How old is my water heater?

Look at the label on the side of the heater. Many labels print the manufacture date. If yours doesn't, the date is usually hidden in the serial number, and each brand writes it differently. For example, a Rheem serial that starts with 1209 was made in December 2009, and an A.O. Smith serial that starts with 1512 was made in week 12 of 2015. Snap the label and we'll work it out.

The U.S. Department of Energy says tank water heaters last about 10 to 15 years, heat pump water heaters about 10 to 15 years, and tankless water heaters about 20 years. Hard water, skipped maintenance, and heavy use can shorten that.

Much of Southern California has hard water, which leaves sediment in tanks and scale in tankless heaters. Plan on flushing a tank, or descaling a tankless heater, about once a year. If an older tank has never been flushed, have a plumber do the first one, since draining it can stir up sediment and start a leak at the drain valve.

Yes. California Health and Safety Code section 19211 says new, replacement, and existing residential water heaters must be braced, anchored, or strapped to resist falling or moving in an earthquake. The usual setup is two straps, one in the upper third and one in the lower third of the tank.

Typical ranges from our price table: a tank water heater replacement runs about $1,200 to $2,500, and a tankless installation about $2,500 to $5,000. These are estimates, not quotes. Get a written quote, and ask whether the permit and earthquake straps are included.

We decode the serial number date for Rheem, Ruud, Richmond, A.O. Smith, State, American, Reliance, U.S. Craftmaster, Whirlpool, and Bradford White. For other brands, like Rinnai, Navien, Noritz, and Takagi, we use the date printed on the label if there is one. If not, you pick the age range.

No. Your phone resizes the photo first, which also removes location data. The photo is sent to our AI provider, OpenAI, to read the label, and we don't store the photo or your answers.

No. It's a quick guide based on the label and your answers. Only a plumber who sees the heater can tell you its real condition. If you see a leak or smell gas, use the safety steps on our safety guide first.