Water heaters that use hot water tanks usually last about ten years. Naturally, this is only an average. If you get lucky and maintain your hot water tank, it might last you almost twice as long. On the other hand, it’s not unheard of for a water tank to fail after only two or three years. If you do need to replace your water heater, you have several decisions to make. With hot water tanks, the key to performance is how much hot water is being stored and how efficiently the tank is being insulated. Other decisions involve which heat source to use (gas, oil, electric, or solar), the size and shape of the tank, what type of insulation you need, whether to use thermal stores, whether your hot water heater is going to be part of your central heating. Many of these decisions may already be made for you, depending on your home and the climate where you live. Talking to a local contractor is the best way to determine what will work best for your particular situation and needs. If you think it may be time to replace your water heater, call AquaTech Plumbing at (630) 416-3555, (630) 377-9555, or (630) 462-3555, for more information.