How Long Do Hybrid Water Heaters Last?

Are you considering purchasing a hybrid water heater but unsure how long it will last? Or are you thinking about switching from a conventional water heater or tankless unit to a hybrid water heater and are curious about which one has longevity?

Knowing how long your hybrid water heater will last is important because you gain a better sense of how long you have with your water heater. Additionally, understanding what different factors affect the lifespan of your hybrid water heater can provide you with a better understanding of how to get the most out of your unit.

Here at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we work with thousands of properties and homeowners to properly install, repair, and replace water heaters. Through that process, we have helped people just like you figure out how long their water heater will last and if choosing a hybrid water heater is the right option for them.

In these next few sections, we are going to touch on:

• How long your hybrid water heater will last
• What factors affect the lifespan of your hybrid water heater
• How you can get the most out of your hybrid water heater

By the end of this article, you will know how to make your tank-style water heater stand the test of time.

Lifespan of Hybrid Water Heaters

A hybrid water heater, also known as hybrid heat pump water heaters or heat pump water heaters, is a tank-style water heater that combines a traditional water heater and a tankless water heater. A hybrid water heater uses heat from the outside air to heat the water that comes into your home with the help of a heat pump (and electricity) and works as a refrigerator in reverse to heat the water coming into your home.

On average, hybrid water heaters can last anywhere from 13 to 15 years. However, when used and maintained appropriately, it can even last for over 15 years.

But how do you get the most out of your hybrid water heater? The lifespan of your hybrid water heater relies on a few different factors, including:

• Maintenance: It is important to service your hybrid water heater at least once a year to ensure your water heater is problem-free and working properly. If you don’t perform this necessary water heater maintenance, minor problems could turn into critical issues that would damage your hybrid unit.
• Installation: While installing a hybrid water heater yourself is possible, we recommend that you call a certified technician to install your hybrid water heater. There are too many important steps that need to go exactly right during the installation process to avoid bigger problems in the future, such as a crack in the tank or a leak.
• Hard Water: If you are like most Southern Californians, you likely have something called “hard water.” This harsh water will cause more sediment to build up in your tank and pipes, which will lead to breakdowns or error codes. If you don’t flush or drain your tank and pipes regularly, this buildup can damage your water heater and significantly shorten its lifespan.Check out this article here as we walk you through the steps on how to drain a tank-style water heater as it is a similar process to how you can also flush your hybrid water heater.
• Warranty: The length of your warranty will have a definite impact on the longevity of your water heater. Once your unit is out of the warranty range, repairs will no longer be covered, depending on the brand.

Prolonging the Lifespan of Your Hybrid Water Heater

We now know what to look for when it comes time to get maintenance done on your hybrid water heater but now you must be wondering, “Well, how do I avoid all that and make my water heater last its full life?”

Prolonging the lifespan of your hybrid water heater relies on two main factors:

• Maintenance: One of the top ways to get the most out of your hybrid water heater is to get yearly maintenance done on your unit. Lack of maintenance will cause early breakdowns regardless if you have water filtration or not. As mentioned before, maintenance, such as draining your hybrid water heater, is super important!
• Hard Water: Another way to prolong the life of your hybrid water heater is to reduce the amount of hard water coming into your home. If you are in an area that has hard water, like much of Los Angeles, it is highly recommended that you get water filtration to prevent early breakdowns. Not having water filtration with hard water can slowly start to cause a leak in the heat exchanger or early failure of parts inside the unit.

So, while keeping up with maintenance is important, having water filtration serves as that extra protection for your hybrid water heater. Read this article here to learn more about hard water and its effects on your hybrid water heater as well as other fixtures in your home.

Long Live Hybrid Water Heaters

So, to recap, we touched on what a hybrid water heater is, how long it lasts, what signs to look for when it’s time to get maintenance done on your unit, and how to prolong its lifespan. With proper maintenance and water filtration, a hybrid water heater can last over 15 years.

There are also key signs such as rumbling/popcorn noises, scale buildup, or a leaking water heater that show it is time for maintenance on your tank. The best way to prolong your hybrid water heater and avoid early breakdowns is to have yearly maintenance and install water filtration to filter out the hard water.

Want to continue your water heater knowledge? Click the link below to learn more about how to properly drain or flush your hybrid water heater, which is similar to a tank-style water heater.

Six Steps to Drain a Water Heater

We here at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric have been dedicated to giving you the most accurate information to make the best decision for yourself and your home since 2007. If you live in the Los Angeles area and have any further questions about hybrid water heaters or their maintenance, feel free to call us at (818) 213-1773, and one of our call center representatives will be happy to help you.