How old is my water heater?
Your water heater's serial number has its manufacture date hidden inside it. Pick your brand, type the serial number off the label, and we'll tell you its real age and roughly how many years it has left.
The serial number is on the rating label on the side of the tank, usually near the top.
How long should a water heater last?
10 yrs Tank water heater
A standard tank unit typically lasts 8–12 years. Past that, leaks and failures get much more likely.
20 yrs Tankless water heater
Tankless units last about twice as long — roughly 20 years — when they're descaled and maintained.
Lifespan depends on the type of unit, not the exact model — so a brand-and-serial lookup tells you the age, and the age tells you how much life is left. Hard water and skipped maintenance shorten it.