When Is the Right Time to Replace Your Water Heater?

Lifespan and Causes of Ageing in a Water Heater

The average lifespan of a water heater or hot water tank is estimated at around 10 years. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on several factors — including the model, the quality of your water (especially its hardness or calcium content), and how well the appliance has been maintained over time.

Signs That Your Water Heater Is Wearing Out

Certain issues may indicate that your water heater is reaching the end of its useful life:

• You don’t have enough hot water throughout the day.
• The water never gets truly hot and remains lukewarm, even when the tank is full.
• You have no hot water at all, even though the tank is full.

The main enemy of a water heater is, ironically, water itself. Depending on where you live, your water may be classified as either “hard” or “soft.”

• Hard water contains high levels of magnesium and calcium. These minerals cause limescale buildup, which can be both protective and harmful: while they form a thin layer that shields the tank, they also damage the heating element responsible for warming the water.
• Soft water, on the other hand, can be particularly corrosive. It contains particles such as chlorides, sulfates, and nitrates that, over the years, gradually erode the inner surface of the tank.

When Should You Replace Your Water Heater?

So, when exactly should you consider replacing your water heater — whether it’s an electric model or a heat pump water heater?

It may be worth changing your water heater even if it hasn’t broken down. If you notice that your supply of domestic hot water is no longer sufficient for your household’s needs, your current model or its capacity might simply not be suited to your usage.

Replacing a Water Heater That Isn’t Broken

Yes, you can replace a water heater that’s still working perfectly fine. Here are a few situations where it makes sense:

• If you regularly run out of hot water:
  Your water heater’s capacity may be too small for your household. Upgrading to a larger tank could resolve this issue.
• If you occasionally run out of hot water:
  A water heater with specific features could make all the difference. For instance, models equipped with “Boost” or smart connectivity functions can temporarily increase hot water production to meet peak demand.
• If you believe your water consumption is too high:
  Choose a model designed with energy- and water-saving features — or consider switching to a heat pump water heater, which offers much greater efficiency.

Replace Your Water Heater to Increase Its Capacity

It may be a good idea to replace your water heater if you consistently find that your domestic hot water supply isn’t sufficient — even if the appliance itself isn’t defective.

An undersized tank inevitably leads to cold showers! If you don’t have enough hot water for the whole family throughout the day, your current heater might simply be too small.

In addition to showers or baths (for which you should consider an even larger capacity), you must also account for other uses — such as washing hands, cleaning dishes by hand, or doing laundry.

Replace Your Water Heater to Have More Hot Water When You Need It

Aside from increasing the tank’s capacity, you can also choose a smarter model that gives you more flexibility.

Modern connected water heaters include useful features such as Boost Mode, which temporarily increases hot water production. This helps you handle exceptional demand, like when guests visit or on busy weekends.

Boost Mode can be activated directly from the Cozytouch app.

It may also be worth choosing a model equipped with Eco+ Mode, which allows the heater to automatically adjust its heating schedule based on your recent hot water consumption. This way, you get personalized comfort while saving energy at the same time.