What we verified in “Water heater: when to repair it and when to replace it”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Saver Guide, most storage water heaters last 10 to 15 years, and tankless water heaters can last more than 20 years.

   Sources 1 · Energy Saver Guide (2022), 'Buying Water Heaters': 'Most storage water heaters last 10-15 years, while tankless water heaters can last more than 20 years.' · Checked November 6, 2026

2. According to the DOE, a new energy-efficient water heater may cost more at first than repairing the old one or buying a less efficient model, but the energy savings continue over its lifetime; when choosing a new one, look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels; heat pump, high-efficiency gas storage, gas tankless and solar water heaters carry the ENERGY STAR label; electric storage and electric tankless models are not eligible because they are already highly efficient.

   Sources 1 · Energy Saver Guide (2022), 'Buying Water Heaters': 'While a new energy efficient water heater may cost more initially than repairing an old model or buying a new, less efficient model, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance'; 'look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels'; 'Heat pump, high-efficiency gas storage, gas tankless, and solar water heaters all have the ENERGY STAR label'; 'Electric storage tank and electric tankless water heaters are not ENERGY STAR eligible because they are already highly efficient' · Checked November 6, 2026

3. According to the DOE, gas tankless water heaters heat water without a storage tank; in homes that use 41 gallons of hot water a day or less, they can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than a storage model, and 8% to 14% more in homes that use a lot of hot water, around 86 gallons a day.

   Sources 1 · Energy Saver Guide (2022), 'Buying Water Heaters': 'On-demand or tankless water heaters (gas) heat water directly without using a storage tank. For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, on-demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water; around 86 gallons per day.' · Checked November 6, 2026

4. According to the DOE, there are four main ways to cut water-heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the water heater's thermostat, insulate the water heater and pipes, or buy a more efficient model; it recommends setting the water heater to 120 °F, a temperature it considers safe for most people, and draining a quart of water from the tank every 3 months to remove sediment, following the manufacturer's directions; and it says insulating a tank that is warm to the touch can save 7% to 16% a year.

   Sources 1 · Energy Saver Guide (2022), 'Water Heating': 'There are four primary ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water; turn down the thermostat on your water heater; insulate your water heater and pipes; or buy a new, more efficient model'; 'If your hot water tank is warm to the touch, consider insulating it to save 7%–16% annually'; 'Set your water heater temperature to 120ºF, a temperature considered safe for most of the population'; 'Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.' · Checked November 6, 2026

5. According to ENERGY STAR, heat pump (also called hybrid) water heaters should be installed in indoor spaces that stay between 40 °F and 90 °F all year, with about 1,000 cubic feet of air around them; they can cool the space they are in; it is best to plan the replacement before it becomes an emergency, because the installer may need time to order the model; the capacity of your current water heater is on its nameplate or yellow EnergyGuide sticker; you should see whether the company will get the local permit when needed; its partners sponsor rebates on certified products, and its page has a rebate finder by zip code.

   Sources 2 · ENERGY STAR, Heat Pump Water Heaters: 'HPWHs should be installed in interior spaces that remain between 40° to 90° F year-round, and provide 1,000 cubic feet of air space around the water heater'; 'can cool the spaces they are in'; 'plan ahead for your next water heater replacement'; 'before it's an emergency'; 'Your installer may need time to order the proper model'; 'You can find the water heater's capacity or volume on its nameplate or yellow Energy Guide sticker'; 'See if the company will obtain a local permit if necessary'; 'Our partners sponsor rebates on certified products'; 'Use the Rebate Finder to determine whether there are rebates available for ENERGY STAR certified water heaters in your zip code' · Checked November 6, 2026

6. According to ENERGY STAR, ideally you will find a local contractor who can assess your site, give recommendations, install the system and then maintain it; heat pump water heaters may need yearly maintenance, such as changing air filters; and in colder places, with colder incoming water, they may switch for a time to a standard electric back-up mode in the cold months, which raises energy use during those months.

   Sources 2 · ENERGY STAR, Heat Pump Water Heaters: 'Ideally, you will find a local contractor who can assess your site, provide recommendations, install a system, and then perform periodic maintenance'; 'HPWHs may also require annual maintenance, including changing air filters'; 'In colder environments with lower incoming water temperature HPWHs may need to go temporarily into a back-up standard electric water heating mode'; 'This will increase energy use during these months' · Checked November 6, 2026

7. According to the IRS, the federal energy efficient home improvement credit, which covered water heaters, could be claimed for improvements made through December 31, 2025.

   Sources 3 · IRS, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: 'You can claim the credit for improvements made through December 31, 2025'; '$2,000 per year for qualified heat pumps, water heaters, biomass stoves or biomass boilers' · Checked November 6, 2026

8. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas; it recommends battery-operated or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas; the symptoms of poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness and confusion; and if you suspect poisoning, get outside to fresh air right away and call 911.

   Sources 4 · CPSC, Carbon Monoxide Information Center: 'a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas'; 'Install battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas'; 'headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion'; 'get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 911' · Checked November 6, 2026

9. For example, Nevada's weatherization program includes water heater upgrades or repairs, and says that for approved homeowners and renters all services are provided at no cost.

   Sources 5 · Nevada Housing Division, Weatherization Assistance Program: 'HVAC, refrigerator, and/or water heater upgrades/repairs'; 'For approved homeowners and renters, all services are provided at no cost.' · Checked November 6, 2026

10. According to the DOE, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is run in each state; income is a main factor: households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or that receive SSI, are eligible under DOE rules, and each state may use LIHEAP's limit of 60% of state median income; homeowners and renters can apply, and if you qualify you are placed on a waitlist.

    Sources 6 · DOE, How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: 'administered at the state and local level'; 'Households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines or that receive Supplemental Security Income are considered under DOE guidelines as eligible'; '60% of state-median income'; 'Both homeowners and renters are eligible to apply'; 'your name will be placed on a waitlist' · Checked November 6, 2026

11. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), get multiple estimates; a written estimate should include a description of the work, the materials, the completion date and the price; don't automatically choose the lowest bidder, and ask for an explanation if there's a big difference among them.

    Sources 7 · FTC, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam: 'Get multiple estimates. A written estimate should include a description of the work to be done, materials, completion date, and the price. Don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder. And ask for an explanation if there’s a big difference among the estimates.' · Checked November 6, 2026