Should I replace a water heater preemptively?

Question

I have a conventional gas-fired 40-gallon hot-water heater in my basement. It currently works fine, and there is no visible rust on it or pipes near it, but it turned 20 years old a few months ago.

I was thinking of having it replaced because I assume it will fail within the next few years given its age. Is this reasonable, or would I be throwing money away to replace something that still works fine?

For context: The water tank sits on top of an old hardwood floor in my unfinished basement (yes, for whatever reason someone installed hardwood flooring directly over the dirt floor in my basement, even though the space is just used for storage), and I'm 75 percent sure I will stay in my house for at least the next 5-10 years.

Answer 1

The average life of a water heater is about ten years. Newer models are a lot more energy efficient as well. Given the age of your water heater, it has more than done it's duty. You don't have to replace it, but if it's in your budget I would recommend replacing it. You don't want to get in an emergency situation. I would also consider adding a concrete pad or at the very least, a drain pan underneath your new one. That flooring situation is definitely not ideal.

Inspect your water heater:

• Flush the water to remove any sediment.
• Have a certified plumber take a look at the igniter and burner to make certain everything is safe.
• Check for signs of rust around the bottom of the tank and at all of the fittings. If you spot rust around the water inlet or pressure relief valve on the heater, it’s likely that rust is also inside the tank.

You can find out the exact age of your water heater by looking at the serial number on the manufacturers sticker:

Answer 2

No you should not replace it until it needs it, if it has been flushed regularly and the anode has been replaced water heaters can last much longer than the 10 year life some expect. With proper maintenance and good water quality I have seen water heaters last even longer so why toss a fully functional water heater that may last another 10 years. Today's appliances are cheaper and in my opinion designed to require more maintenance. You will also probably need a new outlet to power the ignighter, closed fire boxes also require a different type of venting that your current water heater dosenot have. Check into all the cost prior to tossing a functional water heater you may be shocked.