Making A House A Home

Moving into a new home can be an exciting process. Making your new space feel like home will likely take some time and effort. While changing wall colors and making other changes will probably be high on your priority list for some time, it's also important to take a close look at other areas of the home. One appliance in your home that you may want to take a closer look at after moving in is your water heater. Your water heater is probably something that you don't give much thought to until you are left without hot water. Here are three things that you should consider about your new home's water heater.

Its Age

The first thing that you should do after moving into your new home, or even before moving in, is to determine how old the current water heater is. Eventually water heaters will break down and need to be replaced after a certain amount of time has passed. The older your water heater, the more likely it will need to be replaced. Traditional, tank-style water heaters typically last between 8 and 12 years, while tankless water heaters can last upwards of 20 years. If your water heater is near the end of its typical lifespan, you may want to consider replacing it.

Its Condition

Even if your water heater is relatively new, it may not be in the best shape. A lack of regular care and maintenance as well as hard water can shorten your water heater's lifespan. Even if your water heater is functioning well when you move in, previous owners may not have maintained it properly. Water heater repair may be needed if your system has not been maintained properly in the past. On average, water heater repairs cost between $244 and $576. 

The Cost of Replacement

As with the other appliances in your home, it's always a good idea to save for the cost of future replacement. Eventually, you will need to switch out your current water heater with a new one, and anticipating these costs is a good long-term strategy. The average cost of replacing a traditional water heater with a tank is around $889, while a tankless water heater will cost around $3,000. Having this money set aside can come in handy in the future.

If you are moving into a new home, there are a few things that you should know about your new water heater. First, it's important to know how old it is and whether or not it will likely need replacing soon. Its condition is also important. If it hasn't been maintained, repairs may be needed. You may also want to look into the cost of replacement. Eventually, this is an expense that you will likely need to cover.