]

about 12 years! any where from 8-20

[BobT]

Life expectancy of the heating elements will be dramatically influenced by the water. What I mean is, as long as the water is able to pull the heat away from the elements, they can work almost indefinitely. Typically what happens is a build-up of minerals and other impurities collect on the elements causing hot spots which eventually cause heater failure. Depending on how soft your water is and whether it is filtered before going into the heater, your elements can last like younie22 says - anywhere from a couple years to a couple decades. The heater tank life can also be very variable. Mine is guaranteed for life but my last steel one only lasted 5 years before rusting through.

[jltimm]

Got it fixed. Replaced the elements and the thermostat.